Doug: Here are links to two reviews from the Chicago Tribune's website today: One is favorable (Michael Phillips generally likes superhero and action movies), and one is a rip job from the LA Times critic. I'm probably going to have the same opinion as Michael Phillips -- he grades these things for what they are. Sounds like the other guy was looking for Gone With the Wind or something. Duh...
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Star-Spangled Avenger!
Karen: Today's the day - the final member of the Big Three makes his film debut. Yep, we're talking about Captain America! So let's hear it -what did you think of the Sentinel of Liberty's new film?
Doug: Here are links to two reviews from the Chicago Tribune's website today: One is favorable (Michael Phillips generally likes superhero and action movies), and one is a rip job from the LA Times critic. I'm probably going to have the same opinion as Michael Phillips -- he grades these things for what they are. Sounds like the other guy was looking for Gone With the Wind or something. Duh...
Doug: Here are links to two reviews from the Chicago Tribune's website today: One is favorable (Michael Phillips generally likes superhero and action movies), and one is a rip job from the LA Times critic. I'm probably going to have the same opinion as Michael Phillips -- he grades these things for what they are. Sounds like the other guy was looking for Gone With the Wind or something. Duh...
I am so pumped for this. All the reviews I've seen that are negative talk about how "simple" everything is this film. Good guys are good, bad guys are bad, and so on. Which makes me giddy because not only do I miss those kinds of films, but it also means they got the point. Cap = good guy. Nazis = the only group in history you can mow down in large groups and always get a cheer from just about any audience.
ReplyDeletePlus, if you'd have told me five years ago there'd be a major motion picture with Dum Dum Dugan in it, as a featured character, I'd have laughed in your face. Truly, we live in an age of miracles.
I'll be seeing it with a friend tomorrow evening. From what I've read & heard so far, most reviews have been very favorable and I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son and I saw Cap at the late show Friday night, and we both loved it. There are some nice surprises (especially 10 minutes in -- don't miss that nod to Marvel's Golden Age) along the way. We didn't feel that the film ever slowed down; some have argued that Thor got a bit laborious at times, but Cap never felt like that.
ReplyDeleteWe were glad to see that there are indeed Nazis in the film -- Hydra is explained well enough. There are even bad guys in some scene with SS and SS Death's Head insignia on their uniforms and hats.
The technology is unbelievable sci-fi fun -- who cares that it's 1942?
One beef I had was that some of the characters go unnamed. The Howlers have some cool parts, but I don't know that "Dum Dum" is ever said out loud. The connection between Gabe and Nick Fury (I understand that Gabe is supposed to be Nick's father) is never made, either, unless we missed it. Oh, and the Cosmic Cube is never called as such.
At any rate, those quibbles are small. Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving are very good, and Tommy Lee Jones has some funny lines. Stay after the too-long credits to see a short Avengers trailer -- we're pumped for next summer already!
Have a good time --
Doug
I'm with you, Doug! This film had heart (the grenade scene sealed the deal for me--these guys "get" who Cap is), plenty of action, and lots of fan-rewarding nods to, not only the comicbooks, but even the sucky TV movies and 90s flick--and homages to Star Wars and Indiana Jones for the movie-buff.
ReplyDeleteThe actors (and acting) was pitch-perfect, too.
I plan on seeing it a couple more times this week!
Saw it today and thought it was excellent!!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to talk about what I liked though without giving stuff away, so I'll just say that if you are a comic book fan (especially Marvel) go see this flick.
This is my list of where the Marvel Movies stack up in order of how much I personally enjoyed them:
1. Spider-Man 2
2. Spider-Man 1
3. Captain America
4. X-Men 2
5. Iron Man 1
6. Spider-Man 3
7. X-Men First Class
8. Iron Man 2
9. Incredible Hulk
10. Thor
11. X-Men 1
12. Fantastic Four 2 (Silver Surfer)
13. Daredevil
14. Fantastic Four 1
15. Wolverine Origins
16. X-Men 3
17. Hulk (Ang Lee version)
Whew, I think that's all of them besides the Blade flicks, which I didn't count. Wow! I actually didn't realize there were that many Marvel Movies.
Wow! Saw Cap this morning and really enjoyed it. I felt they struck the right tone with Cap and the Red Skull. Evans did a very good job -I had been concerned about him, since he usually plays wise-cracking characters, but he seemed to 'get' Cap. The entire cast was excellent, and Hugo Weaving made a very effective Red Skull. This movie really weaves together threads from the Iron Man and Thor films, in such a way as to leave me asking more questions! But I'll save that conversation for after more of you have had a chance to see it.
ReplyDeleteKaren
I saw it last night and thought it was boffo. I honestly don't get some of the negative reviews -- this film is pitch-perfect in its recreation of WWII, Chris Evans is just right as Cap and the action setpieces are great.
ReplyDeleteThey tweak the source material in some ways, but cleverly so. Making Bucky an adult buddy of Cap's rather than a sidekick was a smart to go, for example.
I'm looking forward to it, though I won't see it for a while. I've gotten ready by watching the 1979 Captain America, though. Anything will look good by comparison!
ReplyDeleteSaw it with my two sons. We loved! I have to choke back tears of joy. Evans was Captain America. I love how the film makers got that it was the man who made Cap, not the serum or uniform. The movie has heart.
ReplyDeleteSaw it on Saturday, and I'll join the chorus in saying I loved it! For me, Chris Evans really nailed Cap's personality, including his psychological metamorphosis from the headstrong but skinny weakling, eager to stand up for what he believes is right but incapable of being very effective, to the more confident and wiser Cap, gaining leadership qualities through experience with the Howlers.
ReplyDeleteSad thing to contemplate -- if in the current era they have him meet up with Peggy Carter, she'd have to be nearly 90 years old!
I really enjoyed it...except for the USO scene. That almost made me walk out of the theater. I get they wanted to go more Bryan Hitch (ugh) with the costume but I don't get why it's necessary to mock Jack Kirby's design in the process.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise though it's a blast and possibly even Marvel's best movie.