Disclaimer: I like Captain America, alot. I really enjoyed The First Avenger, and freaking loved The Avengers and The Winter Soldier. This isn't about hating, it's about... what the [frick]?
So, as I watched The Winter Soldier again the other day, I couldn't help but notice a few things:
1. The final battle in The Winter Soldier is almost an exact replica of the The First Avenger.
In TFA, Captain America is forced to gain access to a massive flying science fiction machine, and bring it down from the inside, possibly at his own peril.
The EXACT SAME THING happens in The Winter Soldier with the 3 helicarriers.
2. Captain America has a massive martyr complex.
In The First Avenger, Tommy Lee Jones throws a grenade out, to test the mettle of his men. Steve Rogers jumps on it like a drunken prom date with the intention of saving his friends. I won't lie, this gave me goosebumps when I first saw it. That's some Captain America Shit right there. Later, however, he is forced to put the Spruce Goose in the ocean to keep it from bombing the world. Okay, I'll bite, maybe there were no parachutes, maybe he had to be there when it went in with his hands on the controls. It's all pretty circumspect, but I'll take it. I mean... in The Winter Soldier he jumps into the ocean without a parachute... but that water was warmer... and shark infested.
Cut to the Avengers, Steve's been thawed out and he's back to doin' what he does best, fighting for 'Murica. He and Iron Man have a heated exchange, during which Cap informs Stark that he'll never, and I'm paraphrasing here, "Be the one to make the sacrifice play." Stark argues that he'll always find a way. But doesn't this just indicate that the sacrifice play is the only tool in Rogers' toolbox? I mean... Does every battle have to end with a heroic self-sacrifice?
A couple more years go by and lo and behold, ol' Star Spangled Steve finds himself again at a cross roads. He has swapped the microchips on all 3 helicarriers, giving control over to Maria Hill. The day is won at this point. However, instead of safely removing his bullet riddled body from danger, he gives Maria Hill the order to have each ship fire on the next, essentially destroying the ship he's on for no good God damn reason. What's that about?!
So.. that's all I got, pretty much. Captain America, as portrayed in the MCU, has a serious martyr complex. Apparently he feels he's more help to people dead than alive, as he's always trying to die for this or that. Please comment below and hit me with a thumbs up if you feel it's warranted.