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CATFA 017: I Don’t Like Bullies

Minute Seventeen: From Questions About His Tests to A Chance

Joining us again, we have Don Shanahan and Will Johnson from the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast!

In the seventeenth minute of Joe Johnston’s 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger…

Dr. Erskine has a folder about Steve. What’s in it? Should Steve be more concerned? Dr. Erskine seems very nice so maybe he’ll be okay?

This is a big minute because of the conversation between Erskine and Steve. Dr. Erskine wonders if Steve wants to kill Nazis, but Steve’s reply surprises a bit – “I don’t want to kill anybody. I don’t like Nazis.” What great motivation for this character! It’s a big moment – perhaps one of the biggest for this character’s setup – and we’re here for it.

There’s a nature to setting Steve up this way where he’s already the hero. He’s just not a superhero yet. That’s powerful and is a different story than what we’ve had so far with Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, or Thor Odinson. That speaks to the nature of this type of story as well where Steve isn’t changing in the film – he’s changing those around him. And they do it without falling into the traps of jingoism.

Steve passes the test as Dr. Erskine says he can give him a chance… but only a chance. It’s perfect. We love this moment. Big minute for Steve that defines so much of his character throughout the MCU. Tune in!

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