We saw Captain America: The First Avenger tonight. It rocked.

[onehandle]

Best Marvel adaption since the first Iron Man.

[Frank Cannon]

1. Wife and I just saw it today, and we both enjoyed it very much.

I would even go so far to say it's the best superhero movie since Iron Man. We both had a great time, and usually my wife is bored stiff during these kinds of films.

The acting was great all around; particularly Chris Evans, who resurrects the genuine good-guy superhero vibe that seemed to die with Christopher Reeve. The dialog was a bit corny, but it did have some good lines. And although it did suffer a bit from the tired mysterious-mythical-energy-device-that's-going-to-destroy-the-world plot bullcrap so common to superhero movies, the characters and action were appealing enough that it didn't really bother me.

I also very much appreciated the anti-bullying message that was presented: not only to not be a bully, but to resist them, RELENTLESSLY, no matter the odds. I know some Democratic representatives in Washington who could learn from that.

We watched it at the matinee and thought we easily got our money's worth in entertainment. (Saw it in 2D, too. I don't think it would really benefit from 3D, which was done in post, anyway, so save your money on that.)

Anyway, two thumbs up here. I'm more than ready to see the next movie with the Captain.

[Orrex]

2. The "mysterious mythical energy device that's going to destroy the world" is canonical Marvel

It's a Cosmic Cube, and the concept dates back to 1966. It subsequently featured quite heavily in the Captain America chronology, in fact. So although it didn't appear in the original WWII-era stuff, it meshes nicely with the Marvel Universe as a whole IMO.

[Frank Cannon]

3. Ah, thank you. I did not know that. Never followed Marvel that closely.

To an outsider, I have to tell you that it comes off as a bit of a trite, lazy plot device.

[Orrex]

4. Heh. Yeah, I imagine that it does!

I suppose that it's a bit of fan service for the Marvel geeks, though I can see how it would come across as an easy out.

After posting last night, I read the wiki entry on the Cosmic Cube, and I learned that there was actually a comic story in which the Cube was lost in the sea during a battle between the Red Skull and Cap, so I suspect that the film's sequence was a nod to that bit of history, too. News to me!

[NewJeffCT]

5. good movie - not great

SPOILER WARNING for those who have not seen the movie.

I liked the beginning and the middle of the movie - up until Cap rescues the 107th. However, I thought the movie was a bit disjointed after that - the battle scene montage with the Howlin' Commandos seemed to be too quick after that, and I thought the end came kind of abruptly. I think they could have easily added 10-15 minutes to the movie.

However, I though Evans was very good in his role, as was Hayley Atwell (and, man does she fill out her dresses nicely...)

Plus, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci and (of course) Tommy Lee Jones were all good in their roles as well. Strong cast for a comic book movie.