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“Avengers, Assemble!” With these words, Captain America calls together the many scattered members of Marvel Comics’ crime-fighting squad. It’s appropriate, then, that Captain America is the subject of Marvel Studios’ last superhero flick before next summer’s “Avengers” ensemble piece.
When first perusing the list of this summer’s comic book films I figured I’d give “Captain America” a pass. The straight-laced always-been-a-do-gooder Steve Rogers (the Captain’s alter ego) has less character development than some of his more conflicted counterparts, and thanks to an overabundance of History Channel specials on the topic I’m currently experiencing a little of World War II-era ennui.
What, then, brought me to the theater, and more importantly, kept me entertained while there? Heroism. Captain America’s always been Marvel’s equivalent to Superman, not in powers but in attitude.
Even before his drastic transformation into a super soldier, Steve Rogers was a man of noble heart, pure intentions, and unwavering morals. After gaining super strength, Rogers could always be relied upon to use it for, well, truth, justice, and the American way (to steal a phrase from Superman lore).
What makes “Captain America” a great movie for families with kids old enough to handle the violent (but not graphic) action scenes, is that director Joe Johnston (best known for 1991’s “The Rocketeer”) and script writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely keep the film’s focus on that heroism.
The entire first act centers on Rogers before he becomes Captain America. We see a scrawny kid used to getting beaten up but never backing down, because he only chooses battles with just causes. It turns out he’s a lawbreaker, but just because he’s used alternate aliases in his constant attempts to sign up for the Army. Rogers refuses to stay safe at home while his countrymen die, but as he tells the scientist who recruits him for the super soldier program, he doesn’t want to enlist to kill Nazis, but because he doesn’t like bullies, no matter where they’re from.
The theme of standing up for what’s right, and using whatever strength one might have for that cause alone, permeates the entire film. Abraham Erskine, the aforementioned scientist, explains his choice of Rogers to dubious military head Colonel Chester Phillips by saying that a man who has always been strong takes advantage of his power, whereas a weak man suddenly given great strength understands its value.
That’s the heartbeat of the superhero genre: using might for right. The quintessential comic book figure is a hero who can always be counted upon to defend those that need defending, who will never stray from the just path. The idealist in me can’t help but be won over by such unflinching goodness, especially in the chilling face of the film’s villain, the evil and insane Red Skull.
Captain America is thus an excellent role model for children, especially if they understand that his powers are only to be used to help those who need it. After his transformation Rogers doesn’t go crazy with his power, or even succumb to a scene of joyous displays of strength. He accepts his new abilities with steadfast composure, his goals never changing from what they were when he was several pounds lighter.
While Captain America wouldn’t hold my long-term interest, his origin story makes for a fantastic film. His unwavering commitment to good makes him the heart of the Avengers team, and next year’s movie on the subject, with the hot-tempered Thor, guilt-ridden Bruce Banner, and egotistical Tony Stark, would fall apart without him.
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*(This image by Ozone Ferd is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License.)
