A lot of people are calling Captain America: The First Avenger the best of the Avengers film franchise so far. I can’t agree; I enjoyed it, but for me Iron Man still surpasses it. (Does that mean I find wisecracking supergenius assholes more fun to watch than earnest self-sacrificing patriots? Yeah, I guess it does.)
Two nice touches in the movie that I haven’t seen anyone else mention (I suppose these are spoilers, especially the second one):
1. When we first see Dr. Arnim Zola (the Dream Lord, for Doctor Who fans), it’s as a distorted face filling a viewscreen. I’m pretty sure that’s a nod to Zola’s eventual fate in the comics, where he eventually becomes reduced to nothing but … a distorted face filling a viewscreen.
2. When Rogers wakes up in the 21st century, he’s greeted by a woman with the same hair colour as his lost love Peggy Carter. And when he goes on the run, this woman calls in a “Code 13.” Comics fans will recognise why a woman who resembles Peggy Carter might be associated with the number 13. (Others have made the same guess as mine as to this woman’s identity, but I haven’t seen anyone mention the association with “13,” which for me is what clinches the hypothesis.)
Still haven’t seen it. I’ll get around to it eventually.
I found it somewhat odd that America wins WWII because their Übermensch was stronger. Also, where were the Russians in all of this?
I think the point was supposed to be that America wins WWII because their Übermensch was a compassionate kid from Brooklyn.
I wonder whether they plan to follow the “Winter Soldier” plotline with Bucky. If so, they’ll have to mention the Russians then.
Haven’t seen it yet, but I do agree that Ironman was far and away better than any other comic book movie (Avenger or otherwise) I’ve seen.
What? Better than Batman and Robin? Better than Catwoman?
Hi Roderick,
Actually, your two main comments have been mentioned and discussed on various message boards. Cool, nonetheless. Another one is the brief appearance of Phineas Horton’s Synthetic Man at the Stark Expo (doubly so, being that Evans also portrayed the Johnny Storm version).
I also agree that Iron Man is the best of the Marvel Studio produced films. 2nd place tie: Cap & Thor; 3rd place tie: IM2 & The Incredible Hulk.
Richard G.
Spider-Man gets no appreciation?
For myself, I was just referencing the Marvel Studio productions. Sony produces Spider-Man. But I would rank SM & SM2 the same as Cap & Thor. SM3 would be ranked with IM2 & TIH.