As a cinephile who’s seen more movies than I care to count, it’s always fascinating to observe the choices screenwriters make that, in retrospect, seem like less-than-optimal decisions. These moments, while often frustrating for audiences, can sometimes add an unexpected layer of depth to a character or plotline, making them more relatable and human.
In simpler terms, it’s frustrating when characters in movies slip up or make mistakes, even though everyone makes errors. It can be infuriating when our favorite characters do something that angers us more than anything the antagonist does. These moments where heroes unintentionally become the villains of their own stories are worth revisiting to understand this feeling.
Superman II (Clark Gives Up His Powers)
In the 1980s movie “Superman II”, Clark Kent (played by Christopher Reeve) thinks that living a normal life with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) is possible only if he becomes human. He manages to do this by entering a machine at the fortress of solitude. However, his joy is short-lived when General Zod (Terrence Stamp) and his accomplices seize control over the White House.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack Of The Clones (The Jedi Council Hires Anakin To Protect Padme)
In the second Star Wars film, arranged chronologically, it’s when Padmé Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) is under threat that the Jedi Council selects Anakin Skywalker, a trainee at the time, to serve as her protective escort. Unfortunately, they failed to anticipate his deep emotional bond with her, a connection that would eventually escalate into a prohibited romance and marriage in subsequent events. On the brighter side, this situation led to the birth of Luke and Leia in the following movie.
Inglourious Basterds (Lt. Hicox Flashes The American Three)
As a gamer, I can’t help but draw a parallel with my own gaming experiences from one of Quentin Tarantino’s masterpieces, 2009’s Inglourious Basterds. In a heart-pounding scene, Lt. Archie Hicox, played by Michael Fassbender, slips up and betrays his non-German identity to Major Hellstrom, all because he unknowingly held up the wrong fingers when asking for drinks at the bar. It’s a bit like mistiming a crucial button press in a game, and you wonder if the developers could have anticipated such an unexpected scenario!
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Tony Stark Creates Ultron)
Eager to design a “worldwide protective suit,” as Iron Man Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) collaborates with Bruce Banner, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), they embark on crafting an advanced computer program to ease their tasks. However, unbeknownst to him, this project would later morph into the antagonist of 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, voiced by James Spader, serving as another reminder of the potential perils in trusting artificial intelligence.
Scream (Sydney Runs Upstairs Away From Ghostface)
Moments following Sydney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) criticism of the cliché in slasher films where women flee upstairs from the killer, instead of exiting through the front door, she repeats the same action after Ghostface initially attacks her. Despite this minor flaw in her survival tactics, Sydney remains one of our beloved horror heroines, causing one to ponder how she persists for so long with such a questionable move on her part.
Prometheus (Meredith Vickers Runs From A Rolling Spacecraft In A Straight Line)
In 2012’s Ridley Scott-directed prequel to Alien, Prometheus, one of the most contentious sci-fi films ever produced, there’s an action by Meredith Vickers (played by Charlize Theron) that leaves many viewers puzzled. The perplexity arises when she doesn’t swiftly dodge or move aside from the incoming alien spaceship, choosing instead to keep running forward until it tragically crushes her. This seemingly illogical decision of hers is a conundrum that might never be fully explained.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (Drax Summons Ronan)
2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” film showcases an instance where Drax the Destroyer (played by Dave Bautista), after a few drinks, gains enough confidence to challenge Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) directly. Unfortunately, this decision ends up with him receiving a severe beating instead, allowing Ronan to escape with The Power Stone intact.
Shrek Forever After (Shrek Makes A Deal With Rumpelstiltskin)
If Shrek (Mike Myers) found love with Fiona (Cameron Diaz), it might have made him less cautious, which could have led to his unfortunate choice in the 2010 film Shrek Forever After. His longing for his swamp lifestyle may have influenced Shrek’s judgment when conversing with Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn), who managed to persuade him into wishing away his own existence in a world where Rumpelstiltskin is the ruler of Far Far Away.
Bee Movie (Barry Sues Humanity)
In a different phrasing, the animated film “Bee Movie” by writer Jerry Seinfeld features him as the voice actor for a character named Barry B. Benson, who’s an insect. Frustrated by humans exploiting their honey, Barry decides to take them to court. He wins the case and bees cease their labor for humanity’s benefit. However, this leads to a catastrophic environmental situation.
Avengers: Infinity War (Star-Lord Punches Thanos)
In Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Mantis hypnotized Thanos, allowing Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Spiderman (Tom Holland), and the rest of the Guardians to almost seize the Infinity Gauntlet from his grasp. However, when Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) discovered that Thanos had killed Gamora, he struck him in rage, shattering the trance and enabling Thanos to escape. This scene is often cited by some fans as a reason why they don’t consider it among the finest Marvel films.
