Captain America: The First Avenger

Based on the Marvel comic book series created in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, Captain America: The First Avenger revolves around Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a patriotic Brooklyn kid who dreams of becoming a World War II hero. Unfortunately, every time he tries to enlist, the scrawny, asthmatic, 98-pound Steve is rejected for medical/physical reasons. But German émigré scientist Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) recognizes his dedication and recruits him for Project Rebirth, a top-secret, experimental procedure that ends up transforming him into cell-enhanced, invincible super-soldier Captain America. In his new persona, strapping Steve joins forces with his pal, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and military liaison Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), all under the command of Col. Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) to destroy the Nazis' hotshot science division known as HYDRA, led by the diabolical Johann Schmidt/Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Simplistically written and formulaically directed by Joe Johnston, this is a solid, stylish, old-fashioned action-adventure that is more fun than recent superhero flicks Thor, Green Hornet, or Green Lantern. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Joe Johnston, cinematographer Shelly Johnson, and editor Jeffrey Ford, the behind-the-scenes featurette on “Outfitting a Hero” (11 min.), a brief “The Assembly Begins” sneak peek at the upcoming Avengers film, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are five additional behind-the-scenes featurettes—“Howling Commandoes,” “Heightened Technology,” “The Transformation,” “Behind the Skull,” and “Captain America's Origin” (36 min. total)—as well as deleted scenes (5 min.), a “Marvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer” short (4 min.), and bonus 3-D Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package—especially on Blu-ray—for a solid superhero flick.] (S. Granger)