Paramount Studios's
Captain America is a great film and should be on the short list of anyone's Holiday list to view or own on DVD. It is filled with action, suspense and solid patriotic heroism while the movie's production is crisp, clean and visually stunning.
Captain America's director, Joe Johnson (October Sky, The Wolfman), successfully integrates the look and feel of classic movies and comic books, which is a good fit for the World War 2-themed story of an intelligent weakling-turned superhero.
With Hugo Weaving and Toby Jones as the evil villains, Tommy Lee Jones for occasional comedy relief, Stanley Tucci for Rogers' emotional connection, and Hayley Atwell as the love interest, Captain America certainly has his hands full. Including keeping tabs on the rag tag band of war heroes that accompany him on his missions against the rogue, Nazi-on-steroids-oriented HYDRA organization.
In the first half we see the origin and seeds of heroism in Steve Rogers who aspires not only to help to defeat the Nazis but also acompany his best friend on the battle field. Moviegoers will also witness the bond between Rogers and Stanley Tucci's character that solidifies when the German scientist hand picks Rogers for the super soldier job. Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter is not only stunningly beautiful, her stength is a good match for Rogers and his alter ego. Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull is very convincing as he tries to out Nazi the Nazis and plots to destroy the West similar in many respects to an Islamic terrorist field commander with a souped up sports vehicle and bat-shaped bomber to boot.
The reference to 9/11 is very clear in the movie too. In the 10th year of the worst attack in American history is crystal clear and appropriate that
Captain America has a better grasp on how to defeat
Islamofascists than Clinton, Bush or Obama combined. Rogers goes right to the source of the problem in a (rightly) merciless attack against a mystic-oriented, collectivist enemy.
Throughout the movie, Captain America fights for the things he values which are his freedom and his country. He does this with the help of Americans of all ages, races and walks of life with can-do Americanism rolled in for good measure.
Liberals (and some
libertarians) have already jeered at the overall patriotic theme and symbolism of
Captain America especially since Steve Rogers's iron-willed girlfriend reflects the same values he has and both character's refusal to cower in fear of the barbarians they oppose. It is Atwell and Rogers who (rightly) take the initiative to combat and even kill the enemy by taking up arms. In a well-deserved hit directed to
apologists and appeasers it is only the State Department that wants to avoid conflict by trying to win hearts and minds.
This is not to say that Steve Rogers is uncaring, without emotion or encompasses a robotic, Vulcan-style ethic. He is unafraid to express his grief over the loss of those he loves and cares for while prefering to ally himself with people, though different, who reflect his values to fulfill Rogers's vow to defeat the enemy while defending the country he loves. We also see his artistic talent not only in his designing his own costume but also his willingness to perform in musicals. Rogers continuously thinks and fights in order to achieve his goal of victory. While he is not always successful and can't save everyone, he conducts his crusade with passion during every instance of conflict. He's proud to be an American and fight for his country and it shows.
Captain America isn't just great quality entertainment, it's also got fantastic messages of pride and patriotism behind it. I went to see the movie in theaters twice not only because it is well made but also for the symbolism I outline above. These reasons alone make it the best movie of 2011 and Captain America should be on everyone's gift list to own on DVD or view this Holiday Season.
