IBMovies

Release date: 2011-07-22

Rating: 7.004

Votes: 22291

Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

During World War II, Steve Rogers is a sickly man from Brooklyn who's transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull – Adolf Hitler's ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.

Reviews

tmdb87069603

True to "Captain America," this is the modern (comic book) version of the All American movie. Good guys versus bad guys without a lot of ambiguity. _**NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT**_. This movie is pretty much perfection for the genre. Entertaining A to Z story with high-end Hollywood professional movie making throughout.

Gimly

**This is a long form review initially published in 2011:** Though it ran at over two hours, I did feel that it had plenty of room to go further than it did. I honestly felt like Red Skull could have had a film all to himself, and actually kind of suffered for making him as intriguing as he was. Chris Evans was an interesting choice as the titular role of Captain America, given that he's already played American sweetheart Marvel Super Hero "The Human Torch" in _Fantastic 4_ and _Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer_. He didn't Oh-My-Gosh blow me away type-thing or what have you, but he was pretty great. So far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I'd slot Captain America clean in the middle. I liked _Iron Man_ and _Thor_ more, but _Iron Man 2_ and _The Incredible Hulk_ less. Marvel Studios stated that the movie they wanted to make was set in the 40's, even though the rest of Marvel Cinematic is modern-day. This was 100% the right move to make, why? Not because of the setting, aesthetics or direction, but because it's fuckin' smart. How do you have the world appreciate an Uncle-Sam loving upper-middle class white male military blindly-loyal patriot? You make him fight the God damn Nazis, that's how. It may seem strange, but I actually enjoyed the opening of _Captain America_ the most, which he spends a a meek, asthmatic Steve Rogers, yet to undergo the Deus Ex Machina Super Serum. It really showed the best of Evans acting ability, as well as the writing of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely whom together wrote _You Kill Me_ and The _The Chronicles of Narnia_ Trilogy. I watched it in 3D, which was more bearable than usual. As the films of MCU progress, each of them becomes more and more a prequel to _The Avengers_, _Captain America_ being the most to date. Despite its almost-entire lack of _Avenger_ cameos, this more than previous films felt like a prequel for what's to come, which is not strictly speaking a good thing. I had plenty of minor issues with _Captain America_, and though their was quite a number of them, all were minor, and ultimately, the only part of me that regrets watching it was the part that keeps thinking "My fucking God, I have to wait a YEAR before _Avengers_ comes out?!" 79% -Gimly

PolyWogg

PLOT Steve Rogers, a scrawny young man, wants to enlist in the US Army and go overseas to fight in WWII. But his size and health means his attempts at enlistment always end the same way -- a 4F rating. Until a scientist sees him and recruits him to try out for a special training program to create a super soldier. WHAT I LIKED The Marvel universe sticks pretty close to classic script with him being given a serum that jacks his body into super muscle mode. He's already brave and smart, so it would seem like a no-brainer to send him overseas? But the guy in charge of his training doesn't want him, he's just one man, so Rogers ends up doing public relations back home. And he is quite shocked that the men overseas don't react as positively when they see him as the crowds back home. I really enjoyed the way they handle the first battle scene for him, basically him figuring things out as he goes, a far cry from his battle-hardened approaches later. I even liked his interactions with Agent Carter. I had thought it would be more subtle than it was, and I hoped we'd see a bit more of her operating on her own (after all, they gave her character a whole series on TV!), but she was second fiddle to the hero. WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE The challenge with a lot of American movies of the war is that it is as if they are the only actors in the war, no allies, just them, and that level of nationalistic narrowmindedness is a bit grating. That may be a small gripe when the show is called CAPTAIN AMERICA, not CAPTAIN OF WORKING WITH ALLIES, but still, it's annoying. I also was disappointed there wasn't a lot more on Red Skull. His history, his abilities, other pursuits, all of it was left basically unreferenced. Sure, some of it shows up elsewhere in the Marvel universe, but a bit more crosswalk would have been nice. I felt he really wasn't that well-fleshed out as the uber villain he could have been. THE BOTTOM LINE / TWEET As an origin story, it lacks pizazz

