Captain America: The First Avenger

In a word, this film is the epitome of all Marvel films. It has the protagonist, his rise to strength, realisation of his power for good, battling his arch-enemy, saving the day and the twist at the end.

Plot wise, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is not who you’d call a soldier. Diminutive, weak and lacking in any real self-worth, Rogers repeatedly fails to join the American army in cities around the country until an enigmatic German doctor (Stanley Tucci) gives him his break. Little does Rogers realise is that he is soon to become Captain America, the United States' first Super Soldier! His main goal: to take out the Nazi’s secret scientific division, Hydra, before its enigmatic leader Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) can take over the world.

See? Already you’re gripped by the plot, the delivery and potential that this film has. Based in comic book fiction this film provides all the action colour of the original 1940’s character. The cast is impressive: Chris Evans surprisingly serious performance as Rogers is excellent; Hugo Weaving draws from his previous roles of Agent Smith, Elrond and V to expertly recreate the infamous Red Skull (a man who admittedly looks like cocaine and solvents are his best friends); and Tommy Lee Jones as the hard and sceptical Colonel Philips, whose steak-eating scene in the prison cell can make even vegetarians salivate.

Ok, I have to admit, this film won’t be for all. It’s not an artsy fartsy foreign film about the exploitation of Welsh bird watchers or something and it’s not the sort of film you go to see if you love to analyse the interesting lighting effects on the lack of Red Skull's nose. What it is though is two hours of pure unadulterated entertaining fun. If you liked Iron Man or Thor you will love the fast paced, action-packed Captain America and the film they’ve all been leading up to next summer, The Avengers.

Harry Austin