Film Review: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

At last, the summer of superheroes has come to an end and with it the seemingly unending string of origin stories that set up the upcoming The Avengers (2012) movie.  Hollywood has given audiences some of the best comic-book adaptations it can offer this summer, such as X-Men: First Class (2011), and also the worst, like Green Lantern (2011).  Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) falls squarely in between, somewhere alongside Thor (2011) if not slightly better.  It has stronger emotional resonance, largely because of the main character’s everyman status and humility and also because it features one of the more compelling comic-book romances to date.  However, it cannot escape the drawbacks of telling an origin story, in particular an Avengers one.  In other words, when the credits roll (and especially after The Avengers teaser trailer at the end of the credits), you can’t help but feel you just watched half of a movie or simply an extended preview of the upcoming mega-blockbuster; in fact, its ending is comparable to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and leaves you somewhat unsatisfied.

Nonetheless, Captain America is more fun than you would expect, given several mediocre-to-bad adaptations making audiences apathetic rather than fan-crazy about Hollywood’s next superhero flick.  It has a neat retro/futuristic-vibe, solid action sequences, though admittedly with diminishing return, and engaging performances that help develop a surprising bit of heart layered into the generally hokey nature of the character and film.  Overall, it is above average but nothing exceptional.  Furthermore, while it fails to emulate the greatness of its obvious inspiration from Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Star Wars, it has some great references to the classics and parts feel similarly entertaining.  In sum, it should exceed most viewers’ lowered expectations by providing them with a quality, albeit less-than-unforgettable, summer blockbuster that teeters to stand on its own as a compelling action period piece.

Film Review: Thor (2011)

Don’t be fooled by the absurd looking previews or pictures; Thor is fantastic, in both senses of the word though.  I, too, had low expectations for it after seeing the initial trailers, which makes it look as tacky as the rest of this year’s superhero flicks, but given the talented cast and director I should’ve known better than to doubt or completely cast it aside.  In fact, some consider it to be Marvel Studios best movie since Iron Man (2008) or even Spiderman 2 (2004).  Still, despite its parallels to Shakespeare, thanks to director Kenneth Branagh’s knowledge and experience in bringing the famous poet’s writings to the big screen, this film isn’t the deepest or most complex; it is definitely a summer blockbuster meant to entertain, but it does have certain elements that elevate it beyond simple amusement.  In sum, Thor is marvelous (pun intended) entertainment and fun fueled by its charismatic lead actor, Chris Hemsworth, sumptuous action and a bit of humor.  Moreover, it is not simply “an extended teaser” for the upcoming The Avengers (2012) movie, despite numerous S.H.I.E.L.D. appearances and references, as it stands on its own as a solid comic-book/fantasy tale.