Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • August 3, 2011 ‘Captain America’ is superhero with stage presence by Dennis Seuling This is the summer of superheroes. Audiences have already seen the exploits of Thor, the Green Lantern, and the X-Men. Now along comes “Captain America: The First Avenger,” a comic book hero who made his bow nine months before Pearl Harbor as the dynamic adversary of the Nazis and worldwide fascism. The new film is true to the comic book origin story with its setting in the 1940s, amazing gadgetry, a sort of love interest, appropriate bits of humor, and the assistance of computergenerated images (CGI) that make the retro world come to life. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a scrawny kid who wants nothing more than to join the armed services and fight for his country, but his extensive list of medical conditions has rendered him 4F each of the five times he has attempted to enlist. Spotted at a recruiting station by an expatriated German scientist (Stanley Tucci), Steve is finally accepted so he can participate in a secret experiment. He is turned over to Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent Peggy Carter for training, where they witness Steve’s courage, intelligence, and heart. After being injected with a serum, Steve undergoes an amazing physical transformation into a musclebound warrior, while his inner decency remains intact. Steve is then sent out to war bond rallies as “Captain America” and given the whole show biz treatment: a tin shield emblazoned with the stars and stripes, a line of chorus girls, and an actor portraying Hitler, whom he “vanquishes” to the cheers of the crowds who love him. But Steve gets a reality check when he performs -or tries to -- before a group of soldiers in Italy. That is when he decides it is time to get into the real war. There is much to like in “Captain America.” First of all, the script is solid and takes its time to introduce viewers to Steve, allow us to see his ferocious dedication and persistence, and set the period in which the action takes place. It is 1940s America, and patriotism is everywhere. There is an evil enemy to be defeated, and the vast majority of Americans have rallied to Chris Evans stars as an average guy turned into powerful human fighting machine in ‘Capthe cause. The time is ripe tain America: The First Avenger.’ for a charismatic figure to lead the charge against the Nazis. Superheroes must have his nonstop schedule across America until confronted a gimmick, and Captain America’s is a shield of imper- with an audience of real fighting men. Evans turns what vious, lightweight metal that deflects bullets, fire, and might come off as a corny character into a believable, whatever else is thrown at it. It also becomes a weapon enviable guy doing his best to beat a formidable enemy. when the Captain flings it, boomerang style, against the Jones fits the role of the Colonel perfectly. Looking like a bad guys. Apart from his incredible physical prowess no-nonsense career military man, his Colonel is the skepand fearlessness, Captain America is not invulnerable. tic who resents the time, money, and resources devoted Superheroes also must have a nemesis. Steve’s is a to the experiment until circumstances change his mind. former Nazi officer who has gone rogue and has become Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter is a strong-willed woman who the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), with a goal to crush is very much at home in a male-dominated military. She can the United States and then the rest of the world with handle herself, wield weapons, and even throw an impresweapons conceived from a combination of techni- sive haymaker. She reveals a vulnerable side when she and cal innovation and the supernatural. As the Red Skull, Steve develop an attraction. Fortunately, her character never Weaving knows how to steal a scene and does so at gets in the way of the action or slows the pace of the movie. every opportunity. His make-up is appropriately ghastly. Director Joe Johnston has raised the superhero flick bar Evans works as Captain Avenger. Through CGI, his head with “Captain America: The First Avenger,” rated PG-13. has been superimposed seamlessly on a body double for He has balanced characterization with action and brought the early scenes, making him look short, scrawny, and far to life a bygone era in a movie that will entertain young less intimidating than he does after the experiment is com- viewers while also keeping adult viewers involved. The pleted. Evans displays Steve’s disappointment at being trot- origin story is told well, and the final scene serves as a ted out as a symbol rather than getting down and dirty in coming attraction of sorts for the May 2012 release of “The the actual fight. He enjoys the show biz atmosphere and Avengers.”