The film is directed by Joe Johnston, better known for last summer’s Captain America: The First Avenger. That film’s success probably had more to do with this Blu-ray release than the “20th Anniversary” milestone quoted on the cover. But however it happened, it’s nice to finally get The Rocketeer in high definition.

How does it look? Good, if not great. Certainly the picture is miles above the previous DVD release, but it is still a bit washed out compared to other Blu-ray transfers from the early 90′s. But the sound is excellent; as good as I’ve ever heard the film.

The only real disappointment with this release is that it contains the film, a trailer, and nothing else. I know The Rocketeer wasn’t a huge hit for Disney, but certainly they could have sweetened the package a bit for the die hard fans. Any behind the scenes clips or deleted scenes would have helped make it a better value than the previous DVD, which also featured zero special features. To call it the “20th Anniversary” edition and feature just the trailer is kind of a cruel tease.

Still, how does the film hold up after all these years? It’s still slightly corny, but a lot of fun. By making the movie an earnest slice of pre-WW II nostalgia, Johnston gave it a timeless feel, respectful of it’s comic book roots and engaging to audiences of any age. Hopefully, this release will help expand The Rocketeer’s devoted fan base, and by the time the 30th Anniversary rolls around, we’ll get some extras we can celebrate. The Rocketeer is available in stores now, with a SRP of $26.50.

The film spends a healthy first act on Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as the digitally shrunken 90 lb. weakling. It establishes Rogers’ nobility and sincerity well so that you’re really proud of him when he becomes the super soldier, instead of resenting Evans for having such impressive abs.

'Captain America' Trailer: Still No Sympathy For Nazis

The ‘40s World War II setting does a lot to enhance the sense of wonder of a comic book movie. You really get to live in a fantasy world, with old New York City and a World’s Fair-esque Stark expo. The idea of Captain America first used as a marketing tool to sell war bonds makes the period really engaging. You get to see production numbers and the patriotism feels innocent when it’s WWII.

Supporting characters shine in this section too. Col. Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) is hardass deadpan funny. Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) never overdoes it as a potential love interest. The movie never really allows Rogers to enjoy his new ladies man status, but at least Carter isn’t reduced to an object.

6 photosHayley Atwell

Meanwhile Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) is so evil that the Nazis are too small time for him, so he starts his own Hydra party. Eventually we have to stop having fun so Rogers can rescue the troops Schmidt captured, expose him as Red Skull and fight bigger and badder opponents.

The action is actually not Captain America’s strong suit. A lot of it looks obviously green screen. I mean, when there are miles and miles of factory or warehouse behind them, I know they didn’t build that set. That makes a chase scene lack any feeling of distance. There are no knockdown, drag-out fights. Each confrontation has one gag that the enemy tries against Cap, and then he solves it.

It’s still fun to see the Steve Rogers we know is all heart finally get a body to match. His first foot chase through New York has the thrill of discovering his own strength, along with a few goofy jumps from car to car. A train sequence is well constructed, though still 50/50 fake looking. The montage really highlights all of Cap’s moves, and plenty of lame CG shots too, but it showcases his powers and there could be a whole other movie in those WWII missions.

I enjoyed the film overall, I’m just explaining why it’s not quite Spider-Man, or X-Men: First Class or even Iron Man. But if the fans of Iron Man can forgive a 15 minute flashback including a Powerpoint presentation of Stark family backstory, they should love Captain America equally, flaws and all.

Captain America hits theaters July 22. Check out the poster below.

See The Trailer For Danny Boyle's Stage 'Frankenstein'

You see, the property is really important to Universal, who wants to launch a series of films based around their classic monsters, so they’re going to reboot the franchise and go in a different direction. They’re even considering calling the film Werewolf. So Werewolf would be a reboot of The Wolfman, which was a remake of The Wolf Man. And who says Hollywood is out of ideas?

Screenwriter Michael Tabb’s Wolfman 2 script is apparently being re-written as a standalone feature, which will lean closer creatively to the 1941 Lon Chaney version rather than the most recent take. (Moviehole)

The fact that Captain America: The First Avenger shot in the UK kinda sucks Henry Cavill-style, but at least they’re dipping their shield into a little American location pie. These probably planned reshoots are rumored to be held on Friday in downtown Los Angeles, and are going under the awesome codename “Frostbite.” True believers shoul drive around LA all day looking for the shoot, because they may include Stan Lee’s cameo. Excelsior-riffic.

Directed by Joe Johnston and starring Chris Evans, the Capt’n raises his flag in theaters July 22nd. (On Location Vacations)

Here we see them filming the weakling-turns-into-buff-dude scene and the I’m-a-lady-and-don’t-want-to-sit-down-in-the-Jeep scene. The other two shots are production stills featuring Chris Evans as American Superhero Guy and Haley Atwell as Peggy Carter. I bet when these two finally hook-up, it’ll be like fireworks. Or rather, like a car exploding.

