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EDITORIAL: Things Studios Can Learn From Captain America

A quick guide of what things studios can learn from Captain America.

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By elliot robinson - 10/25/2011
When Captain America first came to cinemas many were impressed with the film, people thought it was one of the best comicbookmovies within the year and I find it hard to disagree, I loved it! Although there were small things wrong with it, it was the first movie in a long time that was an actual pleasure to watch. There are many elements that other movie studios should pick up on to help with thier movies.

Picking the best actor for the role


Something that Marvel studios in particular are very good at. When Chris Evans was chosen to portray Cap, many thought that he would not be able to play such a serious character, however in the film, he dropped such misgivings and gave a memorable performance that gave Rogers soul and depth.

A good supporting cast


Think back to your favourite movie, lets say star wars, you don't just remember Luke Skywalker do you? You remember Han Solo, Yoda and R2 D2. Filling a movie with a good supporting cast helps maintain a balance and can create memorable scenes. Casting actors like Tommy Lee Jones who maintains a dry wit throughout and Haley Atwell who brings strength to her character and never becomes the damsil in distress helps the film become more enjoyable. However it was Stanley Tucci as Dr Abraham Erkstine who stole the show. What could have been a small cameo turned into a memorable performance.

Make it fun


Not every superhero can fit into the gritty Nolan film style, such characters as Thor and Captain America wouldn't be right. Captain America is about hope and responsibility, not stepping over bodies of fallen comrades in bloddied trenches. Although there are moments of drama and humanity the film still gives us an enjoyable time.

Give us a good villian

Anyone who has seen Green Lantern should know how dissapointing Paralax was. However this was not the case in the first avenger! The red skull provided a startiling contrast to Rogers, showing us what could have been, while furthering Rogers character as a good man. The make up was very good and didn't take you away from the movie while the performance was brilliant, although red skull was over played in parts I still enjoyed it and thought it was a great foundation for their rivallary.
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Berger45 - 10/25/2011, 7:03 AM
Captain America had many faults, even more than Thor but the worst part of Captain America was Red Skull. He didn't have anything to do. He just was just featured, almost the same case of Sinestro. Skull should've done more and been way more evil than he appeared. Red Skull can also be compared to The Destroyer in Thor. Disappointing movie actually. I liked Thor more.
er101 - 10/25/2011, 7:08 AM
@Berger45 There were defiantly aspects that were disapointing like the red skull in the film, but I was more disapointed that the destroyer armour in thor was beaten so easily.
Berger45 - 10/25/2011, 7:14 AM
I agree with you there.
jbak368 - 10/25/2011, 7:38 AM
Red Skull was great, there just wasn't enough of him.
TayDee - 10/25/2011, 7:38 AM
Cap > Thor
Priest - 10/25/2011, 7:44 AM
Haters gonna hate.

Personally, I think CA is a great movie and I agree with the points made in the article. Having said that, I guess that there is absolutely no movie that is 100% loved by everyone.

Btw, if some crazy nolanite says "TDK", let me disappoint you by saying that I personally don't think that movie is that great.
MassExecutions - 10/25/2011, 7:45 AM
I was disappointed with Red Skull at first because I expected someone more menacing, cruel, and bitter. Then I realized that at this point Red Skull has never know defeat. He thinks he is the stuff and nobody could EVER beat him. If he ever makes a return to the screen I bet he is more like the Red Skull I expected.
Fogs - 10/25/2011, 7:46 AM
Nice points.

