Simon Dillon reviews the film

The latest in Marvel Comics' setup movies for their upcoming Avengers epic presented the filmmakers with something of a problem, since today's cynical audiences might consider Captain America anachronistic given his straightforward gung-ho patriotism. Thankfully, director Joe Johnson has come up with some cunning ways of solving that problem, the most obvious of which is to set the entire film during World War II. Whatever else viewers may think about America, everyone hates the Nazis.

The plot setup is similar to the comics: Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a spirited but skinny and bullied young man who just wants a chance to do his bit by enlisting, but is continually rejected on medical grounds. Because of his moral fibre Steve is chosen by exiled German Jewish scientist Dr Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) for an experimental supersoldier programme. Erskine becomes Steve's mentor as he advises him that whatever the results of the experiment, he should remain what he is: a good man. The experiment is a success, but Nazi sabotage means there can never be another supersoldier and now Steve (aka Captain America) is the only one of his kind.

Joe Johnson is a director I've always admired. He cut his teeth working for George Lucas before graduating to the director's chair with well loved gems like Honey I Shrunk the Kids and - most relevantly here - The Rocketeer. The latter shares DNA with Captain America in its clever use of period detail and historical events to tell a straightforward adventure story, and both films feature Nazi villains as well as Howard Hughes. Well, sort of. Technically Johann Schmidt aka Red Skull is from a Nazi splinter group called Hydra (since the Nazis just weren't hardcore enough for him), and Captain America's Howard Stark (Tony Stark aka Iron Man's father) is Howard Hughes in all but surname. But that's just splitting hairs.

Anyway, the performances are all decent enough. Chris Evans makes an appealing lead, Hayley Atwell provides a feisty love interest, Hugo Weaving's Red Skull is suitably nasty, and the rest of the cast make good use of their well chosen stock characters; the afore-mentioned Stanley Tucci (in the role of the good scientist/mentor), Toby Jones (as the bad scientist working for Red Skull), and Tommy Lee Jones (as the outwardly gruff commanding officer who we all know is a decent sort at heart).

The action scenes and visual effects are good, and Alan Silvestri contributes a suitably stirring music score. It's not groundbreaking, and the whole thing goes on a bit too long, but the ending takes an unexpected turn or two, and its worth sticking around for an Avengers teaser trailer at the very end of the credits.

On a moral/spiritual note, this is fairly straightforward good versus evil stuff, although it does throw up some interesting potential discussion material to have with one's children; particularly concerning the nature of power and how it can be used for good or evil depending on who wields it. The patriotism elements are both played seriously and tongue in cheek, especially during one very clever sequence involving Captain America being coerced into selling war bonds with chorus girls prior to his actual war heroics. In the film, Captain America's onstage appearances in said fundraisers inspire comic books and movies, creating the image of an all American hero, whilst Steve finds the whole experience understandabley demeaning and just wants a chance to prove himself on the battlefield.

All things considered, Captain America: The First Avenger was a lot of fun. My seven year old thought it was on a par with Thor. Personally I preferred Thor but this is nevertheless a worthy addition to the Marvel canon, even if ultimately it does feel like the latest in a long series of setups for next years Avengers movie.