Albert Pyun’s Captain America Blu Ray Review (Yippee Ki-Yay Mother Video)

Captain America is a 1990 superhero film directed by Albert Pyun (Mean Guns, Blast, Crazy Six, Cyborg, Nemesis franchise, Kickboxer franchise, Dollman, Arcade, Brain Smasher… A Love Story, Radioactive Dreams, and Dangerously Close). It was written by Stephen Tolkin (Masters of the Universe, See, Legend of the Seeker, Mr. Murder, Delta House, and Daybreak). It was produced by Menahem Golan (Death Wish franchise, Missing in Action franchise, Ninja franchise, New Year’s Evil, The Last American Virgin, Invasion U.S.A., Lifeforce, Cobra, Superman IV, and American Ninja franchise). Dolph Lundgren, Val Kilmer, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were all up for the role of Captain America at some point before the production started. John Stockwell was the original director attached to this project. It had an estimated budget of $3,000,000!!!! Long ago, Steve Rogers (played by: Matt Salinger from Revenge of the Nerds, 24, Power, Pistol Whipped, and What Dreams May Come) was a true American hero. He was a brave super soldier created by scientists to help the Allied Forces fight for freedom in World War II. During a battle with the ruthless Red Skull (played by: Scott Paulin from Turner and Hooch, Cat People, Teen Wolf, The Right Stuff, and Pump up the Volume), Captain America was considered lost and he was entombed in ice. Decades later his body has been found and revived back to reality. Steve goes back into Captain America mode to help save the President of the United States Tom Kimball (played by: Ronny Cox from RoboCop, Deliverance, Total Recall, Taps, and Beverly Hills Cop franchise) and rest of the world from pure evil!!!! Captain America 1990 waa one of the first Marvel Comics characters to hit the big screen. Previously, they made two television films Captain America and Captain America II: Death Too Soon in the late 70’s. This version had a much bigger budget and push compared to those TV movies. Director Albert Pyun had success with The Sword and the Sorcerer, Dangerously Close, and Cyborg so it helped him get this superhero gig. Captain America is much better than it’s reputation. They try to be more serious with the iconic comic book character here. Matt Salinger is a solid Steve Rogers / Captain America and he fits the personality of known role. He spends more time in this as Steve Rogers than Captain America. This is definitely his biggest feature in his entire career and it’s the best chance he had when it came to Hollywood. Unfortunately, it didn’t really do anything for him at the time. Scott Paulin is very underrated as The Red Skull. That such a underused villain when it comes to the entire MCU. Scott Paulin chews up the scenery in Captain America and he has a blast as brutal threat to the world. They do change up the bad guy’s origins in this but it’s still an interesting take on him. The look of Red Skull has always reminded me a little of Skinless Frank in 1987’s Hellraiser. Veteran actor Ronny Cox adds some class to this superhero movie as The President. He elevates everyone with his presence. He’s always good no matter what he does, I respect his consistency for all his performances. The rest of supporting cast includes Ned Beatty (Superman franchise), Darren McGavin (A Christmas Story), Melinda Dillon (A Christmas Story), Michael Nouri (Flashdance), Kim Gillingham (One Big Family), Francesca Neri (Hannibal), Carla Cassola (The Sect), Wayde Preston (Colt .45), Norbert Weisser (Road to Hell), and Bill Mumy (Babylon 5). If you have watched the theatrical Captain America 1990 in the past and you weren’t a big fan of it, I highly recommend that you revisit this extended director’s cut because it adds so much more to it with it’s additional 14 minutes. It covers up some of the plot holes that were caused from originally removing these scenes. I do wish it had a little more action but it still keeps a good balance of it for the most part. The special fx were actually good for it’s time except for those awful fake ears that still haunt this one, it pays respect to the comic book material when it comes to it’s appearance. It took a long time for studios and directors to figure out the superhero genre but Captain America 1990 is still a respectable effort from the past. Pyun gives the comic book legend a B-Movie feel to his universe and it’s very different from all of the other adaptations. This longer director cut really improves everything. It’s always been pretty fun and entertaining, I think it has a better replay value to it now!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from Yippee Ki-Yay Mother Video in association with Curnan Pictures! This 1080p (1.85:1) extended director’s cut transfer is from a brand new 2K restoration from M.O.D’s Roy Damm. It does have some scratches from time to time but I seen a previous workprint and this newer version blows it away. It’s different compared to Shout Factory’s theatrical home video release, it’s nice to have both as companion pieces. It has an English: Dolby Digital Plus 2.0 track on the disc. Captain America isn’t exactly action packed but it does have it’s moments throughout the superhero feature. All of the dialogue is very clean, the suspense is elevated, and the music has a nice boost to it. It has the almost 5 minute “Albert’s Last Wishes”. It’s an interview with William Lu. He chats about how he originally got the original director’s cut. He brings up some additions to it. He went to Albert Pyun’s celebration get together when the director passed away. He talks about looking into the restoration for this. He goes over the process of it. Menahem Golan gave Albert Pyun the workprint for Captain America as a form of payment for directing the movie. It has the little over 8 minute “Growing Up Captain” with a diehard Captain America fan. He shows his appreciation for the comic book and franchise. He tells some stories related to it and his own experiences with it. It has the “Trailer” for Captain America. It comes with a high quality slipcover. It’s a limited edition of 1000 units, there’s currently under 400 left of this original home video release. Yippee Mother Video is working on a variety of Albert Pyun films such as Cyborg, Road to Hell, Interstellar Civil War, Ticker Director’s Cut, Knights, Cheryl Cooper/Infection double feature, and Left for Dead/Bulletface double feature. This home video release is selling out fast so make sure you add to your collection before it’s too late. It’s available right now exclusively @ Yippeekiyaymothervideo.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!