With American economy in crisis and the possibility that the American government might default because of debt. It is a bit ironic that a movie with a title "Captain America" is released at this time. However, Paramount has decided to bring audiences the origin story of the first avenger, an icon of the ideal hero from an era when heroes embodied all the virtues that a hero should have. Let me start this review by saying that, while the story development of this movie is not the best among the superhero movies I've seen. However, in terms of the messages the story is trying to convey, I have to honestly say it is one of the best I've seen.
Story:
The premises is set in WW2. In USA, the government is trying to recruit young men to fight against the Nazi. Steve Rogers, a 90 pound weakling also wanted to join the army to fight the Nazi. However, because of he is physically weak, he failed at every army recruitment test. By chance, he stumbled upon an opportunity to be enrolled in the "super solider" program. After a few selection test, Steve Rogers was selected to receive the "super solider" enhancement. Which transformed his body, giving him super human physicality. After the enhancement procedure was complete, the laboratory was attacked by a Nazi secret organisation called "Hydra". The inventor of the super solider program was killed in the attack, and Steven Roger became the first and the last super solider. Upon investigating the attack, Rogers discovered an evil plot by the leader of the Hydra, a mad scientist "Red Skull" and had to stop him before it is too late...
The story is very simple and straight forward, it is no complicated and easy to understand. Like I said before, the story is certainly not the best movie plot ever, but there are reasons that I would highly recommend this film. I will talk about them next.
My thoughts on the movie:
Most people, especially Christians will like many of the messages conveyed in this film. Not because of its fancy 3D and special effects, or its great production value and costume design. I think people will like this film, because of the character of the protagonist, Steve Rogers.
In the beginning of the movie, we are introduced to Steve Rogers as a 90 pound but very brave weakling, being bullied his entire life, can't even pass recruitment tests to join the army. However, at the end of the day it was his persistence and his desire to serve his country, to fight against Nazi that got him enrolled in the selection test for the super soldier program.
After Steven Rogers joined the selection test, he pretty much came last in all the physical tests because he is naturally weak. Eventually he was chosen to receive the enhancement, because he was humble and have the courage of self sacrifice. In one of the scenes, the commander questioned the scientist's decision of choosing the weak Steven Rogers to receive the enhancement, As a test, he threw a fake grenade into the crowd of the "would be" contestants for super solider program. All the contestants ran for cover, only Steven Rogers ran towards the grenade, cover it with his body while shouting for everyone to take cover.
Later when Rogers asked the scientist why he was chosen to be the super solider despite his weak physical status. The scientist replied by telling Rogers that, the reason why he chose Rogers is because he is weak and small. As the scientist explained, power amplifies who you are inside. The strong takes the power for granted and let it go to their heads, while the weak given strength will remember what it was like before, so they have the compassion to use it responsibly and for good. The theme of humility and thankfulness is very strong here, and a lot of scripture truth resonated in this theme.
The third great theme in the movie was shown in one of the conversation between Steven Rogers and his love interest. As Roger confessed to his love interest that he never danced with a girl before, the girl asked him why. Which Rogers replied saying that he was "waiting for the right partner". This is such an important and refreshing message to our modern culture where instantaneous gratification and pre-marital sex are so common, the importance of be able to say "no" and resist the temptation until you are married to your spouse. It is worthwhile to mention that in this film, there are no sex or nudity scenes, this emphasized that Steven Rogers really was a man of his words and was waiting for "the right partner". This is really good and refreshing considering that Hollywood movies usually embrace pre-marital sex.
At the end of the film, as Steven Roger's love interest looked into his file, a photo came out, it was not the photo of Captain America in his full superhuman glory, but a photo of Steven Roger before he receive the enhancement, a 90 pound weakling who is a real hero because of who he is in the inside.
This film really told a fine story that emphasize the importance that character is more important than outer appearance(such as abilities or personal qualities). For Christians, it is a good reminder for us not to fix our eyes on outer appearances, but to focus and fix our eyes on Jesus, so we can be more like Jesus and develop Godly characters to serve God and others because of grace. Everything, including the abilities we have, are gifts from God, so we ought to receive it with a humble heart and use that the gifts responsibly, with compassion and a desire for good just like Captain America.
Final score:
Story (8/10): Although a linear plot, the movie Captain America manages to remember the long abandoned, good values that are missing in our modern culture, and present them well on the big screen. Plenty of scripture truth can be found in this movie.
Production value and cinematography (9/10): I saw the movie in 3D (everything is 3D now days..), the costume and set design was excellent, the lighting contrast of the pictures and the costume design really bring the audiences back to the era of 1940's.
Sex/Nudity (none): It is refreshing to see a Hollywood movie that encourages people to wait for the right partner, with the implied meaning of saying "NO" to pre-marital sex until marriage. There are no sex or nudity scenes in this movie and it is very clean.
Violence (medium): It is a superhero movie, there are plenty of actions going on. There are a few scenes with blood, so I think this is at least a PG film.
Final verdict (8.2/10): I really enjoyed Captain America, it is even better than Thor which came out a few months ago. It is good entertainment with good things that we can take away with us. And a great reminder to our consumer based, material obsessed society about the the values of humility, courage, thankfulness, sacrifice and that character is more important than outer appearance. This is a movie that I can highly recommend to all of my friends.
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