As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues with Phase Four, sometimes it’s nice to look back on the first three phases and revisit the original six Avengers. They are being phased out of the MCU to make room for new heroes. One of the original six is Steve Rogers’ Captain America, who passed on his shield to Sam Wilson to take his place as the new Captain America.
Steve Rogers was introduced to the MCU in the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger. Rogers was introduced as the noble and idealistic hero, who was often seen as a goody-two-shoes by fellow Avenger Tony Stark. Although Steve Rogers was never meant to be the “funny” one of the bunch, he was often unintentionally hilarious without trying
When he tipped Sam
“If they shoot you, they’re mean.”
In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson is introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Falcon. Captain America and Falcon are about to fight and Falcon asks how they are supposed to know who is evil. Captain America’s response was of little help.
While this line may seem like a sarcastic joke from the hero, Captian America tries to be genuine. With his noble personality and desire to always do good, even the most genuine lines can come across as sarcastic. This line in particular is an example of how often it is unintentionally funny. Knowing that this line is entirely authentic is why it’s so hilarious.
When he gave the enemy a chance to leave
“Before we start, does anyone want to come out?”
The elevator fight scene in Captain America: The Winter Soldier brings this iconic line with it. While surrounded by Hydra henchmen in an elevator, Cap delivers this quip, knowing that a battle is about to take place.
Captain America might have meant that line to be a joke, but with his kindness and ability to see the best in everyone, it’s not hard to believe Cap would have let someone out of the elevator. he wanted to back off. No matter what Cap meant, the line is immediately followed by an exciting fight in a crowded elevator.
When Loki’s behavior is a little too familiar to him
“You know, the last time I was in Germany and saw a man standing over everyone, we ended up disagreeing.”
In the avengers, Loki stands over a crowd of people, forcing them to kneel before him. Captain America hails from the WWII era, which makes Loki’s demeanor very familiar.
This is another quote that’s meant to be entirely authentic, but the way Cap formulates it makes it humorous despite its seriousness. Coming from another Avenger, this quote would be a witty joke that’s meant to be exactly that, but coming from the noble and serious Captain America, it’s an example of a serious line that’s actually quite funny.
When he suddenly passed his childhood best friend
“I joined the army.”
Steve Rogers was noble even before he became Captain America. He attempted to enlist in the army a total of five times, but was rejected for various health issues. Despite his health issues, Steve felt called to join the military and looked forward to serving his country. In the first Captain America movie, Steve Rogers is quite small before he receives the serum, so when his best friend Bucky first sees him after being injected with the serum, it makes sense that Bucky would ask Steve what happened. ‘has passed.
Bucky was always there to protect Steve as they grew up, so when Steve showed up to save him after the serum, Bucky was rightly confused and looking for a serious answer. Steve wanted this line to be serious because for him the army changed everything but that doesn’t change the fact that his answer doesn’t actually tell Bucky how he got bigger and stronger which is why this line is so funny.
When he fought
“Yeah, I know.”
Cap’s catchphrase ‘I can do this all day’ came back to bite him Avengers: Endgame when he went back in time and had to fight the past version of himself. 2012’s eager Captain America reminded Cap that he had the strength and determination to keep fighting.
Captain America’s unwavering commitment to doing the right thing no matter the cost can be seen in every movie he’s been in and is something fans admire about him. Cap never imagined that he would come to regret this selflessness, but when he has to fight for the greater good, he lets out an exasperated “yes, I know”, expressing his regret. The absurdity of this situation is one of the reasons this line is so funny.
When he received the serum
“Bigger.”
After receiving an experimental serum intended to improve the body and mind, anyone would feel a number of things. In the first movie, Peggy asks Steve how he feels after getting the serum and this quote was Steve’s response.
This is another quote Captain America meant seriously. After being 5’4” his whole life, all of a sudden being 6’2″ would be pretty shocking. It was probably the most noticeable thing for Steve at first, but after getting a serum that makes a superhuman , “bigger” wasn’t the expected answer, which is why this line is hilarious.
When he knew exactly what he was doing
“I knocked out Adolf Hitler more than 200 times.”
Campaigning as the face of the US military and pretending to punch Hitler wasn’t what Steve imagined he would do as Captain America. When he goes against orders to save Bucky, he reassures those he saves that he knows what he’s doing by saying this quote.
Steve’s campaign may not have given him any combat or leadership practice, but that doesn’t stop Steve from risking his life to save his friend and the other prisoners. Steve’s ability to stay positive and reassuring no matter how dire the situation is is something fans love about him. This quote shows Cap’s ability to be funny despite the circumstances.
When modern technology becomes too much for him
“I really miss the days when the weirdest thing science ever created was me.”
After Tony Stark’s peacekeeping program goes awry and his technological creation becomes determined to wipe out the human race, Steve delivers this line, expressing his displeasure with modern technology.
Steve grew up in a very different time to the rest of the Avengers, and his disdain and ignorance for modern technology is often the butt of jokes in the MCU. He’s been thrust into a world that has made many technological and scientific advancements since he entered the ice and he’s understandably struggling to catch up.
When he meets Groot
“I’m Steve Rogers.”
2018 Avengers: Infinity War brought together many fan-favorite heroes, united with a common enemy in mind. When Thor walks into Wakanda with Groot, Steve does the polite thing and introduces himself.
Aside from Steve obviously impersonating Groot when introducing himself, what makes this hilarious is the fact that it’s very much in Steve’s character. Steve is a nice guy and it’s true that he would take the time out of the biggest battle he’s ever encountered to introduce himself to a tree-dwelling creature.
When he scolds Tony
“Language!”
Captain America’s most iconic unintentionally hilarious quote comes from Avengers: Age of Ultron. During a battle near the start of the film, Tony Stark uses a swear word, and Cap blurts out the word.
Again, Steve grew up in a different time than the rest of the Avengers, so his susceptibility to swearing isn’t hard to believe, but it’s hilarious nonetheless. Although Cap is serious about his outburst, he instantly regrets it, knowing his fellow Avengers would never let him go. and he was right as the joke is brought up repeatedly throughout the rest of the film.
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