With a nice cast, exciting action scenes, and a retro visual vibe, Captain America is the funnest movie of the Summer.

Rating: 8/10 (1 August 2011)

As I walked out of Captain America: The First Avenger, I felt the gleeful aftermath of a truly great popcorn flick. It's safe to say that Captain America is THE most fun I've had with ANY 2011 movie I've seen, thus far.
Chris Evans stars as Steve Rogers, a true patriot if there ever was one in the 1940's. Though he has the selflessness and bravery of a hundred men, he's forbidden to join the armies of World War II due to his 90 pound body frame. But, with the help of a caring Scientist named Abraham Erskine (Played by Stanley Tucci), he's recruited for a special super soldier infantry, and through the power of science, successfully goes through an experiment that gives him the muscles to match his heroic spirit. But, trouble arises when the USA are facing a threat from an underground organization known as HYDRA, lead by a disfigured Nazi named Johann Schmidt (Played with hissing intimidation by Hugo Weaving). Growing tired of his celebrity status, Rogers decides that it's time to take action, and fight the good fight. Captain America is born.
It's not often when visual effects designer turned director Joe Johnston makes a good movie, let alone something as great as Captain America. The movie is a refreshing return to a retro vibe not seen of Johnston since The Rocketeer. He and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely manage a consistent tone, and never make the exciting action sequences feel like they're one too many.
As you would expect, Johnston's tech crew have crafted the film very well. Mainly through stylized, but era appropriate sets by Rick Heinrichs. Costumes specific to character and mood by Anna Sheppard. An exciting, and glorious return to past form for composer Alan Silvestri. And last but not least, prosthetic makeup of Red Skull by Lisa Westcott that is so good, it's scary.
As for the cast, Chris Evans is especially of notice. Steve Rogers is a highly likable character from the beginning. He never does anything to make us dislike him, and though that threatens to make him feel one note at times, Evans has no problem with keeping the character feeling fresh, a highly beneficial trait. Tommy Lee Jones and Hugo Weaving are delightful in their roles of Col. Chester Philips and Johann Schmidt (aka. Red Skull), and the beautiful Hayley Atwell gives it her all as Rogers' love interest, Peggy Carter.
It's not always perfect, but the film also features some really exceptional scenes. A daring raid on the HYDRA facilities, a claustrophobic tussle within the confines of a train, and an amusingly creative musical montage of Captain America's celebrity status, set to the original song "Star Spangled Man" with lyrics by David Zippel, and music by the LEGENDARY Alan Menken.
The movie is a pleasant addition to what has been a surprisingly good Summer. Certainly better than last year's. So I hope just as many people going off to see Potter's final bow, or the Transformers' final war will pay just as much attention to Captain America.
Before I sign off, I must note two things. My rating, which is *** out of **** Also, I must remind you to stay for a special scene after the end credits, which then leads into a teaser for the upcoming movie, The Avengers, due out in the Summer of next year. If you walk out before that, you're missing too much. My anticipation for the film is now at an all time high, and I can't wait to see it.