Okay… I’m in.
I was already interested, certainly, but that new trailer for “Captain America: The First Avenger” is incredibly persuasive and stylized and charming. There’s something great about the way Joe Johnston’s creating the world of the ’40s, and about the way he makes Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) into a puny weakling in the early parts of the film.
And once it kicks in? It looks like an adventure movie, pure and simple, and as logical a choice as that seems to be, I’m amazed how few adventure movies there are in the superhero genre. Angst is the main order of business, with revenge and daddy issues and taking over the world as major motivators. This is much more of a straightforward “here’s your mission” adventure film, and it is something I’ve wanted to see for a while now.
Stanley Tucci looks like a hoot as Professor Erskine, the guy in charge of the Super Soldier Program, and he’s got the best line in the trailer, about the way it takes a weak man to understand the value of strength and power. Tommy Lee Jones is Col. Phillips, the perfect military face for WWII. I like that Bucky (Sebastian Stan) is the guy who looks older and bigger and like the “real” soldier. It’s a very different take than the Bucky and Cap relationship I grew up reading about, which was more of a traditional Batman and Robin hero and sidekick thing.
I don’t know Haley Atwell, so I’m not sure what to expect from her as Peggy Carter, and it looks like she’s got a major role in terms of the action in the film. I do know Hugo Weaving, of course, and he looks stupendous as the Red Skull.
It’s a big superhero summer, and this and “Thor” both are getting big pushes from Marvel. They’re going to be very different films in tone and style, and right now, I can honestly say I’m impressed by how right it looks like they got everything here.
Now I don’t want to see another frame until the film’s in theaters. Mission accomplished. Just bring on the movie.
“Captain America: The First Avenger” hits theaters reeeeeeal hard on July 22, 2011.