"Not every superhero can fit into the gritty Nolan film style, such characters as Thor and Captain America wouldn't be right"

This is what most Nolan Talibans don't see.
marvel72 - 10/25/2011, 7:51 AM
i thought captain america was very good movie,yeah it had its faults but nothing to bad.

i'm still waiting to see a five star comic book movie because there hasn't been one yet.
KungFuKoala - 10/25/2011, 7:53 AM
100% agree with berger45

Red Skull was very one dimensional and actually did nothing apart from go on the run.
ComicBookMoron - 10/25/2011, 7:57 AM
The more studios try to learn about Capt. America the less they will ever learn about how to make a proper Dark Knight.
SKOne - 10/25/2011, 7:59 AM
First, I love the poster on this article. Second, I think that studios need to start focusing on one villain unless they plan on making their movies longer than two hours. Cap had Red Skull as his main challenge, that is it. I agree that Hugo Weaving deserved more time on screen but at least there weren't 4 or 5 big bad guys like Green Lantern.
JackBauer - 10/25/2011, 7:59 AM
CATFA was great. A little more Red Skull and a scene showing Steve getting training as Cap would've made it perfect. Showing us Haley Atwell's boobs would've made it epic :)
whatevillurks - 10/25/2011, 8:15 AM
I bet the thinking was that Cap and Bucky both getting frozen on the same mission would be too much for the general audience. So you have Bucky fall into a massive snow drift during the train scene, something he could theoretically survive. I like how the movie didnt save stuff for the future. We got Skull, the Howlers, and HYDRA in one movie! No saving Skull for the sequel while we have Cap fight Baron Struker. I'm off to blockbuster to pick it up.
TheAmarilloBlack - 10/25/2011, 8:16 AM
Cap rocked socks!

Could it have used more Skull? Yes. More Nazis? Yes.

Did it represent the spirit of the character? Hell yes.
BmanHall - 10/25/2011, 8:17 AM
I think it was good for the most part. Only a few things I can point out but nothing that breaks the movie. The two biggest flaws I saw were Red Skull and Buckey. Red Skull should have come off much more evil. Buckey's death should have been much more epic. Other than that, I think the movie was pretty solid.
nuck82 - 10/25/2011, 8:22 AM
they could have had less time with cap in the uso and more story about skull of cap fighting, still loved the movie but liked thor more
PunkRockMachine - 10/25/2011, 8:23 AM
I disagree concerning the "fun" aspect of the film. I think Captain America could have used a few more Nazi crushing scenes with an excess of grit. It took place during WWII after all, and although I thought the set looked great, there weren't enough scenes where Cap got down and dirty with war (I'm not talking covered in blood, but maybe a bit more fighting with the troops).
whatevillurks - 10/25/2011, 8:28 AM
Red Skull did order the shelling of the Norwegian Town. Killed his superiors. Killed an underling. Blew up a factory with his own men fighting in it. Only thing we didnt have was him trying to strangle Sin as an enfant. ;)
HelaGood - 10/25/2011, 8:30 AM
GREAT editorial!!! Cap was the best one this year!!
NOLANITE - 10/25/2011, 8:31 AM
Did someone say "a crazy nolanite?" TDK was better than this new garbage. I saw it twice, while it was enjoyable...somewhat...it was entertaining. I still think this version of his costume is better than the one given in avengers.
rbfn04 - 10/25/2011, 8:33 AM
For what its worth this was the Marvel movie I had the most fun watching. And probably the only one, so far, I'll watch again.
BackwardGalaxy - 10/25/2011, 8:37 AM
1: This is ooooooold.

2: Everything Cap did well has been done before by previous CB movies. The central conceit of the article, that Cap somehow embodies that which other CBMs should aspire to, when it is itself walking on others' shoes, is laughable.

3: The first 40 minutes of Cap is the first 40 minutes of a phenomenal movie. While watching it, I was ready to put it up there with Superman: The Movie. Then came the rest. Everything after the first ~40 is pretty much horrible garbage.
Starlight - 10/25/2011, 8:44 AM
I think CAP was the best ADAPTED CBM so far. I'm not saying it was THE BEST CBM, don't get me wrong, but I definetely felt like I was looking at a LIVE COMIC with actors.
RyanLantern77 - 10/25/2011, 8:45 AM
People need to stop acting like this was the best CBM ever. It was good, but in my opinion it was a little flat and Red Skull was not fully developed. Chris Evans was ok in it, not great. Tommy Lee Jones and Hailey Atwell were great. It took a lot of time to tell the USO Cap story, which would have been much better used to develop Red Skull, instead of Cap taking down a weapons bunker and cut to Red Skull gritting his teeth and shaking his fist
Hairyman - 10/25/2011, 8:46 AM
While it is a decent article, do you proof them before posting? You have many typos that knock down your credibility.

