It is 1942. The world is in the middle of its second World War. Hitler has his top scientists searching for the “ultimate weapon.” Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) heads up a special Nazi unit called Hydra. He has found a relic in Norway that was the source of Odin’s power. He takes it to his scientist for use as a power supply for just such a weapon.

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) has been bullied all his life. He’s a little guy. But he’s got the heart of a giant. All he wants to do is join the military so he can fight in the war. He tries many times, but is always deemed unfit for service.

Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci) is one of America’s top scientists, (working with Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) of Stark Industries…nice tie-in here) hoping to find the right serum to create a super soldier. His first serum was not a complete success. It was developed under the Nazis. And used on Schmidt. The result was a disfigured face, leaving Schmidt with the villainous moniker Red Skull.

Steve Rogers catches Dr. Erskine’s eye. Rogers is then placed under Agent Carter’s (Hayley Atwell) command. (She obviously becomes the love interest.) Colonel Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) heads up this brigade, and is leery at Rogers’ potential.

After the serum is a success, and Erskine is killed, Phillips and his crew head off to find Hydra. Rogers is left behind as an experiment, and becomes a costumed hero selling war bonds.

He wants more. After “entertaining” the troops, he goes off on his own to rescue his friend. When the mission is successful, he is allowed to form his own crew to hunt Hydra.

Do you have to suspend a little belief in history, physics, science, believability for this movie? Yes. It’s a comic book movie. That said, I think this movie has an excellent ratio of backstory to action to humor. More so than many other superhero movies of late. It is very well done. (With the exception of the explanation of how Captain America gets to present day.) Tommy Lee Jones is great as pseudo-comic relief.

I will say, as with some other comic book movies that have been release lately, it may be a little intense for smaller children. Preteens-teens may be ok. If you think they can handle the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, then they should be ok with this movie.

Not only would I recommend seeing this movie, I would recommend splurging and seeing it in 3D. This movie uses 3D very effectively. And at no point does it seem gratuitous.

After seeing this movie, I’m anxiously awaiting The Avengers movie that is due next year, I believe. My only complaint is that I saw a pre-release screening. There is a teaser after the credits. The teaser you see may be a little more meaningful, from what I hear. Mine was simply white text on a black screen: “Captain America will return in The Avengers.” The theater booed. Rightfully so.