tmdb44006625

Definitely the most underrated of all the MCU films, Captain America: The First Avenger is a great war film done comic book style about a little guy making a big difference. Red Skull is one of the better villains simply because of how fantastic Hugo Weaving is. Peggy Carter is a great heroine and Hayley Atwell's performance is an absolute joy. Also, Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci light up the screen whenever they're on. With strong action scenes, nicely developed characters, and seamless CGI, Captain America: The First Avenger is perfectly fine as a stand alone film. Shameful that so many audiences were just going out of obligation for The Avengers, because this movie has a lot to offer.

JPV852

Probably only my third time viewing and first in at least 8 years and while it's not great, I did find it to be pretty entertaining and Chris Evans embodies the role so well. Red Skull and the heavy prosthetic they placed on Hugo Weaving still was pretty silly looking, however, making him one of many weak villains in the MCU. **3.25/5**

r96sk

I had a great time with this, it narrowly surpasses <em>'Iron Man'</em> for me. <em>'Captain America: The First Avenger'</em> is thoroughly entertaining. I absolutely enjoyed the story and how it is told, while the 1940s style is done fantastically - love the settings and costumes. The only negative I have is about the body double effect of skinny Captain America - which looks, honestly, ridiculous... in an amusing way, at least. This is, possibly, the most I've enjoyed the overall cast for an MCU film so far. Chris Evans is fun to watch in the lead role, he does a grand job. Behind him, the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell and Hugo Weaving are enjoyable too. A very pleasant experience, this. Good fun.

Andre Gonzales

Really good movie. I loved the little tiny skinny him. He looked hilarious. Lots of action and cool cgi stuff going on.

RalphRahal

Captain America: The First Avenger is a well-crafted superhero origin story that sets up Steve Rogers' journey with a strong narrative foundation. The plot is engaging, blending a classic underdog story with a war-time adventure that feels both grounded and larger than life. The pacing is solid, moving through Steve's transformation and early missions without dragging, though some action sequences are presented in montage form, which makes them feel a bit rushed. The script does a great job of keeping the dialogue natural, mixing heartfelt moments with humor and sincerity, making Steve an instantly likable character. Joe Johnston’s direction leans heavily into a 1940s aesthetic, capturing the era’s charm while delivering the high-energy action expected from a Marvel film. The cinematography enhances this old-school feel with warm tones and well-framed action shots that keep everything clear and visually engaging. Some sequences feel a little stylized in a way that makes them stand out from the rest of the MCU, but that actually works in the film’s favor, giving it a unique identity. The balance between practical effects and CGI is well-handled, making the world feel lived-in rather than overly polished. Chris Evans absolutely nails the role, bringing depth to Steve Rogers beyond just being a strong, noble hero. His performance is supported by a great cast, with standout moments from Hayley Atwell and Tommy Lee Jones. The score, composed by Alan Silvestri, adds to the film’s grand yet sentimental tone, making key moments hit harder. Overall, this is one of the stronger solo MCU entries, delivering a mix of action, heart, and a well-paced origin story that sets the stage for one of Marvel’s most iconic characters.

