Review by C.J. Bunce
It’s hard to believe it’s been 13 years since Marvel Studios released the best of the Infinity Saga, Captain America: The First Avenger. Its adaptation had more to overcome of any comic book story put to film, and the process behind the production is in bookstores now with the release of Captain America: The First Avenger–The Art of the Movie, part of Titan Books’ re-sized, re-issue of the behind-the scenes looks at all the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies through Avengers: Endgame. Along with an uncommon director, a re-imagined hero from World War II and Marvel’s best villain re-creation, the book will remind you of all the reasons to re-watch this film again.
For all of us that knew of Joe Johnston as the concept artist and visual effects pro behind the original Star Wars trilogy and Raiders of the Lost Ark, directing a big Marvel movie was a surprise. But he had directed films before, like The Rocketeer, Jumanji, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Johnston discusses his journey to Captain America and his need to find a balance between the comics pages and history, to create a movie that gets it all right.
The book is cover-to-cover with concept artwork. The biggest feature is a look at many unused costumes leading up to the final looks for the main characters. Although costume designer Anna B. Sheppard isn’t interviewed, her work alone is reason to pick it up. Readers will also get impressions from the studio set from actors Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Richard Armitage, Sebastian Stan, and Hayley Atwell.
One segment includes storyboards behind the running scene where Evans ran barefoot (actually he wore shoes that looked like his feet) down the streets in a key chase sequence.
Recall many of us only knew Chris Evans as Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch of the Fantastic Four before this movie. Readers will see how the crew envisioned transforming Evans into both a puny 4F soldier applicant and a super-serum charged superhero. How did the writers balance the World War II of reality with Marvel’s comic book version? You’ll also see how the Red Skull was designed and built into the live-action supervillain read about in comics for eight decades, along with Hydra.
Cap’s supersuits, his shield, plus weapon props, sets, and key vehicles–they are all highlighted in Captain America: The First Avenger–The Art of the Movie. The book was written by Matthew K. Manning with a foreword by production designer Rick Heinrichs, and includes much commentary by Heinrichs, concept artist Ryan Meinerding, and producer Stephen Broussard, along with input from Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige.
It’s a great look back at the best of a decade of great superhero movies. Captain America: The First Avenger–The Art of the Movie is available now here at Amazon.
