--- title: "Captain America: The First Avenger" year: 2011 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/captain-america-the-first-avenger" fi1m_score: 64 critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 24 published: "2026-09-19T11:52:13.269379+00:00" updated: "2026-09-19T11:52:24.964813+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Directed by Joe Johnston · 2h 04m · MPA PG-13 · Action, Adventure, Science Fiction **Fi1m score: 64** · Critics 62 from 24 reviews *In a sentence:* Forty minutes of a small brave man, then eighty of a large one throwing a dustbin lid > Joe Johnston’s wartime origin story is at its best before its hero has any muscles. The first hour, with Chris Evans as a small stubborn man and Stanley Tucci as the doctor who believes in him, is warm and careful; then the montages start. ## Synopsis New York, 1942. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a slight, asthmatic Brooklyn boy, has been rejected by the army again and again and keeps trying under false addresses, while his friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) ships out with his unit. At the World Exposition of Tomorrow, where Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) shows off a car that hovers for a moment and drops, Rogers is overheard by Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), a German doctor with a serum who wants a good man rather than a strong one to test it on. Erskine sends him to training camp under Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). In Norway, meanwhile, Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), head of the Nazi science division Hydra, has taken a glowing cube from a church. ## Review Joe Johnston has made a Second World War adventure in which the superhero is close to an afterthought, and for an hour that is the right idea. *Captain America: The First Avenger* is a 1940s pulp serial with a large budget: a Nazi science division gone freelance, a glowing cube looted from a church in Norway, a small Brooklyn man who wants to enlist and keeps being told no. Johnston made *The Rocketeer* in 1991 and this is the same instinct with more money. The first hour is the reason to stay. Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers first as a slight, hollow-chested man, his head placed by computer on a smaller body, and we stopped looking for the join within a scene. He plays Rogers as someone knocked down often enough to have stopped minding, who gives one reason for wanting to fight: he does not like bullies. Stanley Tucci’s Erskine, the German doctor who picks him from a recruitment queue, argues the film’s one idea over a bottle of schnapps, that a weak man knows what strength is worth. Tucci plays him tired and kind, and the idea holds. The grenade scene is where the film got us. At training camp, Tommy Lee Jones’s Colonel Phillips tosses a dummy grenade into a squad of recruits; everyone runs, and Rogers throws himself on top of it and shouts at the others to get back. It lasts perhaps fifteen seconds and moved us more than a scene about a fake grenade has any business doing, because Evans plays it as reflex rather than decision. Jones watches with the face of a man who has just lost a bet and is not sorry. He gets the best lines and delivers each one as if it were costing him money. Rick Heinrichs builds a 1940s that has been reading its own science fiction magazines: the Expo’s flying car; Hydra’s factory of black steel and blue lightning. Shelly Johnson shoots Brooklyn in tobacco browns and the Hydra interiors in cold cobalt, so the two sides of the war are never lit the same way. Anna B. Sheppard’s first Captain America outfit is a stage costume, tights and a painted shield, worn by a man selling war bonds in front of a chorus line. Alan Silvestri supplies a brass march and sticks to it. The bond tour, with chorus girls and a Hitler impersonator punched nightly, is the one time the film is funny about its own flag. Then Rogers gets the real shield and the film gets impatient. Jeffrey Ford and Robert Dalva cut the war as montage: Rogers, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky, Neal McDonough in a bowler hat and Derek Luke blow up one Hydra base after another, and the film skips the story it spent an hour setting up. Hugo Weaving’s Johann Schmidt is a good idea, a Nazi too vain for the Nazis, and Weaving gives him a clipped amusement the script never feeds; he spends most of the film in a control room shouting at Toby Jones. The set pieces are competent and weightless: the shield comes back like a boomerang, the henchmen fall over, nobody bleeds. By the third base we had stopped counting and were checking how long was left. Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter fires a pistol at the shield to test it and is then given little else to do. [*Raiders of the Lost Ark*](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark) (1981) is the obvious model: Nazis, a glowing artefact, a hero who gets thrown through things. But Spielberg built his set pieces around one problem at a time, and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely build theirs around a timetable. The last stretch is busy arranging furniture for a film that has not started yet. See it for the small man. Evans’s Rogers before the serum is as well drawn a hero as this cycle of films has managed, and Tucci and Jones are worth the evening on their own. Watch it at home, where the montages are easier to forgive, and do not be surprised if your attention leaves the room around the hour mark; the film’s does. It runs 124 minutes and carries a 12A. *Fi1m score 64, published 19 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics come down in favour, but only just: half the reviews are positive and the rest split between mixed and hostile. Where they agree is on the first hour. The 1940s setting, the newsreel look of the production design and the effects that shrink Chris Evans into a scrawny Steve Rogers are widely praised, and Evans is credited with an earnest, likeable hero who stands apart in the genre. Joe Johnston’s direction is thought brisk and pleasingly old-fashioned. The reservations cluster on what follows the transformation. Once the fighting begins, many find the set pieces routine and effects-heavy, the Red Skull a thin villain and the ending a piece of Avengers housekeeping rather than a climax. The spread is wide. HeyUGuys thinks Marvel has not done better since Iron Man; The Times can find little to admire beyond one scene with Tommy Lee Jones, and Variety thinks the appealing everyman becomes a bore once he bulks up. ### Reviews we read (24) - **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (3.5/4): Ebert enjoyed the film as a real movie with texture and a hero who has dimension, praising its period settings, narrative propulsion by director Joe Johnston, and first-rate CGI, especially the seamless transformation of Chris Evans. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/captain-america-the-first-avenger-2011) - **Little White Lies**, Lewis Bazley (2/4/4): The critic finds it a fast, thrilling and unashamedly old-fashioned adventure that falls in with Marvel’s best, thanks to great performances and pitch-perfect tone. Evans excels as the likeable hero and Johnston handles the conventional story well, though 3D and the Red Skull are drawbacks. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/captain-america-first-avenger/) - **The AV Club**, Tasha Robinson (B): It balances crowd-pleasing elements like action, humor, and sincerity into fleet, gleeful fun with strong set pieces and cast support, though the ending miscalculates and the lead loses nuance after transformation. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/captain-america-the-first-avenger-1798168981) - **Total Film**, Matthew Leyland (75/100, inferred): The review notes that the film succeeds in focusing on individual pluck rather than flag-waving, with Evans delivering a strong turn and Johnston handling the origin story pacing reasonably, though the Red Skull falls short as a threat and the setup for sequels is handled unevenly. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/captain-america-review/) - **IndieWire**, Christopher Campbell (70/100, inferred): It captivates with spectacle and thrills as a solid superhero origin story better than some recent Marvel films, but lacks depth in character development and emotional engagement. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/news/general/captain-america-the-first-avenger-captivates-but-has-little-care-for-character-226739/) - **The Independent**, Nicholas Barber (70/100, inferred): The critic calls it one of the more joyful superhero films thanks to its World War II period setting and old-fashioned Saturday matinee spirit, praising the fun direction and production design while noting the lack of real tension once the action begins due to excessive CGI. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/captain-america-the-first-avenger-joe-johnston-124-mins-12a-arrietty-hiromasa-yonebayashi-94-mins-u-horrid-henry-the-movie-nick-moore-90-mins-u-2328988.html) - **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (70/100, inferred): Johnston and the writers craft a nifty, highly entertaining pulpy action film that makes the divisive hero relatable via its period WWII setting and witty jabs at patriotism. Action and characters are well handled but can feel slight or overcrowded, with blurry 3D and an unsatisfying Avengers-setup ending holding it back. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/captain-america-the-first-avenger) - **Vulture**, David Edelstein (70/100, inferred): The first half excels with classical pacing, wonderful production design, and old-fashioned craftsmanship evoking 1940s newsreels, but the story is nothing special and later action feels by-the-numbers once effects dominate. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2011/07/movie_review_captain_america.html) - **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (65/100, inferred): Turan found the film familiar and pro forma as a Marvel origins story and Avengers setup, but singled out Chris Evans for bringing appealing earnestness and humility to Steve Rogers that stands out in the superhero genre. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jul-22-la-et-captain-america-20110722-story.html) - **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (2.5/4): It gives sturdy treatment to the jingoistic hero with strong early humanization of Steve Rogers and flair in set pieces, but is unremarkable overall due to a bifurcated structure where the origin half outshines the generic later combat. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/captain-america-the-first-avenger/) - **Evening Standard** (60/100, inferred): The review highlights the retro-sincerity and brand piety of the origin story, singling out Chris Evans' touching and engaging performance across both weakling and super-soldier phases, while criticizing the lack of irony and genuine patriotism. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/captain-america-the-first-avenger-review-7425985.html) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (3/5): The big showdowns may be run-of-the-mill but a clever postmodern twist pushes Captain America to the front of the superhero pack this summer. The stylish origin myth explaining the hero's comic-book beginnings is smart and inventive, though the later action sequences are competent but unremarkable. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jul/28/captain-america-film-review) - **Empire**, Colin Kennedy (55/100, inferred): Johnston's film is praised for its confident start, retro-futuristic look, and Evans' transformation, but criticized for choppy plotting, pedestrian set-pieces, and a stiff hero once in battle, with modern bookends undermining the climax. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/first-avenger-captain-america-review/) - **Screen Daily** (50/100, inferred): The film leads with old-fashioned charm and a knowingly corny, sweet nostalgia rather than pyrotechnics, embracing a square, amiable tone with some heart. It lacks narrative ingenuity and a compelling central character beyond the iconic elements, making most action set pieces mundane and the overall result rather ordinary. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/captain-america-the-first-avenger/5029995.article) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Kirk Honeycutt (50/100, inferred): The film sticks to simplistic patriotic origins and delivers competent comic-book action with a strong cast led by Chris Evans, but feels routine and unremarkable compared to other recent Marvel entries like X-Men: First Class. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/captain-america-first-avenger-film-213287/) - **Variety**, Peter Debruge (40/100, inferred): Debruge called the film red, white and bland, a by-the-numbers prequel that comes across as remarkably flat despite earnest direction and a strong cast, criticizing the transformation of the relatable Everyman hero into a dull meathead. [Read](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/captain-america-the-first-avenger-1117945677/) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (10/100, inferred): It is hard to find a good thing to say about this prequel except the steak-eating scene with Tommy Lee Jones. The film is an abomination filled with arbitrary chases, pointless dialogue, endless montages and vacant lead performances. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/captain-america-the-first-avenger-ptkf0pbpzvg) - **HeyUGuys**, Ben Mortimer (4.5/5): The critic loved the film and felt it captured Captain America and Steve Rogers perfectly. It is entertaining, witty, and the most complete Marvel movie since Iron Man, with strong fan service and humor. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/our-very-fanyboyish-captain-america-the-first-avenger-review/) - **Den of Geek**, James Hunt (4/5): The critic praises the film's speedy action-adventure, strong cast, charming period aesthetic, and even-handed portrayal of WWII, noting it entertains without insulting intelligence but lacks depth. They single out the first hour's exploration of Rogers and the overall entertainment value. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/captain-america-the-first-avenger-review/) - **/Film**, Angie Han (8.0/10): It is a genuinely enjoyable film that ranks high among summer blockbusters thanks to Joe Johnston's direction and Chris Evans' performance, getting right much of what Thor and Green Lantern could not. Evans is fantastically well-cast, making the audience believe in him as both character and hero. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/516673/captain-america-avenger-review/) - **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (B): It is a well-paced, classical, muscular and sturdy superhero tale that is handsome, earnest, and delivers an old-school adventure with strong visuals, art design, and action sequences. The period WWII setting and grounded motivations make it effective and stand-alone, though sometimes facile. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-captain-america-swells-with-patriotic-pride-delivers-an-old-school-superhero-adventure-20110720/) - **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (40/100, inferred): The review criticizes the film as dull, straight-faced, and earnest, lacking humor and depth compared to other Marvel films or Indiana Jones; Evans' character is bland, and it fails to engage dramatically. They single out the absence of the fish-out-of-water scenario and comparison to lesser films like Green Lantern. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a331028/captain-america-the-first-avenger-review/) - **The Wrap** (35/100, inferred): The critic views the film as another labored and unoriginal superhero effort in a weak summer slate, with the big emotional moments falling flat despite some effective details. Special effects transforming the hero and the 1940s USO sequences are singled out as highlights amid the familiarity. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/captain-america-red-white-and-blown-opportunity-29258/) - **Eye for Film**, Max Crawford (30/100, inferred): The film feels like watching a trailer for a much better movie it wishes it had made, existing mostly as setup for The Avengers with little character development beyond Cap. Tommy Lee Jones gives an excellent performance with some witty lines, but Evans lacks the needed charisma. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/captain-america-the-first-avenger-film-review-by-stuart-crawford) ## Details - **Director:** Joe Johnston - **Director:** Joe Johnston - **Screenplay:** Stephen McFeely, Christopher Markus - **Cinematography:** Shelly Johnson - **Editor:** Robert Dalva, Jeffrey Ford - **Music:** Alan Silvestri - **Production design:** Rick Heinrichs - **Costume design:** Anna B. Sheppard - **Producer:** Kevin Feige - **Cast:** Chris Evans as Captain America / Steve Rogers; Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter; Sebastian Stan as James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes; Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips; Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt / Red Skull; Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark; Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger; Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine - **Runtime:** 2h 04m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13 - **Release (the US):** 22 July 2011 - **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Science Fiction - **Budget:** $140 million - **Box office:** $371 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4DlMggBPvc ## Where to watch in the US - Disney+: streaming, uhd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, sd - Apple TV: buy $14.99, sd *Checked 2026-09-19.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *The Rocketeer* (1991): Johnston’s earlier go at propellers, Nazis and a decent man in a silly suit. - *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), Fi1m 93: The model for all of this, with one problem per set piece. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md) - *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* (2014), Fi1m 77: The sequel that finds the tension this one keeps mislaying. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-the-winter-soldier.md) - *Hellboy* (2004), Fi1m 71: Nazis, occult machinery and a hero who would rather be eating. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/hellboy.md) - *Where Eagles Dare* (1968): The British war film this keeps half-remembering: castles, disguises, Richard Burton. --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/captain-america-the-first-avenger