Manuel São Bento

Rewatched for the Once Upon a Franchise podcast. Listen to the full episode here: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/qeqKx7GL7Vb Captain America: The First Avenger stands tall as one of the MCU's strongest origin stories, even if time has made some of its rougher edges more apparent. From the very beginning, Joe Johnston's film sets the tone with a still-underrated technical achievement: the seamless VFX techniques employed that transform Chris Evans into the skinny Steve Rogers. Beyond the spectacle, though, the movie immediately defines why Rogers had to be Captain America: his moral compass is unshakable. He doesn't want to kill, doesn't want power for its own sake - he just doesn't like bullies. That clarity of character, paired with Evans' perfect casting, makes him instantly magnetic. Evans embodies everything Cap should be - compassionate, honest, humble, and yes, convincingly heroic once he emerges in peak form. His dynamic with Sebastian Stan's Bucky brings warmth and trust, while Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter shines whenever she's on screen, though she deserved far more to do. Even small roles like Tommy Lee Jones' Colonel Phillips leave a lasting mark, his dry humor proving essential to the film's pacing. That pacing, however, falters in the middle stretch. The second act leans heavily on repetitive mission sequences - infiltrating Hydra bases, blowing up facilities - that rely more on CGI explosions than the movie's more effective hand-to-hand combat. It's also here that Marvel's creeping overreliance on digital effects starts to show, something that would later define the franchise's weaker instincts. Still, when the focus stays on Steve's journey, the story soars. Thematically, it's one of the richest MCU entries, building a character-first story about altruism, heroism, and sacrifice rather than pure spectacle. Alan Silvestri's iconic score cements the film's emotional heft, becoming a theme that would echo throughout the saga. If The First Avenger feels slightly dated today, it's less a flaw than a reminder of the studio's early growing pains - because at its core, this is still one of the most earnest and inspiring superhero origins ever put on screen. Rating: B+

Movie Recommendation

Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2014-03-20
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.
More...
Thor
2011-04-21
Against his father Odin's will, The Mighty Thor - a powerful but arrogant warrior god - recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
More...
The Avengers
2012-04-25
When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!
More...
Iron Man
2008-04-30
After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.
More...
Iron Man 2
2010-04-28
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts and James 'Rhodey' Rhodes at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.
More...
Captain America: Civil War
2016-04-27
Following the events of Age of Ultron, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man or Captain America, which causes an epic battle between former allies.
More...
Captain Marvel
2019-03-06
The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
More...
Parker
2013-01-23
A thief with a unique code of professional ethics is double-crossed by his crew and left for dead. Assuming a new disguise and forming an unlikely alliance with a woman on the inside, he looks to hijack the score of the crew's latest heist.
More...
The Amazing Spider-Man
2012-06-23
Peter Parker is an outcast high schooler abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.
More...
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
2013-01-17
After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel and Gretel have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell-bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches... their past.
More...
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
2011-07-12
Harry, Ron and Hermione continue their quest to vanquish the evil Voldemort once and for all. Just as things begin to look hopeless for the young wizards, Harry discovers a trio of magical objects that endow him with powers to rival Voldemort's formidable skills.
More...
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
2011-06-28
The Autobots continue to work for NEST, now no longer in secret. But after discovering a strange artifact during a mission in Chernobyl, it becomes apparent to Optimus Prime that the United States government has been less than forthright with them.
More...
Iron Man 3
2013-04-18
When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
More...
X-Men: First Class
2011-06-01
Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were arch-enemies, they were closest of friends, working together with other mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.
More...
Oz the Great and Powerful
2013-03-07
Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus illusionist and con-artist, is whisked from Kansas to the Land of Oz where the inhabitants assume he's the great wizard of prophecy, there to save Oz from the clutches of evil.
More...
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
2011-12-07
Ethan Hunt and his team are racing against time to track down a dangerous terrorist named Hendricks, who has gained access to Russian nuclear launch codes and is planning a strike on the United States. An attempt to stop him ends in an explosion causing severe destruction to the Kremlin and the IMF to be implicated in the bombing, forcing the President to disavow them. No longer being aided by the government, Ethan and his team chase Hendricks around the globe, although they might still be too late to stop a disaster.
More...
The Incredible Hulk
2008-06-12
Scientist Bruce Banner scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.
More...
Thor: The Dark World
2013-10-30
Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
More...
Green Lantern
2011-06-14
For centuries, a small but powerful force of warriors called the Green Lantern Corps has sworn to keep intergalactic order. Each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of the first human ever recruited.
More...
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015-04-22
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
More...