Captain America: The First Avenger

3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action
Paramount
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D

It’s been a great year for Marvel, as three of the comic book company’s superhero titles have made their way to the big screen, each garnering critical praise and respectable box-office numbers. “Thor” got things started in early May, followed closely by “X-Men: First Class.”

“Captain America: The First Avenger” hit theaters most recently, and it maintained the high quality set by the earlier films. One part World War II drama and one part science-fiction adventure, the movie focuses on Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), an undersized young man whose repeated attempts to join the military are thwarted by health issues. Desperate to do his part for his country, Rogers makes a last-ditch effort to join the Army, and a sympathetic scientist named Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) gives him a shot.

Erskine sees Rogers as the perfect candidate for a super soldier serum he developed, and it’s not long before the once sickly lad possesses enormous strength and agility. The bulk of the film is set during the 1940s, and it follows Rogers’ exploits as he slowly transitions from naïve patriot to genuine war hero. Of course, every superhero film needs a first-class villain, and “Captain America” gets Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), a power-obsessed Nazi officer with a plan for world domination. 

Evans is solid as Rogers, and he’s surrounded by a talented supporting cast that includes Tommy Lee Jones, Toby Jones, Sebastian Stan and Hayley Atwell. But “Captain America” isn’t really an actor’s showcase. Rather, director Joe Johnston (“The Rocketeer,” “October Sky”) has designed it as a pure action film that does a respectable job introducing its central character, then propels viewers through a lightweight but enjoyable adventure. 

The movie is available as part of multiple home video releases, including a Blu-ray 3D set that also includes standard Blu-ray, DVD and digital copies of the feature. Extras vary.

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Author Bio:

Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit www.ForrestHartman.com.