Reflections of a stormy petrel

I think I was too hard on both Whedon and Evans. Captain America is a hard character to render, because he is based on a join between progressive politics and patriotism that came natural to the age of FDR and Harry Truman, but has altogether broken down today. And what is more, the big leading man, incarnating in his own self a whole idea of right living and justice, simply does not seem to be around any more - whether left or right wing, whether John Wayne or Gregory Peck. I don't think the machismo of someone like Clint Eastwood is on the same page, and after Eastwood, who is there at all? I always saw Cap as a fair-haired Gregory Peck; there are some Jack Kirby panels where the resemblance is visible. Gary Cooper could also have done him brilliantly, although the fair hair would have been a problem - he'd NEVER look right. Jimmy Stewart, whom I've seen people mention, not so much; there is a sense of aw-shucks and conscious folksiness that is not consistent with the Steve Rogers who was a native New Yorker and an artist. But those guys had the essential presence, which today is very hard to find. (If I wanted to be nasty, I might add that the best leading man in Hollywood is Uma Thurman!) Evans stands well, has the broad shoulders and physical presence required, and can call up commitment and command. He is at his best when barking out orders - very well conceived and written by Whedon, so that you can see that he has taken in all the facts and worked out the one plan of battle that has a chance of succeeding. And watching the movie again, I find that I can forgive most things for that one scene during the battle when Cap charges down the street to help trapped civilians and bewildered cops, as flame and explosions go off all around him - a page of Jack Kirby on the screen.

Still, the costume stinks.