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Monday, July 4, 2011

Captain Update!

I already mused earlier about the movie folks trying to play down the American part of Captain America the movie.  Well, now it appears that the First Avenger (the non-Captain name for the guy wearing red-white-and-blue with a star) will be Captain America everywhere except..... Russia, Ukraine and South Korea.  South Korea?  Um, given that there are still 20,000 American troops there to help deter the crazy folks from the North, they aren't used to seeing stars and stripes in South Korea?
Though it is common for American blockbusters to feature less US-focused titles in foreign markets, Paramount largely decided against the alterations for Captain America, and instead gave foreign countries  the choice of two titles, Captain America: The First Avenger or The First Avenger.
Interestingly, most international distributors believed the franchise name was so identifiable that not using "Captain America" in the title could risk losing ticket sales.
Well, yeah. So, the South Korean distributor felt First Avenger was better than Captain America?  Um, I think the Koreans (the ones in the South that is) have access to the internet and such.  I think they are already hip to where Captain America is from and that he is not a General or a Lieutenant or a Corporal.

I wonder if countries changed Green Lantern to a less environmentally correct color as one could see the title as a subtle rejection of industrialization.  Ok, that's a reach, but then so was the movie (I'll be here all night).

Seriously, for just a second, if you are willing to show the movie, it seems silly to deny what it is.  Captain America is intrinsically American.  The Hulk can be from anywhere.  The X-men could be gay.  Spider-man does not have to be from New York (although it helps).  Thor has to be from Asgard, and Captain America has to be from, well, the U. S. of frickin' A.

Oh, and for those playing at home, the superhero race still has X-Men in front of Thor and Green Lantern, with Natalie Portman edging out Blake Lively simply because they dressed NP normally while Blake was wearing fancy duds all the time.  Just too much unintentionally comedic wardrobe.  Plus Thor had a better backup cast with Heimdall, the Warriors Three and Sif.  Green Lantern had some CGI friends.  Well, 3599 Green Lantern friends of all shapes and sizes.

And Super-8 still has the lead for best movie of the summer. I will have to watch Harry P from Australia and see how he does with an Aussie accent.

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