Even little Steve is doing his part....way to go, Steve!

I was slightly concerned that by the time I saw 'Captain America: The First Avenger,' I would feel like I had already seen too much of it.  The movie was heavily over-marketed; undoubtedly because of its opening date just a week after the finale of 'Harry Potter,' the studio was concerned it might not perform above that momentous event.  Well, the bombardment of trailers and t.v. spots seems to have paid off; 'Captain America' did indeed triumph in it's opening weekend.  The final Marvel champion before next summer's 'The Avengers' also exceeded my expectations of over-exposure; I had a heck of a good time here with a film that is focused and engaging.  Director Joe Johnston has crafted a good ole' fashioned actioner that not only harkens back to the heroic sensibility America sought during WWII but also evokes much of the same sentimentality of Johnston's earlier film, 'The Rocketeer'-a childhood favorite.  It may not corner the market on anything new, but when it's done so well, sometimes that's enough.

'Captain America: The First Avenger' opens in present day with a discovery in what I'm guessing is the arctic. Somehow, a shiny red, white and blue shield  seems to have been frozen in the tundra.  Just as the discovery team (S.H.I.E.L.D, I'm guessing) gets worked up about what might be under that ice, we get a flashback to 1942 where Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving, sneering) is looking to do some dark deeds with the cosmic cube previously seen in 'Thor.'  Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, NY, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is really wanting to enlist in the Army, but at 90 pounds he can hardly stand up in a back alley fight.  His stature says nothing for his courage, however, as he is always willing to step up to overwhelming odds.  It is his brave nature and strong will that catches the eye of Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci).  Erskine wants to induct Rogers into an experiment that the Government hopes will be the start of a "super-soldier" program.  This involves a great deal of levers, buttons, lights and scientific lingo that only Erskine and Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) seem to comprehend.  As Erskine explains, a first attempt with this procedure in Germany had adverse effects on Johann Schmidt's skin tone and hairline.  A tragic event following Steve's transformation makes it impossible to create any more super soldiers, and lamenting that they only get one, the Government sees fit to make "Captain America" the poster boy for buying war bonds.  This campaign has Steve dressed in un-flattering spandex amongst a background of dancing girls, gleefully miming over 200 knockouts to "Adolf Hitler."  This role doesn't suit the newly-buff Rogers, or his Commanding Officer, Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones). 

Things really start jumping into high gear when Rogers discovers his long-time friend, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) has gone missing behind enemy lines.  Before long, he's finally getting the Lion's share of the action and fulfilling his purpose while garbed in a pretty slick red, white and blue outfit.  Through a wonderfully paced montage, we see Captain America tossing his shield, pummeling bad guys with his fists and otherwise performing feats that an Olympic Athlete would envy.  These sequences and a great many action set-pieces do a great job at stirring a sense of patriotism that is worthy of the movie's title.  The best part is that it isn't condescending at all.  The villains may be uber Nazis and the premise might be absurd, but Johnston and crew embrace it with a seriousness that keeps it grounded and relevant to present times.  Speaking of present times, by the end of 'The First Avenger', Captain America awakens in a world that he does not recognize after a 70-year long nap.  How he gets there I will not say, but the journey involves him facing off against Johann Schmidt in his true form as the nefarious Red Skull.

As Captain America, Chris Evans is mature and stoic.  He plays the role straight, which is just right, I think, as the tone here steps away from the cheekiness of 'Thor' and 'Iron Man' in a way that really highlights the unique character trait of each Avenger; it will be interesting to see each of these capable actors assembled next summer. Come to think of it, of all the Avengers, Captain America and the Hulk probably have the most burden to bear.  Whereas Thor and Iron Man really embrace their powers and circumstances, Bruce Banner doesn't necessarily want to be the Hulk, and Steve Rogers wasn't planning on being frozen in ice for 70 years.  As for all the other players here, they more or less provide what is required.  Tommy Lee Jones does a nice job balancing Colonel Phillips' conflicted attitude about the good Captain with his unflinching duty as Commanding Officer.  Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter is so alluring, that upon awakening from his 70 year absence, Steve Rogers' first concern is understandably his missed date with her.

There is very little to criticize with 'Captain America.'  The worst you could say for it is that it isn't original.  But when adapting a 70-year old comic book charcter, how original can you get?  What matters is how the material is handled.  Joe Johnston provides an experience that stirs up the kind of excitement I had as a boy, forever dreaming up ways to have my action figures beat the bad guys, even going so far to dress up myself and charge into danger.  There is a scene in this film that I think perfectly encompases the sense of hope 'Captain America' is meant to inspire; a young boy charging down the street with a garbage can lid painted in red, white and blue while his friends follow, fists in the air.  It's the sort of thing you want to see on a post card.  In lesser hands, the scene might come off as condescending or even a little bit cheesy, but it perfectly puncuates everything that comes before it.  It symbolizes the kind of person Steve Rogers is both before and after his transformation, and it arouses in audiences the heroic sensibility in all of us.  Captain America, indeed.  A handful of countries around the globe hacked off the main title, 'Captain America' and kept only the subtitle 'The First Avenger.' They should really pay attention to the scene with that little boy.