THE STARS: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones.
THE STORY: Steve Rogers (Evans) may not be Superman but he has the heart and soul of a true American and when the opportunity is presented to Evans to get the physical strength to match his personal traits he steps up to the mark, Evans is transformed into a super soldier, he is tasked with taking on the evil and darkness of the Nazi regime.
ANOTHER month, another superhero flick. Following on the heels of the agreeable, if unremarkable Thor earlier this summer, the folks at Marvel studios are delving into the back catalogue again.
It's all Iron Man's fault. Ever since Robert Downey Jr thrilled film fans and critics alike with Tony Stark's first outing a few years ago, it feels like Marvel and many other studios are bringing anyone who's ever donned a cape or hidden behind a mask to the big screen.
You can hardly blame us for suffering a little from superhero fatigue. And while Captain America is not special enough to provide a cure, this entertains as a movie in its own right.
Considering we have yet another origins story, the plot unfolds reasonably well.
Set during WW2 - and featuring a pleasantly-retro look that sets it apart from more futuristic superheroes - the film centres on Steve Rogers, a geeky young man who is desperate to get accepted into the US army so that he can fight the war in Europe.
His guts and determination eventually catch the eye of one army doctor who signs him up for an experimental programme. Using secret chemicals, they transform him into a super soldier known as Captain America.
Disillusioned at being dressed in a superhero costume to fight the publicity war, he eventually gets the opportunity to go behind enemy lines for a daring mission to save several missing soldiers - including some of his childhood friends.
Determined to stop him is the evil Red Skull (Weaving) a rogue Nazi who's developing a secret programme of his own.
Much of the success of the film is down to its lead star, Chris Evans. Though eyebrows were raised when Evans - who already played a lead character in the Fantastic Four movies - was cast as the character, he certainly makes the part his own.
While Hayley Atwell struggles with an underdeveloped role, Australian actor Hugo Weaving is great as the Captain's nasty nemesis.
THE VERDICT:
IT'S all a little too earnest and cheesy but as a solid summer blockbuster, the movie looks great and provides plenty of entertainment value. Its leading man brings both a sparky energy and charm to the table. The big let-down, when Evans wakes up he has missed a important date.
