Seeing as it’s National Day week, it’s worth considering what Singapore’s own superhero would be like. Well, there’s a one-in-three chance he wouldn’t actually be Singaporean, he’d probably not be paid enough and in all likelihood, he’d have to take public transport. But, while we’re dreaming of a possible VR Man movie adaptation, Captain America: The First Avenger will keep you entertained and feeling proud even if there’s no blue in our flag.
It’s the height of World War II and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a sickly, short weakling trying desperately to volunteer as an infantryman. After failing four times, a scientist (Stanley Tucci) notices his persistence and approves his enlistment as part of an experimental Super Soldier program. Rogers is treated with a serum and gains superhuman physical abilities (while growing about a foot taller), but ends up selling war bonds instead of being deployed. That all changes when his best friend is taken prisoner and he finds himself at the heart of an effort to destroy HYDRA, a Nazi-funded research group bent on world domination, led by the villain Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving).
More WWII movie than comic book hero adventure, Captain America: The First Avenger holds interest without getting all dark and brooding like pretty much every other postmodern superhero movie. The film stays true to the origin story of the Cap and even embraces the campy past of comics in its explanation of the blue tights and shield (hint: It’s a song and dance show). Chris Evans is excellent in his titular role, delivering the right balance of genuinely good “good guy” and ruthless ass-kicker. The supporting cast, too, is made up of memorable characters: The gruff Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones), the sophisticated and alluring Agent Carter (Hayley Atwell) and the risk-taking tech wizard Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper).
The film isn’t always exciting but it’s consistently entertaining and its digitally-rendered world deserves top billing. This is retro-futuristic Atompunk at its best; enough to make you forget that the 3D in the film is (once again) utterly unnecessary. There are also more shield-throwing fistfights than anyone could hope for and the inevitable romance between Carter and the Cap is executed with 40s finesse. This is one to catch as the Summer film season draws to a close. Stay past the end credits for a hint about a particular movie coming out in May 2012.