There’s nothing worse than watching a movie and wondering, what is the hero’s motivation? In Captain America: The First Avenger (now playing at Coronado's Village Theater) we know from the start. That’s good, especially for a superhero movie.

It’s 1942, and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is an asthmatic young man with a gnarly comb-over who wants to go into battle and channel his appreciation for his father’s valiant service fighting in the 107^th infantry. But Steve-o’s health history and his wimpy stature prevent him from reaching his dream, despite his national pride.

So imagine how fortunate he is when he meets a quirky scientist (Stanley Tucci) who can put him in an “enlarging machine” and change his cellular composition.  He’s asked to be a lab rat, essentially, to ascertain whether the technology will indeed change the future of warfare by creating a super soldier. Little Stevie acquiesces. He wants to honor his father. He also wants to fight the Nazi bullies. It’s a cause close to his heart, having been brutalized in the back alleys of Brooklyn as a kid.

Bingo. Tangible, clear motivation.

Steve’s an endearing little fella, and at first I wasn’t sure I wanted him to change. Neither did Agent Carter (Hayley Atwell), the raven-haired girl with the red lipstick who wants to dance with him, or the seasoned Tommy Lee Jones, who gives another deadpan comedic performance as Colonel Phillips. But Steve Rogers is a good man, and the machine makes good men great. So little Stevie Rogers enters the growth chamber. Some dorky blue lights go off, sort of Weird Science-ish. And when Steve Rogers emerges, he’s quite a specimen. He’s Captain America.

Stand back, ladies. Holy mother of muscles. He’s ripped.

At this point in the movie, I’m thinking how I might be improved in the machine. But not for long. Captain America dons his costume. We all know he’s meant for more than a cheesy pep rally, and we’re ready for it. Let’s go.

Captain America then undertakes not one, but three missions into German territory to save American soldiers and wage war on the Hydra Organization (which wants the technology) and its leader Red Skull (Hugo Weaving).

Darn.

One mission would have built suspense, gathered intrigue, and deepened characterization. It would have been simpler. But this is an action movie, so Captain America battles it out on several missions with his highly conspicuous Captain America shield.

I had to remind myself this is a movie based on a comic, because the motivation for this character at the start of the film is very real. Despite the thrilling zip line through the Alps, the vintage-y exploration of WWII, and a mildly twisty ending, it’s the first half of the movie that makes the comic hero compelling.

That was fun. Now where can you get that transformation machine?