Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America is a 2011 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it is the fifth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Joe Johnston, written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America, alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, and Tommy Lee Jones. In the film, Rogers undergoes a transformation and becomes a patriotic superhero who fights against the Nazi HYDRA organization in World War II.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $370 million worldwide against a production budget of $140 million. It received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for Evans' performance, the action sequences, and the visual effects. Captain America was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects.
The film's success led to two sequels, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Captain America: Civil War (2016). Evans has also reprised the role of Captain America in other MCU films, including The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Plot
In 1942, Steve Rogers is a sickly but determined young man who is rejected from the United States Army for the fourth time. After being inspired by a propaganda film starring Bucky Barnes, Rogers attempts to enlist again, but is once again rejected. However, Rogers is noticed by Dr. Erskine, who is working on a secret project called the Super Soldier Serum. Erskine believes that Rogers's character is more important than his physical strength, and he injects Rogers with the serum. The serum transforms Rogers into a super-soldier, but Erskine is immediately killed by HYDRA agent Heinz Kruger, who wants the serum for himself.
Rogers is taken to Camp Lehigh, where he is trained by Colonel Chester Phillips and Peggy Carter. Rogers is given the codename "Captain America" and is sent on a USO tour to promote the war effort. During one of his tours, Rogers meets Barnes, who is now a sergeant in the 107th Infantry Regiment. Rogers and Barnes become friends, and they fight together in the war against HYDRA.
After Barnes is captured by HYDRA, Rogers goes on a mission to rescue him. Rogers infiltrates HYDRA's headquarters and defeats Arnim Zola, HYDRA's chief scientist. Rogers also rescues Barnes, but Barnes is brainwashed and turned into an assassin called the Winter Soldier. Rogers is unable to stop Barnes, and Barnes escapes.
Rogers returns to the United States and is assigned to work with the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR). Rogers and the SSR investigate HYDRA's activities, and they eventually track down the Red Skull, HYDRA's leader. Rogers defeats the Red Skull, but the Red Skull escapes.
After the war, Rogers is frozen in ice in the Arctic. He is discovered by the Avengers in 2011, and he is revived. Rogers joins the Avengers and helps them to defeat Loki in the Battle of New York.
Cast
- Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America
- Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
- Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt / Red Skull
- Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
- Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark
- Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan
- Derek Luke as Gabe Jones
- Tommy Lee Jones as Chester Phillips
Production
The development of Captain America began in 1997, when Artisan Entertainment acquired the film rights to the character. In 2000, Marvel Studios reacquired the rights, and the film was put into development hell. In 2006, Joe Johnston was hired to direct the film, and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely were hired to write the screenplay.
The film was shot in London, England, and at Shepperton Studios. The production budget was $140 million.
Release
Captain America was released in the United States on July 22, 2011. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $370 million worldwide against a production budget of $140 million.
Critical reception
Captain America received generally positive reviews from critics. The film was praised for Evans' performance, the action sequences, and the visual effects. The film was also praised for its faithfulness to the comic books.
Box office
Captain America grossed over $370 million worldwide against a production budget of $140 million. The film was the fifth-highest-grossing film of 201
