Director: Joe Johnston
Starring: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell and Hugo Weaving
‘A Captivating Comic-Book Classic’
Not many actresses In Hollywood have made powerful movies with stories to tell like Hayley Atwell. Ever since her rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Atwell has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s bold soldiers, spies in dangers or frustrated mothers, Atwell has played several interesting characters. Arguably, Atwell’s best strength as an actress has been her powerful commitment towards her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always poured both her heart and soul into every role. Atwell has never been afraid to take risks in her career by playing complex women that aren’t commonly likeable. An actress with strong commitment to her craft, Atwell has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Through her ability to portray women that audiences can easily relate to, she has become an actress that audiences value. Throughout an impressive career, Atwell has made several memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a big fan of Atwell and adore all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Captain America: The First Avenger” is without a doubt my favourite. Ever since its release in 2011, Joe Johnstown’s movie has stood a test of time as a comic-book classic. Packed with captivating production design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Marvel films ever made. At a centre of it all is a superb performance by Hayley Atwell, who embodies an agent which falls in love with a superhero. Ultimately, what makes “Captain America: The First Avenger” a comic-book classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating comic-book masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Captain America: The First Avenger” is a movie that is definitely worth seeing.
Set during World War II, “Captain America: the First Avenger” tells the story of a brave soldier that seeks to make his dream come true. Chris Evans depicts Steve Rogers, a sickly man with severe health issues. Steve has always had a dream of participating in warfare. When he is given the rare opportunity to become a super soldier, Steve is given the chances to make his dreams come true. Becoming the super soldier Captain America, Steve embarks on a journey to find identity in a troubled war era. However, Steve’s hopes of being a hero changes when he falls in love causing disaster. Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) is a fierce feminist agent that assists Steve in his efforts to prevent warfare. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Steve questions whether it’s possible for him to become a solider. Faced with a dilemma, Steve begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to prevent war in America.
Joe Johnston is a newcomer toward stories of superheroes. Before he had directed “Captain America: The First Avenger”, Johnston hadn’t made a comic-book movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour a beloved comic-book hero’s legacy but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Johnston captures a soldier embarking upon a journey to find his identity. Inspired by Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”, Johnston uses montages to capture tensions which a soldier in WWII is often facing. For instance, montages elevate the training scene. During this unforgettable scene, Steve Rogers trains for warfare causing despair. Through powerful montages, Johnston creates a hero audiences can easily relate to. Montages are tricky to use in movies. As Gurinder Chadha’s “Blinded by the Light” suggested, montages elevate commemorated music biopics about singers. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Johnston captures frightening hardships that a soldier on a mission is facing.
Another strong aspect of “Captain America: The First Avenger” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Johnson uses stunning costumes to capture female agents in position of power. Throughout the film, Peggy’s costumes showcase her position of power as a warfare leader. For instance, costumes design elevates the speech scene. During this intense scene, Peggy gives speech seeking to prepare soldiers for warfare. Through strong costumes, Johnston creates a feminist heroine audiences can relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which war veterans bear. Through strong production, Johnston captures the lives of soldiers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Captain America: The First Avenger” is a comic-book film that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture the lives of soldiers facing tension. For instance, silence elevates the transformation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Steve undergoes a drastic scientific experiment to transform into a muscular superhero. Johnston effectively uses silence to capture the life of a soldier facing a disturbance. Silence is a tricky technique to use in comic-book movies. As John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” proved clearly, silence elevates horror movies about silence survival. Steven Spielberg’s “Schindlers List” claimed that silence enhances films about the Holocaust. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Johnston captures the lives of agents facing a pride to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Hayley Atwell delivers one of her best career performances as Agent Carte. Atwell first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic period pieces. With “Captain America: the First Avenger”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a commemorated comic book character but Atwell succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. Atwell has often excelled at playing strong women with success, and “Captain America: the First Avenger” showcased her strength as an actress. With riveting expressions, Atwell caprices the angst, desperation and grief of a commemorated agent facing tension. It’s a strong performance from one of the most celebrated young British actresses that is working today.
Chris Evans is captivating as a soldier going on a tough mission causing tension. Evans has excelled at playing superheroes seeking to save the world from danger, and “Captain America: the First Avenger” showcased his strength as an actor. Whether he’s seeking to discover harsh reality of warfare or embarking on an embarking mission, Evans uses powerful body language to create a superhero which is compelling. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most iconic American actors currently working today.
Finally, “Captain America: the First Avenger” would earn appreciation of everyone capturing soldiers that face trauma. Unlike most Marvel films, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses relatable themes such as identity, warfare and trauma which definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Captain America to acknowledge it. It delivers a meaningful message about value of identity which will resonate with everyone. Therefore; “Captain America: the First Avenger” is one of those rare Marvel films everyone will adore.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking comic-book film about a captain seeking to participate in warfare becoming an icon in America, it’s a riveting reminder of a British actress with charisma that has portrayed compelling women facing a dilemma in movies that are definitely worth watching in the Cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 