Captain America is a rarity of sorts in the modern blockbuster. There is no sense of postmodern reflection for frail Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) only a sense of duty that shines brighter than his translucently pale chest. Fortunately, a scientist (Stanley Tucci) takes pity on the remarkably resilient Rogers and offers him a trial experiment for the Super Soldier serum. The serum thought to be the over-the-top measure to beat the Nazis and Red Skull’s Hydra works and Captain America is born.

The film is filled with the sort of old school World War II action that is missing from the cinema anymore. Chris Evans is the ultimate boy scout, a man from a time where duty was king, and the film relies upon its ability to wax nostalgic about the yesteryear of its greatest heroes. There's no false notes about it either. None of the trademark cynicism that is always present in modern war films.

There were worries that a film about Cap. would either be entirely too realistic, or campy, fortunately the film is neither. What makes the film an oddity though is the action scenes are not the big draw. A man resolving himself to fight an enemy under any cost is much more satisfying.