 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Captain America: The First Avenger
- Review Date: July 22, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Comic book adventure mixes patriotism, explosive action.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while this 1940s-set comic book-based superhero adventure is full of explosive action violence -- expect tons of gun battles, fireballs, and fistfights (all of which are even more in-your-face in the 3-D version of the movie), as well as a scary-looking villain -- in most other respects, it's pretty tame as these kinds of movies go. Captain America is wholesome, compassionate, and brave; he doesn't have the dark side that many other superheroes do, and he's not a ladies' man or a party animal. There are a couple of tame kisses and a little bit of drinking, as well as a few uses of words like "hell" and "ass," but what lingers after the last bomb has exploded and the last fight is over are the movie's messages about standing up against bullies and doing the right thing. (That and a very strong sense of "U.S.A! U.S.A!" patriotism.)
What's the story?
It's 1942, and World War II is raging. Despite the fact that he's frail and asthmatic, all that Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants is to join the Army so he can have a chance to fight Nazi bullies. That chance comes in the form of Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), a scientist who's developed a special serum that turns scrawny Steve into brawny Captain America. After being sidelined by Col. Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and turned into a one-man recruiting ad/war bond salesman, Rogers gets back into the thick of things when a rescue mission uncovers intelligence about the nefarious plans of HYDRA, a Nazi experimental science division led by evil Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving). With the help of a motley crew of soldiers and lovely-and-capable Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Rogers focuses on stopping Schmidt before the villain can unleash his mysterious, extremely powerful super weapons on the world.
Is it any good?
If you crossed Raiders of the Lost Ark with Hellboy and added a dash of Pearl Harbor and director Joe Johnston's own The Rocketeer, you'd be well on your way to creating CAPTAIN AMERICA -- a well-paced, patriotic World War II adventure with an undercurrent of sci-fi/fantasy mysticism and a hero who's very easy to root for. Rogers/Captain America is such a good guy, in fact, that he's sometimes a little bland -- he's definitely a great role model, but you might find yourself wishing he had a bit of Wolverine or Tony Stark's snark. (The movie's a little short on humor overall, actually; Captain America's ragtag team of soldiers provides most of the laughs, but they don't get all that much screen time.)
Speaking of Tony Stark, those who are well-versed in their Marvel history will enjoy seeing Dominic Cooper as Tony's equally suave/tech-savvy father, Howard, in a supporting role. And there are plenty of other moments that fans of the comics will enjoy, too -- when pre-makeover Steve uses a garbage can lid as an impromptu defense, for instance, foreshadowing his iconic shield, or the way the movie ends (it would be a spoiler to say more). All in all, Captain America is an entertaining adventure -- rah-rah patriotism and all (it works well within the 1940s setting) -- but it lacks that certain something that could have made it a cultural touchstone.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what sets Captain America apart from other superheroes. How does he compare to Batman? Iron Man? Is he more or less of a "good guy" than those characters?
At one point Steve Rogers says he doesn't want to kill anybody, but during the movie he dispatches plenty of bad guys. Was that his only option?
How does the fact that much of the movie's violence is larger than life affect its impact? How is it different watching masked human soldiers (like the HYDRA minions) get hurt than individual characters?
What did you think of the scenes where Captain America performed on stage to inspire people to buy war bonds and join the Army? What does that say about the role of celebrities in our society?
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AGE
great movie
this movie is very good. it has a good message and the captain is a good role model. i think the movie is good for ages 7 and up.
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AGE
Standard but still a well-done film
"Captain America" is good if for just one thing: A model of what superheroes at least SHOULD be. Not what they should strive to be (Because really who can make movies as good as "Batman Begins" and "Iron Man?") but what they should be. Decent blockbuster summer films that deliver on the action, have a few fine performances, hot chicks, and a solid plot to keep the story moving while the hero (a great Chris Evans) beats up the bad guy (a well made-up Hugo Weaving.) Bravo, Capt. America!
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AGE
Captain Amazing<3
I loooovvvveeeeddd this movie, but it was extremely violent!!! I especially loved Chris Evans who was pretty much the hottest soldier ever in his uniform. Peggy Carter was an amazing role model as well as Steve himself. They were both fearless and showed that you could do anything. Amazing movie and extremely impressive affects. It really showed how far we've come:) Go and see it!
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AGE
Capt America movie should lead kids back to original source books!
This is the latest is a series of adaptations of comic book heroes to the silver screen. Early versions (1960s) of the hero are still available in reprint and support this vision of the character, while more recent adaptations (2000-2011) are somewhat darker, or real world tinged for the older comic book fan who craved an updating. For supportive graphic novels on Captain America and the Avengers, find a comic book shop near you and ask them for recommendations that are age appropriate. Best answer: Marvel Masterworks collection of the 1960s as a solo character or leading the Avengers. Most are available in soft cover trade paperbacks for a reasonable price. Make CERTAIN to ask the clerk what age group the comic is aimed at.
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AGE
Good superhero flick
I watched it on the premiere date. It was good, but I may have not liked it as much since I had a harder time understanding what was going on during that time period (I knew it was when they were fighting the Nazis, though). But I also felt like it was missing something. But it had a good storyline. It was surprisingly clean for a PG-13; there was violence, but it wasn't outrageous, the sexual content was mainly kissing, there was some language (mostly h-ll and an a-s), and some mild drinking. Overall good movie (make sure you watch the after-credits scene).
Written on 9.9.11
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Kid, 12 years old
July 24, 2011
AGE
*Great Movie*
I thought it was a great movie, very cool superhero type, and world war #2 type movie.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 23, 2011
AGE
ok
it was a good but bad movie
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AGE
one of marvels best
This movie is clean the vilonce is not extreme. I was suprised it was not PG. The villan is not scary.
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AGE
Violence is violence but love is silence.
I work in the child protection arena and can tell you this movie requires a viewing at home with the parents. The initial review I read is appalling to list all the violence but other than that it is pretty tame. Kids do not process images the same as adults because they physiliogically cannot do this yet, for girls 14 boys 17. I see the result of over stimulation of violent images creating symptoms identical to ADD. They see around them and know they are not supposed to be scared so they pretend they are big boys and girls but act it out later in the mall, restaurant, car or back at home. Violence is violence no matter if a bigger than life unrealistic super hero is using it or creepy pete is using it because the ends does not justify the means. People are embarassed when they are reminded they are animals and respond with instinct to fear and violence. Old fashion 40's violence used to be American yet WWII veterans were in disappointed the mental health treatment Vietnam Veterans received when they lost their lives to Post Traumatic Distress Symptons having endured the same violent experiences.
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Joe Johnston |
| Cast: | Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 124 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 22, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | October 25, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action |
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