The best of Marvel's 'Phase 1' films

Rating: 8/10 (28 August 2014)

'Captain America: The Fist Avenger' is currently the lowest rated of Marvel's so-called MCU films on IMDb. I get that taste varies, but I find this to be surprising and more than a little frustrating.
The MCU is yet to have a flop, but that doesn't mean there haven't been some misses. 'Iron Man 2' and '3' are both middling efforts, 'The Incredible Hulk' is utterly forgettable and 'Thor 2' is downright bad. That *any* of these films is rated higher than 'CA:TFA' is a travesty.
This is a handsomely made, wonderfully acted movie with a heart as big as its titular hero. Everything here--the action, the drama and the humor--is character driven. There's none of the bloat that plagued 'Iron Man 2' and none of the laziness that derailed 'Thor 2' and 'Iron Man 3'.
I know 'Iron Man' is generally regarded as the best of the MCU Phase 1 films, but I challenge that notion and submit for your re-appraisal 'Captain America: The First Avenger'.