Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Captain America: The First Avenger is the fifth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and serves as the origin story of Steve Rogers, a scrawny young man from Brooklyn who becomes one of the most iconic heroes in the Marvel franchise. Directed by Joe Johnston, the film blends period-war drama with superhero flair, and sets the stage for many events that follow in the MCU.

Detailed Summary

From Brooklyn to Boot Camp

Set during World War II, the film opens in the 1940s, where Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a frail but determined man repeatedly trying to enlist in the U.S. Army. Despite being rejected multiple times due to his physical limitations, his unwavering spirit catches the eye of Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), a German scientist working with the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Erskine recruits Steve into a secret super-soldier experiment.

The Birth of Captain America

Steve undergoes a dramatic transformation through the “Super Soldier Serum,” turning into a taller, stronger, and faster version of himself. However, right after the procedure, a Hydra spy assassinates Dr. Erskine, leaving Steve as the only successful test subject. Initially, the military doesn’t utilize Steve in combat but instead parades him in costume as “Captain America” to sell war bonds.

Into the Battle: The Howling Commandos

Frustrated by his limited role, Steve goes rogue to rescue a group of captured soldiers, including his best friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), from a Hydra facility run by Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), aka Red Skull. Red Skull, empowered by the Tesseract (a mysterious cosmic artifact), leads Hydra in a quest for world domination. After proving his worth, Steve is finally sent into real combat and forms the Howling Commandos, an elite unit that takes the fight to Hydra.

Loss, Sacrifice, and Confrontation

Steve and his team raid several Hydra bases, but tragedy strikes when Bucky falls to his apparent death during a mission. Fueled by loss, Steve becomes more aggressive in hunting down Red Skull. Eventually, he infiltrates Hydra’s main base, where Red Skull plans to use a massive bomber to destroy major cities. During the final confrontation aboard the flying wing aircraft, Red Skull attempts to harness the Tesseract’s power, but the artifact activates and teleports him to an unknown location (later revealed to be Vormir in Infinity War). The Tesseract then burns through the ship and falls into the ocean.

Movie Ending

In the climax, Steve realizes the aircraft is on a crash course for New York, carrying bombs meant to devastate the U.S. Knowing he can’t safely land the plane without risking millions of lives, Steve contacts Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) over the radio to say goodbye, promising a dance they’ll never have. He then crashes the plane into the Arctic, sacrificing himself to save the world.

Decades later, Steve is discovered in a frozen state by S.H.I.E.L.D. and revived. He awakens in modern-day New York City, disoriented but alive. The film closes with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) approaching him and proposing a new mission—setting the stage for The Avengers (2012).

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes. The film features a mid-credits scene and a post-credits teaser.

• Mid-Credits: Steve is punching a punching bag in a modern gym. Nick Fury approaches and informs him about an urgent situation, teasing the formation of the Avengers.
• Post-Credits: A full teaser trailer for The Avengers plays, making it the first major look at the 2012 ensemble film and generating massive buzz for the MCU’s future.

Type of Movie

• Genre: Superhero, Action, Sci-Fi, War, Adventure
• Tone: Inspirational, heroic, nostalgic (evoking classic wartime propaganda films)

Cast

• Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America
• Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter
• Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes
• Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips
• Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt / Red Skull
• Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark
• Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine
• Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury (cameo)

Film Music and Composer

The musical score was composed by Alan Silvestri, who brought a classic, heroic sound to the film. His themes for Captain America became iconic and are revisited in later Avengers movies. The score blends patriotism with adventure, fitting the 1940s wartime setting.

Filming Locations

• United Kingdom: Most filming took place at Shepperton Studios and Pinewood Studios.
• Manchester, Liverpool, and London were used to double as 1940s Brooklyn and European war zones.
• Los Angeles was used for the post-freeze, modern-day scenes.

The period look of the film was achieved through careful set design, digital effects, and costume work to accurately capture the WWII era.

Awards and Nominations

• Won:
  • Saturn Award for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture
• Nominated:
  • Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Visual Effects
  • Teen Choice Awards for Sci-Fi Movie Actor/Actress
  • People’s Choice Awards

While not a major awards contender, the film was praised for its production design, effects, and faithfulness to its comic origins.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Chris Evans initially declined the role multiple times due to fears about fame and typecasting. He eventually accepted after discussing it with Robert Downey Jr.
• Hugo Weaving disliked the heavy makeup required for Red Skull and was not eager to reprise the role.
• The “skinny Steve” sequences were achieved by digitally shrinking Evans’ body using a combination of body doubles and VFX.
• Hayley Atwell’s spontaneous touch of Steve’s chest during his transformation was unscripted and left in due to its genuine reaction.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on Captain America Comics created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in 1941. Inspirations include:

• WWII propaganda films
• Pulp adventure serials
• Real-life WWII history and military aesthetics

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several deleted scenes include:

• Extended scenes of Steve’s bond with the Howling Commandos
• More interaction between Steve and Peggy, including a heartfelt moment where she confronts his sacrifice
• A slightly longer final scene showing more of Steve adjusting to the modern world

No significantly different alternate endings were developed, but Bucky’s fall was originally more graphic.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie loosely adapts several elements from the “Captain America: The First Avenger” comic runs, especially:

• His origin story
• The Red Skull conflict
• Introduction of Peggy Carter

Differences include:

• Bucky is reimagined as Steve’s peer and army buddy, not a teenage sidekick as in the comics.
• The Tesseract is introduced earlier than in comics as a pivotal cosmic object (a retcon to fit the MCU Infinity Saga).

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Steve jumping on a grenade to save his squad during training.
• His first mission rescuing Bucky and hundreds of soldiers.
• The emotional goodbye with Peggy over the radio.
• Red Skull’s disintegration via the Tesseract.

Iconic Quotes

• “I don’t want to kill anyone. I don’t like bullies; I don’t care where they’re from.” – Steve Rogers
• “I can do this all day.” – Steve Rogers
• “You’re late.” – Peggy Carter (a line that carries emotional weight later in Endgame)

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The Tesseract is one of the Infinity Stones, though that’s not revealed until later MCU films.
• Howard Stark (Tony Stark’s father) plays a major role, subtly building MCU connectivity.
• The original Human Torch (Chris Evans’ earlier superhero role in Fantastic Four) can be seen in a display at the Stark Expo.
• The SSR eventually evolves into S.H.I.E.L.D.

Trivia

• This was the first MCU film chronologically in terms of story timeline (until Captain Marvel and Eternals came along).
• The film inspired the ABC series Agent Carter, which followed Peggy Carter’s post-war missions.
• Chris Evans signed a multi-film contract with Marvel, covering all major Avengers films and cameos.

Why Watch?

• It’s the emotional and moral anchor of the MCU.
• Steve Rogers’ transformation from underdog to hero is timeless and inspiring.
• The film balances war-movie grit with comic book fantasy, making it more grounded than many later MCU entries.
• It sets up crucial plot points for The Avengers, Winter Soldier, Civil War, and Endgame.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Rocketeer (1991)
• Jumanji (1995)
• Jurassic Park III (2001)
• October Sky (1999)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Iron Man (2008)
• Thor (2011)
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
• The Rocketeer (1991)
• Wonder Woman (2017)
• X-Men: First Class (2011)