Captain America (1990 film)



A 1990 superhero film based on the Captain America comics, directed by Albert Pyun and starring Matt Salinger, Ronnie Cox, Ned Beatty and Scott Paulin. Not to be confused with the 2011 film, Captain America: The First Avenger or the So Bad It's Horrible 1979 Made-for-TV movie and its sequel starring Reb Brown.


 * Acting for Two: Kim Gillingham plays both of Captain America's girlfriends: Bernice Stewart in 1943, and her daughter Sharon Cooperman in 1993.
 * Also, Scott Paulin (who plays the Red Skull) appears sans-makeup as the army doctor who treats Steve's gunshot wounds in the 40's.
 * Amazon Brigade: The Red Skull commands a group of supermodel henchwomen. One of whom is his daughter.
 * Ascended Fanboy: Thomas Kimball, twice. Not only does he grow up to be the President, but once he does so, he also gets to help Captain America.
 * Chekhov's Gun: The tape recording from the prologue of the movie.
 * Composite Character: Bernice's character was based off both Bernie Rosenthal and Peggy Carter from the comics.
 * Cunning Linguist: Sharon suddenly produces a fluency in Italian, remarking that she spent a summer in Italy before.
 * Disney Villain Death:
 * Faceless Goons: Inverted. All of the Red Skull's mooks are well-dressed highly attractive people. The military force that comes to rescue President Kimball and help Captain America come equipped with face-concealing masks and all-black uniforms.
 * Faux Affably Evil: The Red Skull. As he has Captain America tied to a rocket, he asks him for help with his English.
 * Greasy Spoon: The front for a secret government laboratory.
 * Hero Stole My Bike: Captain America feigns sickness to lure the unsuspecting driver out from the car before he steals it, twice. Subverted when he appears to steal a bike from a civilian during his and Sharon's escape from the Red Skull's thugs, but he throws down money towards the owner for compensation.
 * Iconic Item: It wouldn't be Captain America without the shield.
 * Life or Limb Decision: The Red Skull chops off his own hand after Captain America (tied to a missile about to launch) grabs him to invoke Taking You with Me.
 * "London, England" Syndrome
 * Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: Well, yeah.
 * Mistaken for Spies: Captain America thinks that Sam Kowlawetz is a spy for the Japanese, because he has a tape recorder that was made in Japan.
 * Mythology Gag: When young Thomas Kimball tells his friend Sam about Captain America, they discard the idea of the hero having been the Human Torch or the Sub-Mariner, heroes who fought in World War Two along with Cap in the comic books.
 * The Mole: General Fleming, going all the way back to World War II.
 * Negated Moment of Awesome: Captain America spent so much time frozen in Alaska, he didn't get to accomplish nearly as many awesome things as most of his other incarnations have.
 * No Plans, No Prototype, No Backup: The research which gave both Captain America and the Red Skull their abilities.
 * Not So Different: Captain America and The Red Skull both got their powers as a result of the same research. Because of this, the Red Skull insists on referring to Captain America as his "American Brother".
 * The Only One: But not by design. The scientist working on the project did not have any written notes, for fear that they would be used for evil again. Shortly after Rogers is successfully given the treatment, a Nazi assassin kills the scientist and her knowledge is lost. Otherwise, the intent was for him to lead an entire company of super soldiers.
 * Off with His Head:
 * Our Presidents Are Different: In particular, he manages to be both President Target and President Action.
 * Refuge in Audacity: When the recently-escaped President Kimball runs into General Fleming, in the Red Skull's hideout, in a business suit, the general stands at attention and claims that he is leading the rescue force to extract the President.
 * Replacement Goldfish: Played with. Steve initially confuses Sharon for her mother Bernice, but her style and personality are substantially different (both characters are played by the same actress).
 * Sherlock Scan: Notably, it gives Captain America all the details needed for him to reach exactly the wrong conclusion.
 * Super Serum: The key to Captain America and the Red Skull's Super Strength.
 * Super Soldier: Captain America.
 * Taking You with Me: Attempted by the Captain against the Red Skull, forcing the Red Skull to make a Life or Limb Decision.
 * Villain Opening Scene: It starts by telling how the Red Skull was taken from his Italian home.
 * Villain Opening Scene: It starts by telling how the Red Skull was taken from his Italian home.