The incredible Anti-hero, that villianous charater that nine times out of ten, we hope to triumph over the forces of the justice. But why? What is our facination with cheering on the one person we arent supposed to? Is it that undeniable charm in breaking the laws of moral society and getting away with it? Is it showing the darker side of our own nature that we ourseleves could never show? or maybe , Dark Helmet said it best when he said "Evil will always triumph, because good is dumb."
Here, in my opinion, are Cinema's best Anti-hero's. I would like to see yours and know why they appeal to you so much.
Vin Disel- Richard B. Rittick ( Pitch Black) - The true essence of Evil with a slick, cool manner that could make James Bond turn green with envy. Powerful, enduring, seemingly indestructable. And holds it all with the composure of Cain from Kung-Fu
Mel Gibson- Porter (Pay Back) - Here is the type of person I think most of us guys would wish we were like. The kind of no nonsense, no excuses, take no bulls**t, and give no reasons for our behavior. A very take-charge kind of man, nothing can intimidate Porter and no obsticale is too big once he has set his mind on the task at hand. I think if every police force in the country had at least one Porter, there would be a hell of a lot less crime.
Avery Brooks- Hawk (Spencer For Hire)- Sure he is a hired gun, paid muscle, and basically a thug for hire. But no one on the business handles it with more class, suave, and intimidation than Hawk. Always with a witty line with a deadly calm and even then, if he has nothing to say, that hand cannon he has under his coat does the talking for him. Most of the time , i watched the show for him, rather than Robert Urich. And I still hold that opinion today.
This is where I whip out knowledge of a movie I have not seen yet, and say that Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca played the somewhat bad guy even as the protagonist of the movie.
Scottie
Bub is much more sympathetic than most of the humans.....most of whom get their just desserts.
I agree absolutely with Avery Brooks as Hawk. He was the only reason to watch the show, the tv movies, and he was cool in his own show a Man Called Hawk, which lasted approximately 5 minutes. Ernie Hudson is playing Hawk in the A&E tv movies now, he's good, but he's NOT Avery Brooks!
As for the ultimate Anti-hero...Robert Frickin' Mitchum! The king of Noir, the coolest man to ever kill Shelley Winters, got busted for smoking the heathen devil weed in '48...didn't give a damn, went back to work.
Anti-Hero Cred:
Jeff Bailey-Out of the Past
Rev. Powell- Night of the Hunter
Lucas Doolin-Thunder Road
Max Cady-Cape Fear
Eddie Coyle-The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Philip Marlowe-Farewell, My Lovely
And though he is most famous for the he-man hero roles, John Wayne played the anti-hero amazingly in Red River, The Searchers and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
Honorable Mention: Lee Marvin.
Post Edited (04-05-03 12:52)
Snake Pliskin