What we flagged
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Our take
This Marvel origin story follows a frail young man who becomes a super-soldier to fight a Nazi offshoot during World War II. The tone is earnest and heroic, with plenty of wartime action built on guns, explosions, and hand-to-hand fighting. Deaths are frequent but bloodless, there is mild swearing throughout, and the villain's unmasked face plus a close friend's loss give it some weight. Romance stays sweet and chaste. Young teens and comic-book fans who can handle war violence will get what they came for
Uplifting themes
This is a story about a small, overlooked man who is brave and kind long before he is strong. Standing up to bullies, sacrifice, and doing the right thing when no one is watching are front and centre Steve Rogers is about as solid a role model as superhero films offer, humble, honest, and selfless even at great cost. Peggy and his fellow soldiers show grit and loyalty beside him
Story (may spoil tone)
During World War II, Steve Rogers is a sickly man from Brooklyn who's transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull – Adolf Hitler's ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Set in World War II, the film is full of combat, from shootouts and gre…
Set in World War II, the film is full of combat, from shootouts and grenades to raids on enemy bases. Many soldiers are killed, but the deaths stay bloodless, and the villain's energy weapon makes bodies vanish instead of showing wounds
Language Mild swearing is frequent, leaning on hell and damn, with the odd son o…
Mild swearing is frequent, leaning on hell and damn, with the odd son of a b-word in the heat of battle. Nothing stronger shows up, but the words add up over the runtime
Sex / nudity Romance is gentle and old-fashioned, built around Steve and Peggy and c…
Romance is gentle and old-fashioned, built around Steve and Peggy and capped by a brief kiss. There is no nudity or sexual content, just a tender wartime connection
Drugs / alcohol Soldiers drink in bars and toast fallen friends, and there is a sad run…
Soldiers drink in bars and toast fallen friends, and there is a sad running joke that Steve can no longer get drunk after his transformation. Drinking is social and tied to the era
Frightening The villain, the Red Skull, peels off a mask to reveal a raw, skull-lik…
The villain, the Red Skull, peels off a mask to reveal a raw, skull-like red face that can startle younger viewers. People are also disintegrated by strange weapons, and the wartime menace runs dark even without gore
Bullying / discrimination Before his transformation, scrawny Steve is pushed around and dismissed…
Before his transformation, scrawny Steve is pushed around and dismissed, and a soldier is openly called a bully. The film sits firmly against cruelty and prejudice, including its Nazi villains
Gore / death / weapons Rifles, pistols, grenades, and futuristic blasters appear throughout, a…
Rifles, pistols, grenades, and futuristic blasters appear throughout, and death is constant in the war setting. Blood is scarce, so the focus stays on the weapons and the scale, not injury detail
Grief / bereavement Loss runs through the story, from fallen soldiers to the apparent death…
Loss runs through the story, from fallen soldiers to the apparent death of Steve's closest friend. The bittersweet ending, where he gives up the life he knew, may be tough for sensitive kids
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Steve is chosen for his character, not his strength. What does the film say makes a good hero?
- The story shows real courage in standing up to bullies. When has your child seen someone do that?
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Captain America: The First Avenger
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