MCU Commentary Rewatch: Captain America: The First Avenger

(Cover art by Matt Ferguson, for the Blu Ray release. https://www.cakesandcomics.com/)

I can talk about my love for this movie until the cows come home. It’s one of the finest achievements of the genre, and the final piece of setup needed to make the AVENGERS a reality. I’m really looking forward to hearing director Joe Johnston, DP Shelly Johnson, and editor Jeffrey Ford telling me how one of my favorite movies came to be.

TL:DR;

Running Ranking: #1 of 5

For reference, the (at present) publicly available information on the film.

https://en.wikipedia.org/…/Captain_America:_The_First…

Commentary Takeaways:

This was two hours of three professionals talking about shot pulling, lighting, set dressing, and digitally composited shots. They also referenced the plot on occasion, but only in service to how AWESOME this movie is.

L poked her head in right at the end and asked how it was going, and I told her the above. She said “that’s way too much wonk for me.”

It’s almost enough.

They discuss the supporting performances of Stanley Tucci! (of loooove) and Tommy Lee Jones. They go into the eerie way Hugo Weaving can transform himself at the drop of a hat.

They even talked about how Hayley Atwell’s audition piece was her final scene in the movie, and how she had the whole set sobbing with the raw emotion of her performance.

It’s everything I could have wanted in a commentary track short of an invitation to sit in the room with them while it’s being recorded.

It should be noted that I did not fall asleep once during this movie. It should also be noted that the CGI was used sparingly, to composite shots and multiply extras where necessary. I expect to fall asleep multiple times during THE AVENGERS.

Commentary Ranking:

1. CAPTAIN AMERICA: TFA

2. IRON MAN 2

3. INCREDIBLE HULK

4. IRON MAN

5. THOR