"Captain America" Gets an Easy 'A'

Fact: Americans love movies about Americans kicking Nazi butt. Fact: Americans love Marvel Comics. Combine the two, and you have a heartwarming, inspiring summer blockbuster that will entertain and enchant kids and adults alike.

I’ve absolutely lost count of how many Marvel characters have appeared on the big screen, but of them all, you’d be hard pressed to find one more sympathetic and endearing than “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a little man with a big heart. It’s New York in 1941, and all Rogers wants to do is stand up for his country, as he feels is his duty. Unfortunately, his small stature and lengthy list of health problems – from fatigue to asthma – has landed him on the 4-F list more times than he cares to think about. But that won’t stop him from trying. Fifth time’s the charm, when Rogers meets expatriate German scientist Dr. Abraham Erskine, played with warmth and charm by Stanley Tucci. Erskine not only allows Rogers to enlist but also taps him for a top-secret project that will take the new recruit from scrawny to brawny.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the doctor’s serum has been used. Before it was refined, it was injected into Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), to disastrous effects. Schmidt, the leader of the Nazi science division HYDRA, goes rogue and decides to destroy, well, basically everyone – as many Marvel villains tend to do.

The battle between good and evil is handled thoughtfully in the film, which has many less explosions and destruction than you’d think. Don’t worry, there are plenty of booms and bams to make it interesting, but it’s the film’s heart, it’s Captain America himself and his personal journey, that makes it so satisfying.

Stone-cold hottie Evans is well cast in the role, looking every ounce the American hero as he runs in slow motion and wields his patriotic shield. I don’t doubt there will be many heart aflutter in the theater, as Evans strikes that perfect balance of shy guy and action star. It’s easy to see why SSR Officer Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) falls for the Captain, in a love story that’s poignant and beautiful.

Tommy Lee Jones is also a treat as the gruff Colonel Chester Phillips.

Now if Captain America is only the first avenger, what about the others? Something tells me we won’t have to wait long to find out.