For awhile now MGM has been releasing a series of obscure films as part of their manufacture on demand line. There has been numerous comments made concerning such aspects of the DVD deriding the overall quality but after review a rather sizable number of them I have to note that while not up to the contemporary standards of most DVDs they are better than our old video tape collections. For diehard aficionados of film this MGM release set has been a means to extend our collections with those hard to find titles that otherwise would remain fond memories. Considering the incredible popularity and financial success of characters from Marvel comics it was only a matter of time before MGM found its way to a little MGM’s MOD line. The title under consideration here is the 1990 version of ‘Captain America’. There have been numerous incarnations of this iconic America hero since Marvel initiated the franchise way back in the nineteen forties.

Captain America has shown up in an animated television series as one of a number of Marvel characters to receive that treatment and his current manifestation as the lynch pin in the new ‘Avengers’ multi character franchise. The version released by MGM in this latest batch of MOD titles admittedly is not the best representation of The Captain but it also is far from the worse. Comparisons with the film currently holding the public’s attention is grossly unfair. Not only is there an astronomical discrepancy in the budget with this flick nowhere close to the reported $140 used to create the current blockbuster. There is an undeniable cult classic appeal to this flick that makes it quite suitable as a rainy afternoon popcorn movie perhaps as a warm up for ‘The First Avenger’. This version is a nostalgic, jingoistic romp through the pages of a vintage comic book brought to life. All the classic elements that contributed to the enjoyment and longevity of the hero are present here but fans of the silver age comics just might get more out of it than younger audiences who grew up spoiled by the advanced computer effects taken for granted today.

The movie opens just before the start of World War Two in1936. The government kidnaps a young Italian boy for use in a clandestine experiment to create a super solider. Dr. Vaselli (Carla Cassola), the head of the project, is dissatisfied, with the heavy handed methods forced by his Fascist masters and takes the first opportunity to defect to the Americans in hopes of continuing his research under more amiable circumstances. By 1943 the War is in full swing and the American super solider program nearing fruition. Steve Rogers (Matt Salinger) is a patriotic American rejected from military service due to his affliction of polio. Thanks to Dr. Vaselli’s miraculous formula, kept secret in her memory, Rogers is transformed into a perfect human specimen. Rogers is destined to be the only super hero when she is murdered by a Nazi spy. Unknown at that time was the fact that the young Italian boy is now the infamous Nazi Agent known as the ‘Red Skull’ for reasons exceptionally obvious with just a single glance at the villain. His latest nefarious plot is to launch at the White House but that information makes it to the American Intelligence division. Rogers receives the assignment to infiltrate the launch facility and thwart the plan. During the ensuing battle the Red Skull lashes Rogers to the missile but he in turn holds on to the Skull as the Missile fires. The Red Skull amputates his own hand to avoid flying off as Rogers and the rocket careen towards Washington D.C. Rogers manages to divert the missile as a young boy, Thomas Kimball, snaps a photograph. Rogers forces the missile to crash in Alaska, freeing himself at the last instance to be trapped frozen alive in the ice. Kimball (Ronny Cox) goes on to ride heroism in the Vietnam War to a successful political career culminating in his election to the President of the United States with an environmentalist agenda. The Red Skull was far from idyll during this time. Besides raising a daughter Old Boney has been busy creating a global criminal organization that would rival anything James Bond ever faced in SPECTRE or SMERSH. Among his heinous activities was arranging the assignation of advocates of peace and equality such as ‘Dr. Martin Luther King’ and President John F. Kennedy. Now his diabolical sights are set on dispatching President Kimball. Rogers is defrosted still thinking it’s 1943 but after a tome catching up on the intervening decades he is ready to resume his calling as super patriotic Captain America.

Perhaps the most significant misstep present is removing Captain America from his element attempting to make him into a glorified eco-warrior. The distancing in time is part of the staple, core elements of the Captain America legend. There could have been a bit more focus on his adaptation to the modern era although admittedly within the constraints of budget and running time such a tack would not have been feasible. At least they got the costume right, actually closer in style than the more expensive version that felt obligated to modernize the look. The iconic shield is, of course, a require part of the story defining the character. It also adds to his embodiment of American morality; using a defensive item like a shield in an offensive manner when need arises. This film ultimately falls short but is does contain more in the way of entertainment value than it is generally afforded. It’s not great but doesn’t deserve the reputation it seems to have acquired. If you remember the old Saturday afternoon action serials we watched in the matinees this will bring back more than a few fond memories.