One of the best early MCU films

Rating: Null/10 (30 October 2019)

It's interesting to watch this film after the events of The Endgame. Back when this movie came out, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was still finding its feet. The first Avengers films was still a distant dream, one we didn't really believe would come. But, looking at this film now, it's clear that the film makers believed in this project. Sure, it's a standalone film, but so much of what the MCU would eventually become is already present in this film.
The story is of course about Steve Rogers, who eventually rises up to become Captain America, one of the most iconic superheroes of the 21st century. And I do like that it takes place in the 1940s. Makes it unique among the MCU films, gives it a different feel. Sure, we still have all those nice little science gizmos and magical whatsamacallits, but they have this nice pulp fiction aesthetic to them, which I really like.
It's also notable that this is a surprisingly gory film. Oh sure, it's still pretty clean as far as the imagery goes, but it does take place during World War Two, which allows our shining squeaky clean hero to pick up a gun and start shooting enemies. Because they're Nazis. People can look dirty and disheveled, and so forth.
Granted, I can see why so many people prefer the later MCU films. This is still pretty standalone, with a relatively modest budget. It doesn't have those layers of polish and sheer style that the later films have. Still, Steve Rogers is one of my favourite characters in the franchise, and this movie is largely to thank for that.
Here's to you, Cap.