Overall, the special effects were brilliantly done. I can’t think of any scenes that would have been much better had it seemed vaguely like something was flying at me. What about the effects and 3D and stuff? I’m sick of 3D and I actually drove a good bit out of my way to avoid it this time, and I don’t feel like I missed anything. We got The Three Musketeers in 3D (yes, "in 3D" actually seems to be part of the title), which looks pretty awful the latest instalment of Spy Kids –- advertised as being in 4D (which I suppose actually makes more sense than 3D, when you think about it) and Johnny English Reborn, which looks like it has a few funny moments, but I don’t think I’ll be wasting a relatively rare cinema trip on it.Ħ. But should I get there early for the trailers? As always, your mileage may vary.
There’s even a sly dig at Raiders of The Lost Ark.ĥ. It’s clever, it’s well-written and well-acted, and there are some beautiful action set pieces. The story revolves mainly around what it means to be a hero, and it lays that on a little thick at times (the line "Whatever happens, stay who you are" is repeated in much the same way as "With great power comes great responsibility" is in Spider-Man). To answer the most commonly asked question (by my friends, at least): It’s as good as the first Iron Man. (Disclaimer: I loved The Rocketeer back when that came out.) It’s an all-around excellent comic book movie. Joe Johnston does a fine job on this flick, too –- I know folks weren’t exactly thrilled with 'The Wolfman' but I think he sort of redeems himself here.
Chris Evans plays Cap well, Hugo Weaving is suitably villainous (although a little underused, I thought) and the supporting cast are all excellent. I’m making the assumption that you’ve been following the Avengers movies so far - or are at least interested in following them - and this is a very, very strong addition to the franchise. I’m not sure I’d recommend it for younger kids, but that's a judgment call based on any particular kid's maturity.ģ. The action is much more cartoony than in either of the Iron Man outings or Thor. Even if they haven’t, you’d have no problem starting them on this one –- the only real tie-in to the previous movies is the presence of Howard Stark (Tony’s dad), but he’s a great character in his own right. Will my kids like it? If they’ve been following the Avengers movies so far, then yes, definitely. Meanwhile Nazi scientist and über-baddie Johan Schmidt, aka Red Skull (Hugo Weaving, doing his best 'every bad guy ever' impression), is building the ultimate weapon to take over and/or destroy the world.Ģ. Rejected by the military at every turn, he’s finally given a chance by mysterious scientist Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci, doing his best Heinz Wolff impression) who puts him into a super-soldier program where he becomes the titular hero. What’s It All About? It’s 1942, and sickly weakling but determined all-around good guy Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is determined to sign up for the army so he can go to Europe and fight for his country. I assume almost all of you know this already, but this is the internet.ġ. Note: I’ve tried to avoid spoilers, but I do refer to an appearance by a character in the post-credits sequence which, if you don’t know that this movie is leading up to next summer's The Avengers, is probably a bit spoilerish.