MCU in Review: Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America's shield - WorldArtsMe

The next movie in Phase One of the MCU is Captain America: The First Avenger. Set during World War II, this movie lets us see the origins of Steve Rogers and what exactly happened to him. 

The film moves quickly and is plenty action packed. And especially well cast. 

Capt. Steve Rogers, Captain America(Chris Evans) - Pintrest

Chris Evans returns to Marvel, this time as Steve Rogers. His previous role for the company was as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch in Fantastic Four. This was done well before the MCU was begun. The iconic Captain is a different person entirely and Evans handles the challenge well. He emotes the determination, duty, and morality effortlessly. Evans is so believable that you easily lose him in story and character. The important part of this is that the transformation doesn't change the man and this is well executed. While there were several other considered for the role, Marvel insisted on Chris, and I for one, can't imagine anyone else in the part.

Sgt. James 'Bucky' Barnes(Sebastian Stan) - Thoughts from a Marvel Nerd

Steve's best friend, Bucky Barnes, is played by Sebastian Stan. He plays the part with a lightness and a good sense of humor. Barnes is protective of Steve, especially given that in the beginning of the movie we get a good look at Rogers' medical history, which is the main reason he is rejected from the military. While he is a minor character, Stan's Barnes is highly memorable and his personality and change after capture by Hydra feels natural.

Agent Peggy Carter(Hayley Atwell) - Nerdcore Movement

Hayley Atwell is Agent Peggy Carter. She is probably one of the best used female characters in the MCU, other then Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts. Carter is headstrong and has no problem fighting to get what she deserves. She doesn't take crap from anyone and will not be reduced to just a 'love interest.' Where other Marvel women are usually pushed to the background or weakly written, it is hard to forget Carter or her determination. 

Johann Schmidt/Red Skull(Hugo Weaving) and Dr. Arnim Zola(Toby Jones) - Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki

Unfortunately, like several of the films before it, First Avenger suffers from ill written villains. While head of Hydra, Johann Schmidt and his lackey, Dr. Arnim Zola are well cast, they come off as one dimensional. Hugo Weaving's Red Skull is pretty much consumed by a quest for the ultimate power source for his weapons, the Tessaract, the 'jewel of Odin's treasure room.' Toby Jones' Dr. Zola seems to be merely a puppet figure. Neither is relate-able by any means and we never know how they got to the positions they are in.

The film is almost as good as Iron Man, but not quite. What it lacks in strong bad guys, it makes up for in well written and well played heroes. 

It also does a decent job of setting up for the next film, The Avengers. The end credit scene is replaced by a trailer for the team up film, which does not do a good job of maintaining the secrecy of the main antagonist. A very brief clip shows Loki, presumed dead at the end of Thor (if you didn't watch the Thor end credit scene, that is) being marched along a hall by a group of soldiers. 

Nonetheless, the next film is one to be excited for.