August 25, 2008
|
Steve Rogers will steal your car.If ever there was a comic book movie just begging to be remade, Albert Pyun's hypnotically awful 1990 superhero blunder Captain America is it. Powered by a script laden with peculiar dialogue and serious leaps in logic, this devastatingly poor adaptation of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's iconic series offers little in the way of intentional entertainment, especially once the audience gets a good look at do-gooder Matt Salinger in his awkwardly patriotic costume. The story follows the exploits of gimpy pipsqueak-turned-strapping freedom fighter Steve Rogers as he attempts to thwart the evil misdoings of his genetic equal, the hideously deformed Red Skull (Scott Paulin). After several scenes of misplaced drama and hokey sci-fi mumbo-jumbo, the good captain awakens from a decades-long slumber in a chunk of Alaskan ice, only to find himself thrust into yet another cornball scheme perpetrated by his perpetually scheming archenemy. Pyun's approach to the material is innocent enough, allowing Salinger and crew to play into the whole gee-whiz mentality of the original comics. However, the director's penchant for quick cuts and sloppy action completely derail this ill-conceived train as soon as it leaves the proverbial station. Captain America is, of course, entirely enjoyable, but it's definitely not a good representation of Marvel's beloved franchise.
Recipe For Success: Ronny Cox As Your President + Matt Salinger As Your Hero + That Costume Has Got To Go
Guess What I Learned: Gunshot victims often watch Wheel of Fortune during their stay in the hospital.
I think it has something to do with Vanna's vowels.
2 Spasms:
Ah man, I used to love this movie as a kid. I don't know why, but I did. We found an old VHS tape at some video store and begged my mom to rent it for us every few months. Now, it's been years since I've seen it. I'm actually afraid to watch it again. But, I did enjoy watching the Roger Corman Fantastic Four movie again. We'll have to see about Captain America.
Even when I was ten, I knew this was a pretty terrible comic book movie. Having said that, I always enjoyed Scott Paulin's pathos-rich performance of The Red Skull. His final scene is almost touching (for what it's worth, Paulin and Matt Salinger are both steadily working actors to this day).
One thing that always amused me about the film is that it did try to be 'gee-wiz' fun but failed because it was in fact incredibly violent. In the first act, nearly every speaking character is brutally killed and the second act follows up with two shocking (and cheap) character deaths. The last act lightens up quite a bit, but the pall of what has come before negates much of the adventure-merriment.
It really couldn't decide whether to be an innocent fable, or a dark Batman-like take on Cap. As a result it fails at both. Still, it is worth watching once for historical value. Thanks for bringing it up (although curse you for beating me to the punch).
Scott Mendelson
Post a Comment