The line that sums up Steve Rogers’ character is his response to Schmidt/Red Skull when he asks him, “Who are you?” Steve says, “Nobody. I’m just a kid from Brooklyn.” That why for our latest Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters episode, Celeste and I chose Captain America: The First Avenger. We broke our own rule of discussing movies that are 20 years old or older because we think the first 20+ movies in the MCU are already classics. In any case, we wanted to chat about Steve because he’s the kind of man we wish there were more of in the world.
This is Captain America’s origin story. As I’ve said on more than one occasion, these super hero movies are a form of our modern mythology. Dr. Erskine has developed a serum to transform “skinny Steve” into a muscular man who is amazingly strong, heals almost instantly, and whose goodness is amplified. Steve is humble, highly intelligent, and driven to fight for what’s right. That’s why Dr. Erskine chooses him for the test of his serum. He says, “… the serum amplifies everything that is inside, so good becomes great; bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because the strong man who has known power all his life, may lose respect for that power, but a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows compassion.” I’ve been fortunate to know many men like him. Maybe that’s why I’m attracted to his character.
Some people who review movies on YouTube think Steve Rogers is the most boring character in the MCU because he doesn’t change much. I disagree. He’s the moral compass of the Avengers. He’s a strategic thinker and can project possible outcomes when the team is trying to come up with a strategy to defeat their foes. He’s willing to defy and call out authority if he thinks their decisions are not good for humanity in the final outcome.
Alan Seawright a professional film maker, and his good friend Jonathan Decker, a licensed therapist have a series of videos on their YouTube channel, Cinema Therapy titled, “Psychology of a Hero”. Steve Rogers is one of the heroes they analyze and they think he’s one of the best examples of a hero of any of the MCU. I agree with them. I wish there were more men like him in the world.
Celeste and I hope you’ll watch our analysis of this movie and make comments on what you think about Steve Rogers/Captain America and his place in the MCU.
