Captain America (1979) Review | MovieTalk+

⭐☆☆☆☆

Captain America is a reminder that superhero movies were not always what they are today. And while I fully understand this was a late-70s TV production directed by Rod Holcomb, that context only goes so far. Marvel has come an awfully long way since this.

Let me be clear — I love older films. Age isn’t the issue. 12 Angry Men is my favorite movie of all time. But this? This was rough.

The film follows Steve Rogers (Reb Brown), a former Marine turned civilian who’s given the “FLAG” serum after a near-fatal accident, transforming him into Captain America. On paper, that’s simple and workable. In execution, it’s painfully stretched thin. The story is basic, the stakes feel low, and the pacing is glacial.

This easily could have been a 30–45 minute episode. Instead, it pads itself with endless helicopter shots, long motorcycle rides, drawn-out driving sequences, and conversations that don’t add anything. It constantly feels like it’s filling time rather than telling a story.

The acting doesn’t help. Reb Brown does what he can, but there’s no charisma or emotional hook to latch onto. The performances across the board feel flat and disengaged. No one feels fully invested, which makes it hard for the audience to be either.

The action and effects are cheesy even for the time. I can forgive dated visuals — that’s part of watching older cinema. But the fight choreography is clunky, the stunts feel uninspired, and the overall presentation never rises above “made-for-TV curiosity.”

And the biggest issue? Captain America barely shows up. The titular hero doesn’t feel like Captain America until the final 15 minutes. You wait and wait for the suit, for the energy, for something to click — and it never really does.

Final Rating: ⭐☆☆☆☆

When it comes to Captain America, I respect the history. I appreciate seeing where superhero adaptations started. But this was boring from start to finish. It’s not bad in a fun, campy way. It’s just dull. Definitely not for me — and proof that the MCU era didn’t happen overnight.