5. Chris Evans’ performance is a lot better than you remember
The Captain is probably the hardest Marvel movie hero to make interesting with his patriotic demeanour, starry shield, love of country and super-strength all inviting sneering. Props then to Chris Evans for making Steve Rogers as likeable as he is.
Devoid of, say, the quip-happy nature of Tony Stark or Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), both of whom have no issues winning an audience over, the Captain risks becoming dour and a bit dull. Nevertheless, Evans peppers the role with enough conviction to make the character compelling.
As proof, check out the elevator fight scene from The Winter Soldier again to get a measure of Evans’ brilliantly understated performance: as Rogers realises that his enemies are closing in, watch his reactions veer from suspicion to dawning realisation to reluctant acceptance of the brawl that’s coming. It’s a far more intelligent, slow-burning piece of acting than blockbusters usually allow for (kudos also to the Russos for their engrossing direction).
