Does anyone like Captain America: The First Avenger?

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When it comes to The Avengers mostly the main 4 (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk) I get the feeling that Cap is the one that isn't liked as much as the other 3. The first Iron Man movie is praised a lot and RDJ is loved for his portrayal and the first Thor is also loved and Chris Hemsworth is loved as Thor. But when it comes to Chris Evans as Captain America no one seems to praise him as much as the other 2. I guess because Iron Man is more comical and sarcastic and Thor is basically a fish out of water and is I guess is kinda jolly with that accent but Cap I guess isn't exactly par with those. I mean OK he's not sarcastic but while I find it hard to explain I do really like this character and I also love the first Captain America movie and can't wait for the sequel. But I get the feeling that no really likes this movie as much as Iron Man and Thor. Personally I think it's one of the best superhero movies period. I mean it wouldn't be in my top 10 superhero movies list but it would be close and I guess the general public and movie critics wouldn't consider it one of the best superhero movies ever made but I do and that's my opinion. I guess I just don't understand why it isn't as liked or talk of that much as Iron Man and Thor. Granted I think The Avengers is the best of those movies but I would consider Captain America: The First Avenger probably my second favourite or the first Iron Man, also I would consider Captain America even more superior to other superhero movies even ones that are considered the best and would probably out rank Captain America on a list e.g. The Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies, X-Men: First Class, Superman II etc.

Captain America was created as a celebration of the values that once defined the U.S., before political correctness set in and corrupted things across the map. As this country's political and moral climate gets worse, some people stop believing that absolutes really work. They even rail against figures like Cap, because his stance on morality, honor, and truth is a mirror showing how far the other side has really fallen. Yet, many still believe in classic American values, as evidenced by this country's people rallying together in crises like 9/11 or school shootings. Its been said that courage is not the absence of fear, but a willingness to confront threats in direct spite of your fear. Cap represents someone who will never back down to any form of corruption, whether it be in Germany, Russia, or our own government's halls.

On a similar note, Superman is also railed against by many today, for a lot of the same reasons. Some folks don't want to be better, instead preferring their heroes step down to a more apathetic level.

I still have to watch most of the Avengers series. I saw the first Thor movie when it was out in theaters, and I've also seen parts of The Avengers, but I haven't watched any of the Iron Man movies or Captain America or the Thor sequels.

On a side note though, is there anything strange about me not really being interested in Captain America? I'm a Canadian, and I've always thought of patriotic American stuff as being rather... silly. I don't know, but sometimes I just feel like American culture is a bit too dominant and permeating here. I like a lot of things from the US though, don't get me wrong, but I'm a Canadian, not an American.

I guess Cap isn't as widely hailed because Thor, Hulk and Iron Man all have either a ton of cool gadgets or cool abilities and Cap just has his shield and being a super soldier. I liked the last movie of his that came out, it did feel a bit like the old Indiana Jones movies and had a cheesy scene here or there but it was mostly good overall.

To understand the symbolism of Captain America, you have to think about what originally inspired the design of the U.S. flag. The star is a symbol of "light holding back the darkness", and the idea is that several of them together can work better than one alone. The upper left corner's blue background is a reference to loyalty, which is commonly associated with that color in many countries. The white stripes represent honor, purity, and virtue, similar to the original intent of a white wedding dress. The red stripes represent courage, bravery, and sacrifice, especially regarding the blood American soldiers have shed to protect both our own country and others' for over 200 years. Captain America represents all those values I mentioned, and it doesn't matter whether you're a citizen or not; if you hold dear and are willing to defend those same values, you're among friends.

Along with the Hulk, Captain America is my favorite Avenger. And I personally think Captain America: The First Avenger is the best Avengers related movie so far. Cap represents the ideals America was built on - a common guy given amazing power, who uses it responsibly and for good. He represents what America is supposed to be.

I thought it was pretty good. I liked Hugo Weaving as Red Skull.

I am waiting to see Winter Soldier.

Speaking extremely carefully here, I can sort of see why Disney-Marvel were fairly cautious with marketing Captain America outside the USA, so much as retitling it here in the UK as The First Avenger. It's far too easy for some people to confuse ... believing in the values that Cap. is supposed to represent for something less... benign...?

Maybe I'm just thinking too much about socio-political issues that don't really have anything to do with the fictional character other than a name-sharing coincidence. Or I'm uncomfortable with patriotism. Or I'm biased because I just didn't like the movie full-stop (period).

My opinion aside, I can understand why the Captain America movie has its fans, both inside and out of the US, and why there's anticipation for the sequel. It's a well-put-together piece of work and it's good for people to have positive things to believe in.

I absolutely plan on seeing it!

Why are you speaking carefully? Half of these comic book movies have a clear right wing ideological mission! It didn't escape my attention, for example, that The Dark Knight Rises framed the GFC, and anti wall street protesters in a particularly dishonest way, or that TDK glorified lying to the public as the greatest civic virtue, and seemingly endorsed police-state measures such as extraordinary rendition, and warrantless surveillance.

Given the origins of Captain America as a WW2 propaganda Icon, and its use more recently in comic book story lines endorsing the war on terror narrative, it is not unreasonable to be mindful of this latest movies motives in that regard. Robert Redford's involvement is a clear indication that things will be otherwise, and the film makers are no doubt counting on the fact that the international market gets that message. I sure did, and I will be watching this movie based on Redford's involvement alone .

Last edited by Stannis on 21 Mar 2014, 1:33 am, edited 10 times in total.

Thinking about it now, I kind of dig it. Especially when you think of how close Canada and the US are to one another, I mean, sure we've had our scuffles and rivalries, and I don't necessarily agree with everything the US government does (though neither do many of the US's own citizens ) but ultimately, we're bros, and we've got each other's backs.

Amen to that, my bro to the north! As a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, I probably have more in common with Canadians than I do with much of the American heartland or south.

Thanks very much for understanding what I meant. Alas, once bitten, twice as shy; I had an unpleasant run-in once with some steadfast individuals from certain places over socio-political matters. So I tend to be very cautious with my wording when pointing out these sorts of things, even when it's as abstract as what Superman or Cap. America represent. As a foreigner who hasn't grown up with these sorts of things, I guess I've a different (albeit more cynical) point of view.

Anyway, the main thing is that whilst I don't 100% understand what you mean about Robert Redford or The Dark Knight (I'm sorry, those films put me to sleep - they're not bad, I just personally find them boring), I'm glad you, like many many other people, have found reasons to value Cap. America and therefore anticipate The Winter Soldier. Not said to be patronising, more supportive.

What I meant was that Redford is a well known hollywood liberal, and would probably not associate himself with blatant right wing propaganda.

Actually, reading Redford's bio just now, it appears that he's more republican aligned at times. That surprises me.

Last edited by Stannis on 21 Mar 2014, 10:04 pm, edited 5 times in total.

Thanks for clarifying one point, I appreciate that as I don't tend to follow many American actors these days (coincidence again).

Why the hell was I sent notification that this thread no longer exists?