Captain America's Ears Shield Him from Hurtful Comments
Captain America (1990) capsule review
Before the recent, big-budget Captain America movies from Marvel Studios, fans of the comic book superhero had to remain content with the low-budget, 1990 version of Cap.
Before ol' Cap could face the Red Skull, he had to battle through a lot of red tape. Originally intended to be released in theaters in 1990, the Captain America movie was eventually released direct-to-video in the USA, in the summer of 1992. However, it was released theatrically in the UK in 1990, although it was limited.
Snappy, Cappy Comeback!
Fifty years ago, you were Dr. Vaselli's ridiculous idea. You remain a clownish symbol that no one cares about. - Red Skull
OK, I must admit that is not an actual quote from ol' Cap in the movie. I couldn't resist poking a little fun at Cap's obvious rubber ears. Feel free to use the GIF in your social media whenever you are being trolled by somebody.
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Cap Crib Notes
- Steve Rogers/Captain America is played by Matt Salinger, son of J.D. Salinger who is the author of Cather in the Rye
- Captain America's mask is equipped with rubber ears, for some unknown reason
- Red Skull is Italian in this version and gets a plastic-surgery makeover to beautify himself
- Captain America fakes being sick to his stomach twice to steal a car.
- Cap's costume does not look very breathable
- Half the starring cast of Deliverance is in this (Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty)
- Melinda Dillon (Slap Shot, A Christmas Story, Close Encounters of the Third Kind) plays Mrs. Rogers
- Cap's mighty shield looks like acrylic rather than Vibranium
- budget was $10 million (about $20 million in 2018)
- directed by Albert Pyun (Cyborg, The Sword and the Sorcerer, Kickboxer 2)
Available on Blu-ray!
Re-Cap
Although it is not a great movie, maybe not even good, I can appreciate what director Albert Pyun was able to do with a small budget.
Matt Salinger does not have the same muscular physique as Chris Evans but he's at least as charismatic, maybe more. Except for the rubber ears, he looks fine in the costume, which is not impressive, but it's not terrible. It does look like he would sweat profusely in it on a hot summer day, though. Since he is the son of Cather in the Rye's J.D. Salinger, I guess this movie could have been titled Captain America Guy.
I enjoyed the scenes in which Captain America throws his mighty shield. I thought they were well done, along with most of the action scenes. However, Captain America faking a belly ache is very weak and un-superhero-like. I hope the rest of the Justice League does not find out about it.
I don't understand why the Red Skull's character was changed from a German to an Italian. Also, to achieve his appearance, they had to rely on primitive prosthetics, unlike the CGI help that Hugo Weaving had in Captain America: The First Avenger.
I suspect he was a little embarrassed about it.
Captain America is a mediocre movie but B-movie fans just might find it an enjoyable watch.