I feel like I’ve seen so many still photos from the movie that I could print them out, make a flip book of the complete film and save $37. Anyone know a printer who can do IMAX size? Speaking of ‘seen it before,’ you may see a lot of Indiana Jones influence in Captain America. Johnston addresses that in a recent interview with the LA Times. Quote below…

We used ‘Raiders’ as a template when we were developing the story, but we sort of moved away from it as time went on… This is futurism in the 1940s; if you went to 1942 and thought of what the future would be, that’s what the approach was. The villain has a much more futuristic style and his science and his apparatus — he has a whole design motif that is beyond 1942 but it’s what you might have perceived as futuristic from a 1942 vantage point… When you sit down to watch it, it’s certainly not ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ which is a very different kind of film in the final analysis. But sometimes when we had questions and we were stuck we would say, ‘What would Indiana Jones do?

This trailer-preview-thing for director Joe Johnston‘s Captain America comes courtesy of “Entertainment Tonight,” who got their glitziness and excessive voice over all over Cap’s shield. Disgusting. However, to quote the great Homer Simpson, “it’s still good. It’s still good.”

We’ve also got a very, very short clip from the trailer off Paramount‘s Twitter feed. If you blink and press play at the same time, you’ll miss what happens. Better get the clothespins out for those pesky eyelids. (Cinema Blend)

“This crazy device I’m getting into is safe, right?”

“This Rubik’s Cube sucks.”

Science: It Happens Here.

One of these soldiers is not like the other.

Neither of these people are Captain America. Bo-ring.

“Where can *I* get a nice suit?”

Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus, writers of the upcoming Captain America: The First Avenger, directed by Joe Johnston, have been tapped to write part deux. The internet’s assuming the sequel will take place in modern day, logically after the events of The Avengers. I wish all of Marvel’s movies had “Avenger” in the title. Thor: The Avenger God, Iron Man 3: That Guy’s An Avenger Too, The Avengers The Avengers Avenge.

Captain America, the new one that hasn’t come out yet, throws his shield into theaters July 22nd. (Collider)

Captain America: The First Avenger

“I watched the movie for the first time a few days ago and I just looked at the first cut and there is so much entertainment value — it’s just flat-out fun to watch. Maybe I’m somewhat biased — I was there [when we made it] — but, seriously, it’s funny, it’s exciting and there’s great visual effects.  The movie is going to be something more than people are expecting. This movie is going to surprise some people. It is the origin story of Captain America but it is also something rare — it’s a period superhero film but there’s great action in it. You don’t normally think of guys driving around in 1939 sedans in an action film but there are some great action beats in it. It’s just a helluva lot of fun to watch.”

Listen everybody, please don’t tell Joe Johnston about Raiders of the Lost Ark. The fact that someone else had the idea 30 years before he did to set an action movie in a time other than the present coul break his heart.

"Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go!"

As was done by Delirious-era Eddie Murphy before him, Chris Evans‘s Captain America is intent on showing the world how comfortable and mobile a leather bodysuit truly is. Here Cap glides effortlessly along the catwalk of a military base as he races to the men’s room. Will he make it back before his favorite show returns from commercial? Well, I’m not going to spoil it for you. You’ll have to buy a ticket this summer if you want to find out, friend.

It should be noted that while flexible enough for a full range of movements, leather doesn’t breathe that well. That’s why Captain America recommends carrying some Gold Bond Powder in your little brown utility belt. Gold Bond: Because when you’re protecting the free world from the red skeleton of a Nazi, you can’t let moisture stand in the way. (LA Times)

UPDATE: The X-Men trailer will not screen before The Green Hornet. Fox hasn’t decided on a roll-out date just yet. In time, my pretties. In time.

Last week “Entertainment Tonight” teased their exclusive first look at Captain America: The First Avenger. And then nothing. Well, where the hell is it? You can’t just give us four seconds and no pay-off. Are you trying to make us sympathize with our prom dates?

Word on the street is that the footage isn’t up to par yet. Whatever. I’m holding Billy Bush personally accountable.

The rumor began via a tweet from branding consultant Gregory Littley. He tweeted:

“Not good news…I’m hearing that the ‘Captain America: The First Avenger‘ trailer is being delayed. Footage isn’t ‘Amazing’.”

This shouldn’t cause too much alarm in the fan community just yet. After the negative response to the Thor footage leak, Marvel and Joe Johnston want to make sure they only share the best look possible. Especially with The Avengers partially riding on this. Whatever. I still choose to hold Billy Bush personally accountable. You’ll pay for this Billy!

