With 2016 coming to a close I thought I'd close out the year with one final blog topic for 2016. And this topic focus on a character development cliche that I find irritating, only when it's misused. Villains with tragic backstories.
In every work of fiction, when a villain has a tragic backstory you'd also have this arc where they'd get magically redeemed following said tragic backstory. Most of the time the redemption comes out of the blue and the protagonist just up and forgets the horrible atrocities the villain committed just because the villain has it hard. I think Linkara said it best; there is a difference between having a sympathetic backstory and actually being sympathetic. I'm going to use two examples.
Malcolm Merlyn. This guy is the textbook example of incorporating sympathy through tragic backstory in a poor way. Ok we see the reasons why Malcolm did what he did but lets be honest here. Do you really think his wife would approve Malcolm's actions? Hell no! Then you have the fact that the guy brainwashed his daughter and turned her into an assassin. Then you top it off that he never gave up on his villain ways and yet the series would try to paint him in a sympathetic light. The problem with that is he has never done anything to warrant sympathy in the first place.
Another example is Astronima from Power Rangers In Space. At first she was the big bad but the series provided her gradual development and showcase that she's more than just Rita Jr. Then when her backstory starts getting established then that was when Astronima started coming out of her shell. Then the moment when her redemption arc starts it actually mattered because there was a gradual building process. And that moment when she became a Power Ranger in Lost Galaxy, that was a Holy Shit moment for me but in a good way. See the difference between this and Malcolm?
If you're going to use a tragic backstory as a way to establish a redemption arc for the villain then please don't rush it. Plant some seeds. Also have the villain earn his/her redemption.
And to those reading, may you have a Happy New Year!!
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Remembering Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia And The Impact She Made
There are really no words to describe how I felt when I found out about the news yesterday. When it really sunk in I just had to take a moment because out of all the celebrity deaths this one hit me the most.
Anyone who followed my Tribute Thread about Princess Leia would know how much of an impact that character has made to me. This character came at around the time when you don't really have that many strong female characters. Most of them were just one dimensional damsel in distress characters. But Princess Leia was more than that. She was the spark that caused Luke to go on his Hero's Journey. In fact she was what brought the Star Wars trio together. This lady led a freaking rebellion and won!
What I liked about Princes Leia was the message she brings. You can be beautiful and feminine and still be a strong person. She carried her own weight just as much as Han and Luke did.
Princess Leia inspired me on how female characters should be handled. They can be more than just sex bots, damsel in distress, or one note love interest. She was one of the most complex heroines I've ever seen.
Then you have Carrie Fisher herself. Who has went through so much and the way she has rebounded just makes her life inspiring to behold. This was a woman who spent her final years enjoying life. I think Harrison Ford said it best, she was one of a kind.
Anyone who followed my Tribute Thread about Princess Leia would know how much of an impact that character has made to me. This character came at around the time when you don't really have that many strong female characters. Most of them were just one dimensional damsel in distress characters. But Princess Leia was more than that. She was the spark that caused Luke to go on his Hero's Journey. In fact she was what brought the Star Wars trio together. This lady led a freaking rebellion and won!
What I liked about Princes Leia was the message she brings. You can be beautiful and feminine and still be a strong person. She carried her own weight just as much as Han and Luke did.
Princess Leia inspired me on how female characters should be handled. They can be more than just sex bots, damsel in distress, or one note love interest. She was one of the most complex heroines I've ever seen.
Then you have Carrie Fisher herself. Who has went through so much and the way she has rebounded just makes her life inspiring to behold. This was a woman who spent her final years enjoying life. I think Harrison Ford said it best, she was one of a kind.
Best Movie of 2016
It goes without question really. Deadpool was that hidden gem behind such a disappointing year for superhero movies. It helped that all the participants involved had treated the character with heart and respect that it deserved and the movie honestly felt like a Deadpool comic come to life.
I also liked the love story involving Wade and Vanessa. Vanessa managed to put a refreshing approach to the superhero girlfriend concept as she was likable and has a feisty demeanor to her. Her relationship with Wade was surprisingly sweet and never felt forced.
Deadpool was not only the best superhero film of the year I'd even say it's the best X-Men movie of the year.
Worst Movie of 2016
It goes without question that 2016 hasn't been a rather solid year as far as movies go. Some movies have been ok, others have had a hidden gem, then there are those that flat out suck.
Normally I'd do a top 5 list but my movie going experience this year was rather limited so I'm just going to narrow it down to one movie this year. So my worst movie of 2016 has got to be....
It has to take a special kind of superhero movie to be considered worse than Dawn of Justice. And those two movies, for me, was in a very close race but in the end The Killing Joke edges it out.
With Dawn of Justice I at least expected it to be a disappointment and the worst thing the movie had to offer was Eisenberg's Lex Luthor. But there were a few positives that kept it from being No.1.
With The Killing Joke...The fact that DC had to adapt a comic book that even Alan Moore wasn't too thrilled on should have been a sign right there. And that the movie was nothing more than some hack wanting to produce animated fan fiction involving his favorite ship that nobody wanted. And the tragedy of that whole mess was that it had the talent involved that could make The Killing Joke surprisingly enjoyable but instead it was a movie that took a colossal shit on both Batman and Batgirl. Its no wonder that WB had to bring Adam West out of retirement and do that 60's Batman homage to save face. And I consider that an improvement over The Killing Joke, regardless what the cynical fanbase may say. Because it was Adam West and Bert Ward reuniting as Batman & Robin.
The Killing Joke was bad business all around. And the tragedy of this is that this abomination makes me look forward to Season 3 of Young Justice. Because no matter how ridiculous YJ would get I can say that, at least it isn't as bad as The Killing Joke.
Normally I'd do a top 5 list but my movie going experience this year was rather limited so I'm just going to narrow it down to one movie this year. So my worst movie of 2016 has got to be....
It has to take a special kind of superhero movie to be considered worse than Dawn of Justice. And those two movies, for me, was in a very close race but in the end The Killing Joke edges it out.
With Dawn of Justice I at least expected it to be a disappointment and the worst thing the movie had to offer was Eisenberg's Lex Luthor. But there were a few positives that kept it from being No.1.
With The Killing Joke...The fact that DC had to adapt a comic book that even Alan Moore wasn't too thrilled on should have been a sign right there. And that the movie was nothing more than some hack wanting to produce animated fan fiction involving his favorite ship that nobody wanted. And the tragedy of that whole mess was that it had the talent involved that could make The Killing Joke surprisingly enjoyable but instead it was a movie that took a colossal shit on both Batman and Batgirl. Its no wonder that WB had to bring Adam West out of retirement and do that 60's Batman homage to save face. And I consider that an improvement over The Killing Joke, regardless what the cynical fanbase may say. Because it was Adam West and Bert Ward reuniting as Batman & Robin.
The Killing Joke was bad business all around. And the tragedy of this is that this abomination makes me look forward to Season 3 of Young Justice. Because no matter how ridiculous YJ would get I can say that, at least it isn't as bad as The Killing Joke.
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