Thor was a better film, and Captain America just went through the required motions to get to The Avengers.
NOLANITE - 10/25/2011, 8:54 AM
Good job superguy. You know what's good for you.
MrZoolittle - 10/25/2011, 9:01 AM
I agree with berger45. the movie wasn't great.
Godzillafart - 10/25/2011, 9:04 AM
CATFA was better than expected, and very enjoyable, but far from great. Hugo did a good job as the Red Skull, but the script just didn't develop the character. Evans gave it his all, but was a flawed choice as Cap. He just doesn't project the authority and leadership/charisma to pull off a great Cap. Still, I liked the show.
Linta - 10/25/2011, 9:06 AM
Cap movie was great
whatevillurks - 10/25/2011, 9:09 AM
I loved the movie. My theory on why other's love it too and defend it so hard is that this is probably the only marvel/dc we will get that is actually set in the "golden age". Its a big love letter to the era that caused comics to explode in popularity in the U.S. Maybe we will get a period Justice Society movie that will make Cap look like crap.....but knowing WB I doubt it.
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 10/25/2011, 9:25 AM
I actually thought this movie was the second worst movie Marvel put out behind Iron Man 2. This movie was by far the most visually stunning and well acted. However, the plot was thin, there was hardly any character development, and they under used which in my opinion was the best villain in all three movies. If anything I think studios should use Captain America as an example of what not to do. Don't give us a movie that is more style over substance. Iron Man is a perfect example of what to do, and even The Incredible Hulk (to a lesser extent). Marvel has made one great movie, two good movies, on mediocre movie, and a flat out terrible movie (Iron Man 2).
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 10/25/2011, 9:27 AM
out of all three characters* not movies, this site really needs an edit button.
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 10/25/2011, 9:30 AM
I hope the Avengers will be fantastic, and I expect it will be one most fronts. Marvel's tag line for movies should be the House of Mediocrity. The movies have great idea's but after the initial run in 2007 I feel the movies have been more advertisements than actual spectacles. They have great idea's but they play it safe, and give us a watered down story but with great visuals so we don't think about it. The masters of this are George Lucas and Michael Bay.
chuckg313 - 10/25/2011, 9:31 AM
The cap movie was ok i think it was a bit over rated...Skull was forgettable..and the action seemed hurried and inconsequential ...i felt like i had seen steve rogers but not captian america
stutx - 10/25/2011, 9:32 AM
I liked both cap and thor my only prob with cap was they showed all of the training scenes in the previews which were all amazing so when i watched the film I knew what was coming. Would have liked a bit more mystery. All in all think they both were great but enjoyed thor more.
Spidey91 - 10/25/2011, 9:34 AM
IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE FUNNY! IT HAS TO BE DARK,GRITTY,MATURE,VIOLENT,PHILOSOPHICAL! >:(

joking aside,those are really good points.

I loved the movie.It wasn't perfect but it was really entertaining,it captured the main essence of Cap (btw,good job Evans) and it was mostly faithful to the source material...not to mention the badass action scenes.

Red Skull was kind of underplayed thou,but I guess there was no need to fleshing him out that much,after all he is a text book comic vilain: he's a nazi,he's evil,he's power hungry,he wants to take over the world,that's it.
whatevillurks - 10/25/2011, 9:38 AM
Cap 2 should really allow the charcter to hit its stride. Once you have him doing stuff like saying "no" to the military industrial complex he shines.
CrowPirate1 - 10/25/2011, 9:52 AM
I actually loved Captain America. I thought it was going to be too hokey or patriotic, but it surprised me. And looking at his uniform once again from that movie, why didn't they just stick with that one for the new Avengers movie? It just looks so cool!
SageMode - 10/25/2011, 9:59 AM
IMO, Captain America was the best MCU movie put out so far. It didnt seem rushed, everyone played their parts excellently. I do wish the Red Skull had a bit more screen time though, but other than that, I loved it.
VictorHugo - 10/25/2011, 10:16 AM
Loved the movie, but i missed some regular looking Nazis for Captain to beat.

i know it´s not to upset the germans, there´s all this Disney PC going on, but still :P
marvel72 - 10/25/2011, 10:31 AM
2nd best marvel studio film so far.

