In  Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) dreams of joining the army during World War II. The army refuses to recruit him because of his size and his lack of physical ability. Rogers, nevertheless, is unyielding in his effort to get recruited.

Things change when Rogers becomes acquainted with Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), the lead scientist associated with “Project Rebirth.” Abraham selects Rogers for “Project Rebirth” after Rogers demonstrates extraordinary wit, unwavering perseverance, and insurmountable courage (as he unknowingly jumps on a fake frag grenade in an effort to save his fellow soldiers’ lives).

As the sole participant in “Project Rebirth,” Rogers receives the “power serum,” which transforms him into Captain America.

As Captain America, Rogers fights to uphold American ideals against the disfigured arch nemesis, Red Skull and his army of Hydra soldiers.

The film’s plot is silly: a guy—wearing a pair of blue tights and a mask—escapades around heavily fortified military compounds, beating up evil soldiers (armed with anti-matter guns) using nothing but his bare hands and a circular shield.

Moreover, the film overemphasizes Captain America’s strength. Watching the super-hero throw Hydra soldiers over tanks prompts the question: Am I watching Captain America or the Hulk?

But, aside from the silliness of the plot, there are several aspects of the film that make it work as a comic action flick.

The movie is well paced, especially before the transformation scene (where Rogers becomes Captain America). Many action movies, typically those based on comic books, depend on a transformation scene whereby the hero is transformed from the average Joe into the super-human individual.

The success of these movies is partly dependent on the pacing of the scenes until the transformation occurs. The transformation scene is like the apex of a musical phrase; the scenes leading up to the transformation are like the notes of a melodic line, gradually crescendoing. Relatedly, Captain America: The First Avenger’s melodic line crescendos beautifully.

Not only is the film well paced, but it’s also well cast. Chris Evans does the first avenger justice. He’s convincing as Marvel’s symbolic super-hero.

Tommy Lee Jones, in addition, is perfectly cast as the cranky, but experienced Colonel Chester Phillips. Although Jones appears older in this role, his performance parallels those he gave in movies such as The Fugitive and U.S. Marshals.

Stanley Tucci is well cast as Dr. Abraham Erskine. He also approaches the role with enthusiasm. According to an article by Joe Johnston (reelz.com), Stanley Tucci said of his part: “I love the role. It’s really well written. I’d never done anything like that before. I’ve always wanted to do a German accent. It’s so much fun. It’s really interesting. Very good script, great experience.” His enthusiasm for the part is apparent in his acting.

Hugo Weaving is great as Johann Schmidt (Red Skull). While Rogers is convincing as a super-hero who embodies all that’s good, Weaving is convincing as a supervillain who embodies all that’s evil and sinister.

The most alluring aspect of the flick is its CGI effects. Its CGI is used in order to make Rogers appear scrawny before his transformation into Captain America.

According to Comicbookmovie.com, the effects supervisor Christopher Townsend said: “After much R&D we ended up with a 2D solution where we are literally mesh warping Chris Evan’s body and slimming him down, reducing his shoulders and arms, making his face more gaunt, thinning out his nose, making his chin more pointy, not quite an all American square jaw and also making him shorter by about five inches.”

Furthermore, Red Skull’s mask is well done. Once again Townsend (Comicbookmovie.com) said: “[Red Skull] looked beautiful because you weren’t quite sure whether it was bone, skin, muscle or blood.” It’s hard not to agree with Townsend. The skin-tight mask makes Schmidt appear grotesque, but also appear comic. It’s perfectly suited for its purpose.

Contemporary audiences thirst for gratuitous violence in films. Action movies, especially those based on graphic novels (Kick-Ass, for example) quench the thirst.

Captain America: The First Avenger, however, has the appropriate amount of violence. I saw it in the theater with my little brother. I remember thinking: it’s nice to enjoy a movie, which doesn’t rely on excessive violence.

Overall, aside from the silly plot, the movie is well paced and well cast. Its CGI is just short of spectacular, and it doesn’t rely on excessive violence to keep its audience engaged. I give the flick four out of five stars.