Hello CBMers!!!
From Batman and Superman: Public Enemies
Superman: "...was one of the good bad guys."
Batman: "Clark, what the hell is a 'good' bad guy?"
The antagonist. The bad guy. The villain. As they say, villains make the hero. As important to the comic book movie as its hero, there is also the great villain. The defining conflicting force to our hero that often leads to an epic showdown. Recently it seems that certain trends in regards to the villain's portrayal in comic book movies have begun to emerge. The first defining moment for the villain came with Tim Burton's 1989 Batman. Jack Nicholson's Joker garnered much of the film's focus and his portrayal was highly praised. From then, Batman films came to be defined by the villains and the actors who would don those roles. Although certainly this approach was shifted with Nolan's reboot of the franchise. It would seem that the old adage remains true even in film form; an intriguing villain makes a better hero, ultimately making a better film. With the recent expansion and increase of comic book films, there seems to be some similarities with the treatment to the antagonist. In some cases they're used to great effect, not so well in others. This editorial offers a look at some villain related elements within current CBMs. Certain aspects that seem rather specific and numerous in representation, with some examples to each and were we might see it in future releases.
1. The Misdirection
The misdirection or as some say "false face", applies to the villains that reveals themselves toward the finality of the plot. Oftentimes they have a representative or placeholder, while they make the moves behind the scenes as a greater threat. As well, they usually are someone close to the hero, and unlikely to appear as such a disreputable and powerful villain.
Examples:
Ras Al Ghul - Batman Begins
It first appeared as if the leader of the League of Shadows, Ras, perished in a fire. Not exactly, at it turns out the League's recruiter, Henri Ducard, was in fact the true bearer of the title, Ras Al Ghul. He also mines another one of these villain tropes, see #3.
Mandarin - Iron Man 3
This actually ended up being a double misdirection, as Mandarin was just a created figurehead. In videotaped threats, Mandarin appeared to be an exacting, evil leader to a terrorist group. Nope, just British actor Trevor Slattery essentially "playing" a role. Though it would turn out there is a leader to a terrorist group, Aldrich Killian who was basically his creation, the Mandarin.
Talia Ghul - The Dark Knight Rises
Ras' vengeful daughter came to Gotham City with plans to complete her father's destructive vision for the city. Part of her plan? Misdirection of course, she hid behind the guise of entrepreneur and board member, Miranda Tate.
Possible:
Alexander Pierce - Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Many seem to believe there is much more to this character than just SHIELD executive. Perhaps a villain in plain sight, who that is remains to be seen.
2. The Speaker
This one seems to be gaining in popularity as of late. This villain often comes with a unique speaking voice. There is something uncommon to their speech pattern, diction, and accent. More than anything, they often give grand and pompous monologues or lines of dialogue.
Examples:
Joker - The Dark Knight
This Joker had an odd silly yet chilling voice, which was prone to bombastic outbursts. As well, he had several differing stories to the origins of his scars, each one very disturbing.
Bane - The Dark Knight Rises
His voice was enhanced by his mask, that further highlighted an odd strangely theatrical accent. Was constantly giving speeches to citizens of Gotham, also monologued eloquently while beating Batman up.
Mandarin - Iron Man 3
The televised performance of Trevor Slattery featured some compelling and dangerous speeches. As well, despite his British accent, his Mandarin voice was chilling and intimidating.
Mr. Freeze - Batman and Robin
The actor's natural accent is just so unique, had to include him. He also constantly used cheesy cold based puns.
Possible:
Electro - The Amazing Spiderman 2
Based upon a few trailers it sound as if Electro will have an electrically manipulated voice.
3. The Mentor/Ally
This one is very popular, and often makes an appearance in a hero's origin tale. A unique spin to the old cliche of student becomes teacher, rather student must defeat their evil teacher. Sometimes this goes hand in hand with a misdirection villain, because the mentor keeps their true intentions hidden.
Examples:
Ras Al Ghul - Batman Begins
The man practically trained Bruce, and gave him the direction to focus his vigilante aspirations. Turned out to be the first great threat to Gotham Batman would face.
Loki - Thor
Loki was a complex figure, internally conflicted about how to define himself. Yet, in the beginning he was a supportive and caring brother to Thor. Shame he tried to lead an alien invasion through New York City.
Lizard - The Amazing Spiderman
Dr. Connors was an old colleague to Peter's father. Peter even helped the doctor make a breakthrough with his animal splicing project. Although the serum turned Dr. Connors into a lizard monster. Unfortunately, he then tried to use that same serum to change everybody to a lizard creature.
Obadiah Stane - Iron Man
Stane had worked with Stark's father, helping him build it onto what it became. In all likelihood, Stane became a business mentor for Stark, when Stark's parents met their untimely deaths. He worked alongside and appeared to be a strong supporter and ally to Stark within the company. However he was cold, calculating, and methodical; ready to do anything with no remorse to gain complete control of the company.
So, so many fall into this category.
Possible:
Guardians of the Galaxy
As this is an origin story, I can easily see the mentor/ally villain easily making some kind of appearance.
4. The Undervalued
Not every villain can be the big end game mastermind. Nope, sometimes they fill the need of help , hit man, or thug. Mostly they are defined by this, some become this despite the appearance of more.
X-Men Franchise
This series of films often times has complex antagonist who are reduced to one note caricatures.
Juggernaut, Sabertooth, Mystique, Phoenix, and more.
Bane - The Dark Knight Rises
After the misdirection villain was revealed, turned Bane into just a threatening pawn. Also in his other film appearance, Bane was just a dumb brute used as muscle.
Scarecrow - Batman Begins
Despite the potential to be a truly intimidating villain, Scarecrow mostly served as an assistant to Ras Al Ghul's greater plan. Scarecrow would continue to appear throughout the trilogy as a bit cameo character.
Deadpool - X-Men Origins: Wolverine
The epitome of the "super thug", Deadpool was created to be such a menace. They even gave him multiple super powers and took away his ability to speak.
Possible:
Days of Future Past
Without a doubt, I'm sure the X franchise will continue its "tradition" with characters like Toad and Quicksilver.
Rhino - The Amazing Spiderman 2
Rhino is almost certainly destined to be on the undervalued side, playing the muscle figure alongside the more fleshed out villains of Electro and Goblin Kid.
Side Note of Interest:
Another odd similarity, Lizard stole Magneto's big evil scheme. From a high point, Magneto was going to change the world's outlook on mutants; by changing people into mutants. For the Lizard's plot, just replace mutants with lizards in the prior sentence.
Who'd I miss? And what other traits or common elements have you noticed about CBM villains? Examples? Let me know in the comments...