Happy Friday to all! I just KNOW everyone is thrilled that it’s once again the WEEKEND! So why should I break with established tradition and do anything else but present this week’s Friday Spotlight?? Continuing a current run of more established actors, this week features an individual that a LOT more people have become familiar with, especially over the last several years, as he is now part of arguably one of the biggest overall franchises to come about, “The Avengers”, all while getting to play one of the most iconic characters IN that group of superheroes, Captain America. Therefore, I give you Boston, MA-born Chris Evans.
Acting since age 11 when he performed the part of “Leontes” in his high-school performance of “The Winter’s Tale”, the encouragement and praises given to his acting skills were quick in coming. As such, after performing in other school theater productions, he ultimately attended Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York. Upon meeting several agents there, and then signing on with one of them, Evans began realizing it was the screen he was interested in keeping his eye on, and so began auditioning for roles. He acted in several small TV roles and low-budget films until 2001 when he got his first major film role in the spoof comedy, “Not Another Teen Movie“. I lasted about 10 minutes into that film and could not STAND it, so really didn’t even end up SEEING Evans in his role there. A few more small TV pilots that failed and another teen-based film, “The Perfect Score“, also not garnering any raves between 2003-2004, Evans finally got his first lead gig in a still-small film with Kim Basinger, “Cellular“. This one I did see, and it was just one of those movies you kinda like, but don’t run back out to see or rush to own on DVD either. Evans was solid, but again, nothing about the film had that true “WOW!!” factor.
Finally in 2005 came the first chance to really shine for Evans, as he took on the role of Johnny Storm, aka: The Human Torch, in 20th Century Fox’s “The Fantastic Four“. Directed by Tim Story (“Barbershop“, “Ride Along“) and based on the Marvel comic series, the story centered around 4 astronauts who, coming back to Earth from a mission, are exposed to cosmic radiation that mutates each of them into something extraordinary. Evans played the Johnny Storm character SO perfectly, that he actually stole the show from a really good group of actors including Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, and Julian McMahon…in my opinion. Evans just brought the brash, impulsive, cocky (and this was BEFORE the character had his powers!) Storm to life in such an entertaining way, that it VERY much helped with what, in hindsight, was just NOT a good film. Evans reprised the role as Storm in the 2007 sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer“, which was even a BIGGER disaster as a film, but again, Evans at least provided the fun and folly of Johnny’s character. After this foray into the superhero world, I next saw Evans in a gritty, dark police drama with Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker called “Street Kings“, which, despite the VERY heavy tone and story, was an unexpectedly solid film for a general theme (corrupt cops) that has been done so often. In this, Evans played a young, confident Detective Paul Diskant whom gets drawn in to Reeve’s characters’ chaotic story. Again, Evans proved a solid presence in the film, though (SPOILER ALERT) he doesn’t make it to the end. Next was 2010’s action film “The Losers“, playing part of a CIA special forces group out for a little payback against their corrupt former handlers at the agency. Jensen’s character reminded me of Johnny Storm, actually, and yet again, Evans delivers a very fun role with all the swagger and determination he did in “The Fantastic Four”, speaking lines in that perfect way that just elicits whatever reaction he is emoting, and also doing it with another great cast that included Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Idris Elba, and Jason Patric. The 2010 film year also saw Evans in a small supporting role in the quirky comedy, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World“.
NOW comes Evans’ TRUE break-out, again in my opinion, as 2011 brought him to the lead role in Marvel Studio’s “Captain America: The First Avenger“. Set in 1942, Evans plays Steve Rogers, an initially scrawny and weak (BUT persistent!) man sick of watching everyone ELSE join the Army to fight the Germans, but himself always being rejected for recruitment due to his size. Circumstances change, and he finds himself a part of a secret government program designed to create a new breed of super-soldier. Through continued hardship with almost no one taking him seriously, Rogers ends up part of the program, becomes the only actual successful subject of the process, and ultimately becomes the hero known as Captain America, formidable in fighting, but even higher on keeping good old fashioned American ideals and patriotism at the forefront. Evans REALLY embodies this role, both physically and emotionally, and despite initial doubts about his casting I had, those ALL faded away once Cap was in action. Evans plays it believably enough so you get drawn in to this character who most might see as almost TOO patriotic, yet you root for him every step of the way. The charisma of the part continued to develop for Evans in this role in 2012’s Joss Whedon masterpiece, “The Avengers“, where Rogers/Cap joins up with other superheroes we were introduced to in their own films or as part of those films, to form a team to take on any danger. Again, Evans brings that combination of seriousness, humor, and pathos to the character that continues to define the role so accurately. I just love watching him exude the very nature of Cap in every scene he’s been in both films, and I feel it’s safe to say Evans relishes the opportunity he’s had to play such an iconic character.
After his brief, and actually uncredited but HILARIOUS, appearance in “Thor: The Dark World“, I saw Evans in a small film via Netflix called “The Iceman” in which Michael Shannon played the notorious contract hitman Richard Kuklinski, withy Evans playing another hitman only known as Mr. Freezy, who ultimately partnered up with Kuklinski in his deeds. With his star much more on the rise still, Evans is definitely keeping busy now. First will be the upcoming sequel, “Captain America: Winter Soldier” that is already getting RAVES from test audiences and that I know I am looking forward to as it is one of my favorite all-time stories from the comic series. Then will come Summer 2014’s futuristic film “Snowpiercer” and the yet-to-be announced 2014 release “1:30 Train“, which will mark Evans’ directorial debut. Currently, Evans is filming the MUCH anticipated sequel, 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron“, where we will again get to see Cap in action. So from a somewhat shaky start to stardom wearing the colors of the American flag, Evans has persevered and definitely has become someone to watch on the big screen.
As always, this is for YOUR consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
