Haven't seen it but given that review I think it could be broken out as follows:
If you are a comic book fanatic: 9.5/10 stars
If you are average joe: 7/10 stars
If you are a film snob: 5/10 stars
I've seen the preview and it looks like a decent action flick. Transformers 3 was a decent action flick too...but no way I'd rate it up there with "The Kings Speech", "The Hurt Locker", or "Slumdog Millionaire".
Ask any fan of Transformers and they will think I am a film snob. Also, there is almost no comparison between Transformers 3 and Captain America. If this were food Captain America would be your favorite dessert or treat. It's not healthy for you but you love it and it has been perfectly prepared. Transformers 3 is an improperly prepared dessert. Its sweet and unhealthy and has all the same stuff as your favorite treat, but it wasn't mixed properly, had the wrong amount of ingredients, and it wasn't cooked long enough or at the right temperature, so it may make you sick.
It should also be noted that I don't give a gorram what the average joe or film snob think. I didn't have to turn off my brain to enjoy it and Citizen Kane would have made a crappy action flick. The only way people can't see this as an incredibly good film is if you aren't one who would find the source material to be an incredibly good story either. You should also note that I did use one example to point out how this film succeeds over technical issues common among the current popular comic book films.
And I think that if you all took a look at some of the supporting actors you would see that talent was brought in on this film. Tommy Lee Jones steals every scene he is in. Stanley Tucci did an amazing job, and the casting director made a brilliant decision by taking Band of Brothers alum, Neal McDonough, and making him Dum Dum Dugan.
In the genre of Captain America films...I'm sure it gets a 9.5/10.
But how would you rate it in the genre of Comic book films, comparing it to the likes of the entire Batman series, Dick Tracey, X-Men, etc... I've seen some online lists that put the latest Batman at the top, but I think Heath Ledger's death skewed those polls. In 5 years the Tim Burton Batmans will be placed above it for re-inventing the character and the genre as a whole.
Then furthermore, how would you rate it in the genre of action films?
Keep in mind, I prefer the Iron Man films over the Batman films. The Batman films are technically good films, but they take everything out of the comic aspect. It has been the secret of Nolan's success (Technically Frank Miller), stripping the comic from a comic book story. The same can be said for Allan Moore (and Zack Snyder) with Watchmen, but then that was the point of Watchmen. The Marvel movies on the other hand are taking a comic book story and translating it as directly as possible to film. Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne are both brilliant, rich playboys who use their mind and money to become heroes. Batman does it because he is haunted by the ghosts of his parents. Tony Stark does it because, well, its fun. Marvel basically asks if you remember running around in your Superman Underoos with a blanket on your shoulders thinking how awesome it would be to be a superhero, then they say, "So do we." And that is what you get. WB is asking if we know what it is like to be so angry at the world that we like to wear black and speak in gravelly tones while beating up all the bullies that represent those who killed his parents.
To me, the recent Batman films are in a comic sub-genre with films like Watchmen, 300, Sin City, Darkman, etc. I almost don't like to make the comparisons because they are so very different that the subjectivity is based on style preference.
But this has probably become my favorite comic film. It also has the benefit of adding the WWII drama to it. And when you compare the characters' motivations; Tony Stark is just having a bit too much fun, Bruce Wayne really needs a therapist, but Captain America just doesn't like bullies. You can't not like this guy.
As for action films, it is definitely the best one this year. Not only is the action well done, but it doesn't leave me shaking my head at the story.
And now I cannot wait for The Avengers. Purely to watch Tony Stark and Steven Rogers face each other down. Tony stark can't keep his mouth shut and Steven Rogers won't silently stand by while someone like that crosses the line.
good movie