1st iron man
2nd captain america
3rd thor
4th the incredible hulk
5th iron man 2
SHHH - 10/25/2011, 10:52 AM
Cap Was Great!
Shaman - 10/25/2011, 11:02 AM
Cap was good clean fun. But it shouldn't necessarily be used as a blueprint. I agree with the consensus, Ironman 1 was the perfect blueprint. Thor was the second best IMHO. And i'll also agree with whoever said they had it all beyond epic proportions within the first 40 minutes. Then... they dropped the ball. They fumbled but got out of the dog pile and crossed the finish line, ball in hand, none the less. It was a good game, just not as "epic" as it was set up to be.
dageekundaground - 10/25/2011, 11:03 AM
Captain America & most of the cbms of 2011 have left me extremely lethargic.
Ancar - 10/25/2011, 11:17 AM
A movie for kids, nothing more! Not a big action scene, not a single war battle scene, a villain mother-I-want-to-be-the-Mask.

I thought it was very disappointing. But not for my 8 year old son.
Macksimus - 10/25/2011, 12:10 PM
I thought it was the worst Marvel/Avengers movie. Bucky and Skull were not fleshed out; it was suppose to be a period piece, but it did not feel like one at all. Instead it felt like they were in the future with all of those lasers and outlandish looking Hydra vehicles. I thought we were going to see Cap go up against Nazis and real Nazi technology with a small touch of sci-fi and mysticism (like Raiders of the Lost Arc). I know they watered it down for the tweens, but it still sucked.

...Evans was good.
Jackwagon - 10/25/2011, 1:14 PM
I know it would have been a hugh gamble but CATFA should have been the first movie made instead of the TIH. Doing it the way they did was really no different than George Lucas doing the Star Wars prequel (which was an epic fail all around). There are alot of things that went wrong with Cap and Ive been a fan for 38 years and was so looking forward to this movie blowing the first Ironman out of the water. 1.) It needed another 30 minutes, period. That could have helped develope the character clash between TRS and CAP more. 2.) Bucky's (supposed) death could have more dramatisized. 3.)Definitely could have used more HC battle scenes. 4.) played CAPS end scene just a few seconds more. Still cant figure out why he just couldnt turn the plane round and just land it. That was the only real failure of the film IMO. 5.) I never liked the idea that Johaun Schmidt took an exerimental dose of the SSS. It was done in the 90's and to me, it just failed. I like the comics version where he was just plain taught to hate everyone but his own kind. THATS who the Skull is. A product of a madman bent on the complete destruction of a race of people that he blamed for his owm hardships. Smart as a whip and full of hate, especially for someone who coddles the weak as he sees Cap doing. I just see Cap doing everything he can to outsmart the Skull but he just always seems to be one step behind because there are just somethings he's not willing to do to bring the Skull down even though deep down he knows one day he'll have to. Thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Jackwagon - 10/25/2011, 1:20 PM
@ Macksimus: Youre right about the look. I too was hoping for more grit like Band of Brothers. Definitely could have used a couple of scenes where there was some bonding/comeraudery going on and everyone coming to realize that there might be something special going on here.
Jackwagon - 10/25/2011, 1:26 PM
Also: I initially hated the uniform because of the shoulder pads and gray straps but after seeing that gay ass, BS, crap that they are having him wear in the Avengers? I'll take it. Still, they should have Thor provide him with some of that enchanted, chainmail like armor that he wears. It would definitely look more like the traditional style that we have been seeing lately.
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