Captain America: The First Avenger is Great, Says Captain America Director

Where do you go when you want the honest skinny on one of 2011's most anticipated -- and possibly questionable -- blockbusters? In the case of Captain America: The First Avenger, you go to Joe Johnston. Never mind that he's the director and a paid Marvel employee.

"I watched the movie for the first time a few days ago and I just looked at the first cut and there is so much entertainment value -- it's just flat-out fun to watch," Johnston told Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times. Continued the ecstatic director:

"Maybe I'm somewhat biased -- I was there [when we made it] -- but, seriously, it's funny, it's exciting and there's great visual effects. The movie is going to be something more than people are expecting. This movie is going to surprise some people. It is the origin story of Captain America but it is also something rare -- it's a period superhero film but there's great action in it. You don't normally think of guys driving around in 1939 sedans in an action film but there are some great action beats in it. It's just a helluva lot of fun to watch."

For what it's worth, Boucher says that Johnston is usually "known for blunt candor and a withering glare," which apparently is supposed to lend an air of credibility to the director's glowing remarks. It doesn't, of course -- yes, a director of a big budget tentpole is going to toss his film under the bus before it gets released; that always happens -- but it's nice that Johnston is at least excited about Captain America. Expect a trailer to arrive shortly, meaning soon the Internet can get a taste of Johnston's hella fun summer feature.

· 'Captain America' director: 'This movie is going to surprise some people' [LAT/Hero Complex via /Film]