Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, was a popular comic book character before the MCU ever existed, but the films have transformed him into one of the most iconic cinematic heroes of all time. Thanks largely to the endearing and committed performance by Chris Evans, the character has become perhaps the MCU's most important hero.
Avengers: Endgame seemed to bring an end to Cap's journey in the MCU, which began back in Captain America: The First Avenger. Throughout the years, the character has gone through some huge developments and changed in ways that have largely made him a more compelling hero.
Costume
It was never going to be easy to bring Cap's costume into a live-action world without looking silly. The First Avenger cleverly rooted the costume in the military's attempt to create a figure of propaganda and it fits surprisingly well in the throwback adventure.
When Cap was brought into the modern world in The Avengers, the costume really stuck out. Endgame even makes a point of poking fun at it. The other movies have attempted to make a more grounded and sleeker version, which feels more appropriate.
Steve And Bucky
Perhaps the most important relationship Steve had throughout his three solo films was with his childhood friend Bucky Barnes. Their friendship has motivated many of Steve's actions in the MCU as they started by fighting side-by-side, were then forced to fight each other, and finally, Steve fought to protect Bucky.
It was a moving relationship that just sort of ended in the MCU. With so much going on in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, the Steve and Bucky storyline doesn't get much attention. After everything, it seems strange the relationship will end on such an anti-climactic note.
The Boy Scout
One of the struggles with a character like Captain America is that he might be too good. It's not much fun seeing a superpowered character who always does the right thing and never makes mistakes.
When Cap was introduced to the MCU, that noble spirit was endearing but it risked getting old fast. Wisely, the films began to roughen up the character a bit to make him more flawed, like when he withheld information about Tony's parents.
Fighting Style
As if there weren't enough struggles with bringing Cap to the big screen, the fact that his main fighting style was throwing a big shield didn't help. Luckily, once Cap was brought into the modern world, he seemed to learn a few new tricks.
In the opening action scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Cap's new fighting style is on full display and it is thrilling. He is tactic, brutal, and fast-paced, which added a whole new level of excitement to his movies.
Unquestioning Patriotism
The MCU has become such a massive franchise that it is popular all over the world and its stories span across the universe. So to have a character named Captain America who literally wears the American flag, it seems limiting.
The movies did a fine job from the beginning of making Steve Rogers someone who is not just about America but about justice. The later films wonderfully explore the idea that patriotism sometimes means questioning those in power.
His Legacy
All of the heroes in the MCU come with their share of flaws, but Cap seemed like the untarnished one who kept them all grounded. He was the symbol of what a hero should be and someone for everyone to look up to.
That noble aspect of the character never really went away, but the way he is perceived by others did change. After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Cap goes from America's greatest hero to its biggest fugitive. It was an interesting direction to take the character.
Fish Out Of Water
At the end of The First Avenger, Cap wakes up in the 21st century and realizes the world he knew is now gone. It was a moment that changed the character into somewhat of a tragic hero, though the films did have a lot of fun with the fish-out-of-water humor.
As time went on, Cap seemed to get comfortable with the new world surprisingly quickly. Before too long, it seems like he is right at home, despite being the butt of a few old-man jokes every once in a while.
Steve And Tony
As soon as they meet in The Avengers, it's clear Steve and Tony Stark are not always going to see eye to eye. They butt heads almost immediately before developing genuine respect for each other as heroes.
That tension between them develops into a fascinating friendship. They grow closer as teammates before becoming divided in a major way. In the end, these two heroes come to realize that despite everything, they want to be fighting side by side.
Likable
It's hard not to be charmed by Steve Rogers and his journey in his origin story, but Captain America was probably not a lot of people's favorite Avenger from the beginning. His fellow heroes just seemed to be more entertaining than the perfect hero.
However, Cap only grew more likable as the franchise went on. His determination and his good heart made him go from slightly dull to just the kind of hero fans needed.
Romance With Peggy
Romance in the MCU has always been a little tricky. Amidst all the superhero action, the love plots can feel a bit forced. In The First Avenger, the relationship between Steve and Peggy Carter was sweet yet didn't have much time to develop before he went into the ice.
Remarkably, without having much screen time together outside that first movie, the franchise continued to solidify the bond between these two characters. Aside from an unfortunate misstep with Sharon Carter, Steve never faltered in his love, which made his happy ending all the more rewarding.