The Descent (Juno Chooses An Unmapped Cave To Explore)
It’s debatable if Juno (Natalie Mendoza) from the 2005 film The Descent can be considered a hero, given her questionable actions in an otherwise excellent horror movie. It transpires that she decided to explore an uncharted cave for their caving expedition, which turns out to be a mistake as they become trapped within with carnivorous, night-dwelling mutants.
Hancock (Hancock Fights Mary)
In the movie “Hancock,” it’s shown that Will Smith’s title character, a superhuman, grows weaker over time when he’s in contact with Mary Embrey, played by Charlize Theron, who shares his kind. Despite this, there’s a massive battle between them towards the end of the 2008 superhero film that isn’t based on a comic book.
The Blair Witch Project (Mike Throws The Map In The River)
In “The Blair Witch Project,” it’s not surprising when horror movie characters make poor decisions, but when Mike (Michael C. Williams) throws away the map to the Black Hills Forest is inexcusable. He contends in the 1999 found footage thriller that the map was worthless, and he might have been correct. However, abandoning the only potential means of reaching safety is never a wise choice.
Skyfall (Q Connects Silva’s Computer To MI6’s Mainframe)
It’s wise to follow IT protocols before checking suspicious office equipment personally, as demonstrated by Q (Ben Whishaw) in the 2012 film Skyfall. In a more cautious world, the older version of Q might have avoided connecting Silva’s (Javier Bardem) laptop to MI6’s main system, thus preventing the villain from seizing control of their technology.
Army Of Darkness (Ash Speaks The Wrong Incantation)
In every “Evil Dead” film, Ash Williams played by Bruce Campbell appears progressively less intelligent. This reaches its peak in 1992’s “Army of Darkness,” where, instead of meticulously learning the words to return to contemporary times upon finding the Necronomicon, he tries to bluff his way through it, unfortunately releasing even more malevolent forces.
The Big Lebowski (Walter Destroys A Stranger’s Car)
It seems as if Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) suspected Larry Sellers, a teenager, had bought a flashy Corvette using ransom money. In a fit of presumption, he destroyed the car with a crowbar. However, it turned out the car actually belonged to Larry’s disgruntled neighbor. This hilarious yet poignant scene is from the acclaimed film The Big Lebowski (1990s). Yet, it leaves The Dude (Jeff Bridges) in a melancholic state, as he shares camaraderie with such an impulsive fool.
Jeepers Creepers (Darry Tries To See Into The Creeper’s Pipe)
In the movie Jeepers Creepers, Darry (Justin Long) watches the Creeper (Jonathan Breck) stuff corpses into a massive pipe jutting from the ground. Impulsive, he decides to inspect the pipe himself but accidentally falls straight into the monster’s lair. If only he had heeded his sister, Trish’s (Gina Philips), cautionary advice: “You remember that moment in horror films when someone does something incredibly foolish and everyone dislikes them for it? Well, this is exactly that.
The Flash (Batman Sacrifices Himself To Destroy Zod’s Ship)
In 2023’s The Flash, it was thrilling to see Michael Keaton reprise his role as Batman. However, a less impressive scene had him attempting to save the day by slamming the Batwing into Zod’s spaceship. Unfortunately, this daring maneuver did minimal harm to the vessel and ultimately led to the tragic demise of the Dark Knight due to the crash.
Moana (Maui Steals The Heart Of Te Fiti)
In the captivating opening of the 2016 Disney animated gem, Moana, I, as Maui, find myself in a pickle. You see, I, in a bid to help mankind, nabbed and lost the heart of Te Fiti – a mistake I’d overlooked until encountering the titular heroine (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho). The absence of this artifact left a trail of destruction across the breathtaking Hawaiian Islands and its people.
Jumanji (Peter Tries To Cheat The Game)
In the 1995 film based on Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book, Jumanji, Peter (played by Bradley Pierce) attempts to halt the game’s destructive influence by rolling the dice at the correct number to conclude it. Regrettably, the game anticipates his moves and retaliates for his attempt to outsmart it by reversing the course of evolution, transforming him into a monkey.
Iron Man 3 (Tony Stark Gives The Mandarin His Address)
A significant concern among fans of Iron Man 3 is Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) hasty choice to confront The Mandarin directly in a one-on-one battle, even revealing his home address on a video recorded by a journalist. This aggressive move certainly caught the attention of The Mandarin, as evidenced by the brutal attack on Stark’s residence, resulting in him having to abandon his location and ending up stranded in Tennessee.
