Interesting choice. I prefer the sequels over it but I still enjoy this one.
Yeah, it seems to be that out of all the Cap films, this one isn't a lot of people's favourites (or maybe it is and it just
seems like it isn't? I don't know). Whenever I see people's lists of favourite MCU films, I can't say I've seen this one included very often. However, for me it is not only my favourite MCU 'origin' film, but it's also simply the one MCU film I've enjoyed the most (another possibly 'unpopular' opinion: my second favourite MCU film is the original
Thor).
I just really love everything about
Captain America: The First Avenger as a film (except maybe the ending, and that's mainly because it was purely set-up for
The Avengers. Like with
Thor, it felt to me as though the ending existed to serve another film rather than being its 'own' thing - but that's just a minor quibble). For me, CA: TFA is what an origin movie
should be like. I've mentioned this elsewhere, but it feels like it has a lot in common with
The Rocketeer (which I only just rewatched for the first time in a long time). It's no coincidence that both films have the same director, as I noticed quite a few things they have in common.
I figure that for some people, CA: TFA probably seems like it takes a while to 'get going', but for me I enjoy the set-up/build-up to Steve Rogers becoming Captain America. I really liked the character development for him. I'm never 'bored' during the film. It keeps me interested the whole way through.
It must also be noted that this film introduced Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter - for which I'll forever be grateful, as she's my favourite female character in the Marvel universe.
I've from watched this movie the most out of all of the MCU films and I don't think one has matched it for me since.