One of Marvel's weakest, but still a good setup for an amazing hero

Rating: 7/10 (26 August 2018)

1942. America has just entered the war and Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) wants to join. However, he is skinny, small and extremely sick, so he is constantly rejected. That is, until Dr. Erskine (played by Academy Award Nominee Stanley Tucci) recruits him for a science experiment that turns him into a buff, healthy young man - namely, Captain America. Although initially used as a propaganda tool, he proves to be more than just a soldier when he rescues 400 soldiers from behind enemy lines, including his friend Bucky (played by Sebastian Stan). They, along with no-nonsense Colonel Chester Phillips (played by Academy Award Winner Tommy Lee Jones) and the beautiful agent Peggy Carter (played by Golden Globe Nominee Hayley Atwell) plot to take down Hydra leader Johann Schmidt, aka the Red Skull (played by Hugo Weaving), before he and the entire Hydra army unleash havoc on the world.
Honestly, it's pretty typical origins story stuff here. There's nothing new and that's kind of a problem. We know what's going to happen; we know that the hero is going to save the day, fall in love with the girl, and become a true hero, etc. Director Joe Johnson kind of plays it safe and that's the films weak point.
However, the actors all bring it up from mediocrity. Chris Evans, who was still reeling from his disastrous turn as the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movies, finds the true hero that he was meant to play in Captain America. He is good; he is pure; he is ready to fight for the good of the people. Evans brings out that patriotism that Captain America imbues, proving that he was right for the role all along. All of the supporting actors are great as well. Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter is not a damsel in distress, but rather a woman of action in a time where women still stayed home during the war. She is more than capable of proving her own. Sebastian Stan is the best friend that everybody wants to have in this movie. Tommy Lee Jones, who also encountered a bit of failure in the Superhero genre with his disastrous turn as Two-Face in "Batman Forever," more than makes up for that in his portrayal of the Colonel. He does have a couple of comical moments, but he is never loony like in said Batman film. And finally, while Red Skull isn't exactly compelling, Hugo Weaving has had a history of playing bad guy roles - looking at you, Mr. Smith - that he clearly relishes playing the over-the-top bad guy. Safe to say, he does it very well here. Like I said, not compelling, but definitely memorable and fun.
Overall, I'd see this movie. It's not new territory, but it's fun and the actors are all having a good time doing it. It is a good set-up to The Avengers, as well as to the future Captain America movies.