Paranormal Activity (Micah Breaks Out A Ouija Board)
Among the most notorious romantic figures in horror movie lore, it’s hard to overlook Micah (Micah Sloat) from the 2009 film “Paranormal Activity.” An example of his questionable decision-making: despite a medium’s warning that using a Ouija board would worsen their already haunted situation, Micah not only brings one into their home but also unknowingly makes their haunting even more intense.
Sleeping Beauty (Flora And Merryweather Fight Over Aurora’s Dress Color)
1959’s “Sleeping Beauty” found me in a captivating scenario where Flora and Merryweather, my fairy protectors, were at odds over Aurora’s dress color. Flora insisted on pink while Merryweather was adamant about blue. Against all advice, they employed their magical skills to constantly alter the dress’ hue, unknowingly summoning Maleficient’s attention and placing Aurora in peril.
Evil Dead (Eric Reads From The Necronomicon)
Fede Alvarez’s film “Evil Dead” is often praised as a top-notch horror movie remake of its era, yet it’s far from perfect. In truth, the gruesome destruction takes place because Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci), with no apparent reason, reads out loud from the Necronomicon, disregarding clear warnings inscribed into the ancient, gory book, which advised him to keep his distance.
Deadpool (Wade Leaves His Ammo Bag Behind)
In the 2016 film Deadpool, the character played by Ryan Reynolds, known as the Merc with the Mouth, twice abandons a large bag packed with weapons that would have been advantageous against his enemies. However, he’s compelled to depend on “maximum effort”… and his immortality, naturally.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (Peter Gives Mysterio E.D.I.T.H.)
2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” sees Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, forming a strong bond with Quentin Beck, also known as Mysterio, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal. Trusting him implicitly, Parker grants complete authority over E.D.I.T.H., an advanced system developed by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) that combines reality with security, defense, and artificial tactical intelligence. However, this act of trust was manipulated by the vengeful ex-employee of Stark Industries, who intended to exploit E.D.I.T.H. for a destructive attack on London.
Annabelle Comes Home (Daniela Explores The Warrens’ Artifact Room Alone)
Regardless if you accept the legends depicted in the Conjuring Universe films, it’s safe to assume nobody desires to be found near where Ed and Lorraine Warren store their collection of cursed artifacts. Yet, Daniela (Katie Sarife), driven by her longing for her deceased father, ventures into the prohibited room only to inadvertently awaken the spirit that inhabits the title doll in Annabelle Comes Home.
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (Clark Fails To Properly Explain His Situation To Bruce)
As the climactic battle in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice approached, I found myself in a predicament, Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent taking an inordinate amount of time to reveal to Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne that Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor was holding his mother, Diane Lane, hostage. Instead, he acted exactly as the malevolent billionaire desired, engaging in a battle with the Dark Knight. In a last-ditch effort, just moments before Batman was about to end him with a Kryptonite spear, he cried out, “Save Martha,” rather than plainly stating, “Lex is going to kill my mom.
The Marvels (Carol Destroys The Supreme Intelligence)
In “The Marvels,” Captain Marvel, portrayed by Brie Larson, finds herself teaming up with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) when their powers intertwine. However, the hero who goes by Captain Marvel initially hesitates to involve her friends in the fight against Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), as she carries a personal burden; it was under her command that the enemy’s malicious motivation for vengeance originated, having instigated a conflict among the Kree when she destroyed their artificial intelligence leader.
Fantastic Four (Reed And Others Test Their Teleportation Device While Inebriated)
The 2015 version of Fantastic Four was broadly criticized for numerous reasons, one being an unwise choice that resulted in the four principal characters acquiring their superpowers. Under the influence of excessive alcohol, the creators of a revolutionary teleportation device opted to experiment with it themselves, altering their lives irrevocably.
Thor: Ragnarok (Loki Summons The Bifrost To Escape Hela)
In 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok”, during their encounter with their sibling, Hela (played by Cate Blanchett), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) attempted a hasty exit using the Bifrost. This move might have appeared wise initially, but it resulted in Hela pursuing them. Unbeknownst to them, this chase inadvertently led Hela straight to Asgard, leaving Thor and Loki stranded on Sakaar instead.
Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (Austin Keeps The Receipt For His Special Pump)
In the humorous spy flick “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”, the main character Austin Powers (played by Mike Myers) disputes ownership of a specific Swedish-made pump when gathering his belongings, which were stored after he was frozen cryogenically. But a credit card receipt and warranty paperwork for the item, along with a book detailing his personal experiences with it, found among his possessions, contradict his claim.
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2024-11-28 15:38