Captain America: First Avenger review: How does it impact Infinity War?

Seven years later, how does Captain America: The First Avenger impact Avengers: Infinity War?

If you’re going to start an Avengers movie franchise you must have Captain America. Cap represents everything the Avengers stand for. Defending the world at all costs and doing it as a team. Even without a fancy high-tech suit, magic hammer, or omega level strength, Steve Rogers manages to stand tall above even the most powerful heroes. Not having the cool Tony Stark personality or being from a galaxy full of cool aliens would seem to be a problem for a series Captain America movies. Well, Captain America’s franchise has been the most consistently solid franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

A lot of people (including myself) went into Captain America: First Avenger not expecting much. How interesting could a movie franchise about Captain America’s be? He’s great in the comics, but this isn’t the comics. That said, Captain America: First Avenger ended up being one of the best movies Marvel Comics has produced.

What Worked

The story of Steve Rogers going from a weakling to a hero was told in a phenomenal way. This helped the audience sympathize with the journey Rogers was going through. He wasn’t just some skinny kid who wanted to join the military to be a hero. He wanted to help people because it was the right thing to do and he was willing to give up his life for everything he believed in. We saw this over and over throughout the movie. Especially when Rogers jumped on a grenade while everyone ran away. Including the soldier Colonel Phillips (played by Tommy Lee Jones) wanted for the Super Soldier program.

Hugo Weaving played an amazing Red SKull. Until Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, Marvel had drought of memorable villains. Red Skull is one of the elite villains in the MCU. He was devious, cunning, and a match for Captain America physically and mentally. Every great hero must have an amazing villain and Hugo Weaving put on a great performance as Red Skull.

The relationship between Steve Roger and Agent Peggy Carter (played by Hayley Atwell) was beautiful. Before Steve Roger grew a foot taller and gained two-hundred pounds of muscle, Peggy was intrigued with him. She could look at him and see the see the good man he was and the hero inside of him. There was great chemistry between them.