3 out of 5

Director: Joe Johnston

Harmless fun, Captain America is in the vein of the Incredible Hulk brew of recent Marvel films, staying true enough to the comics for fans, solid entertainment for an average film-goer, and enough intelligence to the script to push it above par. What is very impressive, and bold, is that director Joe Johnston and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely kept the film majorly located to WW II, which, for a mostly kid-friendly blockbuster movie is a pleasant change. For the un-comic-ed, Cap is a movie about lil’ Steve Rogers, a 4F who desperately wants to join the war effort. His overwhelming whole-hearted desire catches the attention of a scientist who’s developing a serum to create an America super-soldier. Said scientist opens up the right doors for Steve to get into the army, and Rogers becomes the first person to undergo the serum treatment and become the big buff Chris Evans we know and love. Alas, some machinations make it such that Rogers – now known as Captain America – is to be the last of the super soldiers. But thankfully he’s here to help the troops combat Nazis AND the villainous – and also super-serum dosed – Red Skull. Besides this origin, the film will pack no surprises, but it’s all presented with such straight-forward gee-whizness that it’s hard not to like it. Johnston take time with the story, giving us a full impression of Rogers before buffing him out, and jams most of what would normally be special effects nonsense into a fun montage in the middle of the film. And Chris Evans is awesome, bringing just the right amount of cheekiness to the role without going too sappy, too silly, or too knowing. While it finally sinks into mostly action excess in the last portion, Cap is nonetheless an enjoyable movie, well-balanced and with a good use of actors, budget, music, and sets, and really makes you feel like you’re just watching a good ol’ fashioned summer film.