“Whatever happens, stay who you are. Not just a soldier, but a good man.”

The time is 1942. World War II is still raging on. 90-pound-when-wet Steve Rogers wishes to enlist in the U.S. Army to do his part in serving his country, but is rejected on grounds of being too sickly and weak. However, he finally is given his chance as he is offered to be a part of a secret government program that turns him in the epitome of human potential, a super soldier. Donning the moniker Captain America, he enters the war against the Axis forces. However, the Nazi organization HYDRA and its leader the “Red Skull” has tapped into a power beyond our world for his plans of world domination…

Now for the review:

Ah, Cap. After three failed attempts at making you work for the silver screen, we finally have one that did its job well and more.

Captain America’s special effects served its job well. Nothing particularly worth noting, but it is really is nice to see explosions that aren’t computer generated. I suppose I should mention how well they managed to make Chris Evans look like a scrawny wimp at the start of the movie? Frankly, it looked extremely well done. If you weren’t aware of that it was an effect, you probably won’t even notice. However, there are some scenes that were a bit obvious due to how thin his neck is compared to his large head, but those scenes are few and far between.

The music for the movie was, naturally, war-based in nature and really worked well with the time of WWII. It was very patriotic, and made you feel like punching a Nazi in the face. Also, there was this one song in the movie called “Star Spangled Man” that was ridiculously catchy, cheesy, and hilarious. I was pleasantly surprised to read it was composed by Alan Menken of Disney Renaissance fame. Excellent job, sir.

The casting of Captain America could not have been more perfect. When I first heard Chris Evans was cast as Cap, I was pretty skeptical. I mean, really? Chris Evans? The Human Torch from the Fantastic Four movies? Yeah, he redeemed himself by completely awesome in Scott Pilgrim, but I just didn’t see him as the humble and patriotic Captain America. Thankfully, he put his heart into this role and really showed the human side of Cap.

Hugo Weaving was just so delightfully evil. He never exactly took his role seriously, but I don’t think it would have worked if he did. He chewed the scenery like there was no tomorrow and was exactly what you’d expect from a pulp-inspired movie like this. Hayley Atwell served your typical female love interest character, Sebastian Stan actually made BUCKY of all characters awesome, and Tommy Lee Jones was…Tommy Lee Jones. Which is awesome.

Captain America felt a breath of fresh air for me after seeing it. While the movie is unmistakably a superhero movie, this movie also decided to blend a war story into it. Yes, you’re probably wondering isn’t that natural considering the origin story of Captain America? That is true, but for some reason the old Captain America movies tend to gloss over that fact. As such, the movie had this very classic pulp fiction feel to it. It employed many of the tropes you’d expect out of a movie like this and you can probably predict exactly what happens.

However, that does not mean the movie was cliché-ridden. Much like in Thor, Captain America had a definitive self-awareness that allowed it to subvert expectations and even show what would happen realistically in certain situations. For example, even after turning into a super soldier, Cap was used as a mascot for the U.S. war propaganda due to a public display of heroics he did in stopping a HYDRA agent. It is after a solo mission he did on his own did he become a true American soldier in the war effort.

That isn’t to say the movie didn’t have its silly moments, however. No matter how much they tried to set up HYDRA as an intimidating force, the Red Skull’s makeup was just downright goofy. It was just hilarious to look at and you can’t keep yourself from giggling at it. It also doesn’t help that HYDRA’s salute consisted of them thrusting out both of their arms.

No, but the true charm of Captain America: The First Avenger was simply the character of Captain America himself. After seeing so many films about these people that become heroes because they wished to become better people or anti-heroes (which isn’t a bad thing, mind you), it’s just so refreshing to see someone that actually become a hero because he was already a good person. You see Cap struggle in his attempts to be able to be that person that helps people. You see him as the weakling that stood up to bullies despite his weakness. You see him in war training, showing his determination. You see him despair at being unable to do it. You see him become the hero that he was meant to be. You can side with him because he is a good man given the chance to show how great he can be.

For this patriot superhero movie, I give a:

4.5 out of 5

Captain America: The First Avenger is a pulpy-good movie. Although I didn’t cover it in the review, the action was great, the atmosphere was like something out of an oldie film reel, and Cap was just awesome. I’m confident enough to say this is as good as Iron Man for me.

I recommend this movie to those looking for a good, summer superhero movie and those that wish to see an honest and good hero in action. Oh, and be sure to stay after the credits for the first trailer for the Avengers movie!

Captain America: The First Avenger was produced by Marvel Studios, and distributed by Paramount Pictures.