Luckily, we won’t have that same problem with x-Men: First Class. That trailer is slated to arrive this Friday in front of Green Hornet. (via Movie Web and /Film)

Again, this is a really short video so there is unfortunately no information whether Evans worked out for the role or not. But that’s okay. We’ll sure to find out the answer to that riveting question (and possibly plot details) when “ET” airs its full exclusive. (Comic Book Movie)

_{Dat ass.}

This morning I posted Chris Evans as Captain America: The First Avenger looking all stoic on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Now I have more pictures for your eyeballs. The above pic focuses on Captain America‘s ass, or shield if you’d prefer. After the jump, check out Hugo Weaving as the early incarnation of Red Skull and Chris Evans shirtless **splashes glass of water on face**

(/Film)

That’s not morning wood you’re sporting. It’s an excitement boner from laying eyes on this first official pic of Chris Evans in his tight, slick Captain America costume from the new issue of EW. Look at him with his star and shield and strappy thingies. He’s like a cigar store Indian without the headdress, and more patriotic rags. I’m sure we’ll see a teaser trailer soon, as the movie hits theaters July 22, 2011, but for now you’ll have to do with just the pic, like old school Internet porn days.

AICN snagged some very official looking concept images of what Chris Evans could maybe possibly look like as Captain America. Marvel has not yet confirmed their authenticity, so basically they could be you or me, probably you, jerking around on the computer in a basement, surrounded by American flags and Nazi scalps. In which case, I commend you. That’s an impressive collection of Nazi scalps.

More unofficially official images of Captain America after the jump.

_{What is it with people and their five fingers?}

Toby Jones is in final negotiations to play villain Armin Zola in Captain America: The First Avenger. Title not look familiar? That’s because it used to be The First Avenger: Captain America. Give yourself a few days to adjust. Like when your parents got divorced.

The British actor is best known for playing Truman Capote in Infamous, Karl Rove in W., and the grocery clerk with a penchant for gun slinging in The Mist. He’ll be joining Hugo Weaving, who’s already been cast as Red Skull, in an effort to give Captain America a really tough time. Jones’ character, Armin Zola, is a scientific genius specializing in genetics and cloning. So don’t be surprised when a herd of two-headed sheep stampede an entire city. (/Film)

Without an actor currently set to portray Steve Rogers, Marvel at least has a nemesis cast to slapbox whoever eventually wins the role. Hugo Weaving is reportedly renting his iconic forehead to the makers of The First Avenger: Captain America. Joe Johnston has hired Weaving to portray the Red Skull, a nefarious character described as, "the most evil man who ever lived. The symbol of hate. The incarnation of torture. A bane to all those who would live free from tyranny. A major dick." 

The negotiation process is currently underway, but is said to be in a delicate stage. Joe Johnston can’t imagine anyone else in the role. "C’mon. Look at that forehead," he commented. "We won’t even need prosthetics. It’s going to save us hours in the makeup chair." (THR)

Heat Vision has posted a list of seven actors believed to be screen testing this week and next for The First Avenger: Captain America. They are Michael Cassidy (Smallville), Patrick Flueger (The 4400), Mike Vogel (She’s Out of My League), Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights), Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl), Garret Hedlund (Tron Legacy), and Jim "John Krasinski" from The Office.

Okay, but who are the real choices? What? These are them? THESE are them?? These guys. Okay. Well, silly me. I thought you’d cast someone who could carry the film and it’s eventual Avengers spin-off. That’s my bad. Far be it from me to tell the director of The Wolfman and Jurassic Park III what he should do differently. (THR)

Joe Johnston has been pressin’ it up for The Wolfman and he’s taking that opportunity to talk about his upcoming Captain America, or The First Avenger: Captain America as it is known by fans of using too many words. Casting hasn’t been announced yet but is expected to shortly. Ryan McPartlin from Chuck said that he read for the part and we’re sure most of young Hollywood has as well. Except for the ugly ones naturally.

Johnston’s biggest announcement so far is that the Red Skull will appear as the main villian in the film, which comes as a shock to no one. To the best of my knowledge, Captain America only has two enemies: Red Skull and that dude with the skull that is red. Johnston also spoke briefly about the framework of the film.

"We will see the Captain America villain, the main villain, the Red Skull. But it’s the origin story. It’s how he became Captain America in World War II. There are present-day bookends, but it’s his origin story. And we decided you only get one shot at telling an origin story, so you might as well tell it first."

Yes. You only get one shot at telling an origin story. Especially for comic book movies. Unless of course we’re talking about The Hulk, The Punisher, The Fantastic Four, Daredevil, or Spider-Man. Otherwise, you only get one shot. Oh yeah, also Batman. (HitFix)