Patriotism is difficult to portray in this day and age. Especially in America. It’s not so much that people hate America or hate being American (lots of people do but that’s always going to happen so its not relevant). It may be that nobody’s done anything that all of America can get pissed off about in awhile (like bomb Hawaii or fly an airplane into the New York skyline). But these days, even when someone unites us in indignation, there’s a different feel. It seems like everyone is all part of a sub group and that’s what they identify themselves with that instead. They’re not American, they’re liberal or conservative or libertarian or progressive. So every reaction is tempered by these group’s respective agendas. When dickheads stole planes and flew them at the world trade center, we were temporarily reunited as one America by our indignation and horror. But soon, we divided along ideological lines and started quibbling about nothing. Which can be a little disheartening but when you think about it, that’s the beauty of this place. We are all different, we are mostly assholes, and we are all here. In short we all deserve each other. The character Captain America in all his unfashionable, blatant patriotism is actually the perfect modern day hero for a movie. That’s because the main theme behind him is actually something that spans all the divisive bickering groups that inhabit our asshole melting pot. The message is: Quit your bitching and help someone. That’s something we all need to hear.
Steve Rodgers (the titular Capt) isn’t allowed to help anyone. He’s a loudmouthed idealist who is heartbroken that he is 4F (ineligible for military service) during WW2. He’s determined and selfless and all he wants to do is help, but he’s almost a midget and has a long list of physical ailments that make his options limited. However an enterprising scientist (Stanley Tucci) notices that Steve wishes he were more powerful, but only so he could be of more help. Stanley invites Steve to volunteer for an experiment designed to create a super-soldier. In his native Germany, Stanley had previously tried this experiment on an elite soldier (Hugo Weaving) and was horrified by the results. Stanley believes his technique must only be used on the selfless as the power will corrupt anyone else. And Steve is most certainly (and believably thanks to the great job by Chris Evans) selfless.
I’m not particularly a Capt America fan. I usually find the Avengers kind of stupid (though I enjoyed the Ultimates). I think this film was excellent. Especially considering how easy it is for this character to come off as hokey or lame. Hugo Weaving might have the best German accent I’ve ever heard from a non-native speaker. Hayley Atwell plays a British operative. There have been a bunch of effective portrayals of female soldiers in film; but I’ve never seen a better ”boy, I will break your damn jaw” look from any of them. Hayley has it down. Tommy Lee Jones plays Tommy Lee Jones (which is always a treat). The tie-ins to the other marvel properties don’t feel forced and are actually pretty cool. Oh and stay after the credits for an Avengers trailer. Oh and don’t see it in 3-D. 3-D is pointless and stupid.