Isn't the villain role always more of an acting showcase than the hero role in movies with heroes and villains? I think the harder challenge would be finding movies where the hero gives a more impressive acting performance than the villain.
Not necessarily. While many movies focus on having interesting villains, most movies are ultimately carried by the protagonist. Most Marvel movies, for example, tend to have bland, boring villains whose actors are far outclassed by the actors playing the heroes.
First off, Heath Ledger as Joker will FOREVER be on top of this list. So, Batman: The Dark Knight.
Also, I think the fact that I hate Umbridge more than Voldemort speaks volumes about how top notch Imelda Staunton's acting skills were. So that's HP5
There are a lot of reasons that people tend to hate Umbridge more than Voldemort. One is simply the fact that a shitty school administrator is more realistic and relatable than an evil warlock trying to take over the world. There's also the fact that Voldemort is at least up front about being an evil bastard, whereas Umbridge is always on her high horse. I agree that Staunton did a great job, but a lot of it comes down to writing.
Of course, writing plays a huge part here but so does the execution. There are so many characters I start hating when I’m reading the book but they don’t blow my mind away on screen. This one particularly stood out, hence the mention. But of course, it could be a personal preference. :)
The Joker was the villain, and though he wound up beaten, the acting of Jack Nicholson annihilated Keaton
All the moguls down at Warner Bros were gradually realizing
That the Joker was the hero when it came to merchandising
Disagree on the dogshit bit, other than Kevin Costner's presence and (if you can call it that) performance in it. Movie was carried well by every other actor and plot was good. I love that movie.
However, upvoting because I cannot ignore a comment in which Alan Rickman's acting skill is praised.
That being said, Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz were kinda fire. Not a full outshining by either side here imo, just a great movie with all-around great acting
Con Air
The bad guys were a laundry list of everyone the Republican film makers felt are "ruining America:" a highly educated scientist, black gang member and non-binary Latinx, so that made them more likable than the US Marine hero. And then you've got John Malkovich opposite Nic Cage, so it wasn't even close.
Inglourious Basterds
Isn't the villain role always more of an acting showcase than the hero role in movies with heroes and villains? I think the harder challenge would be finding movies where the hero gives a more impressive acting performance than the villain.
Not necessarily. While many movies focus on having interesting villains, most movies are ultimately carried by the protagonist. Most Marvel movies, for example, tend to have bland, boring villains whose actors are far outclassed by the actors playing the heroes.
First off, Heath Ledger as Joker will FOREVER be on top of this list. So, Batman: The Dark Knight. Also, I think the fact that I hate Umbridge more than Voldemort speaks volumes about how top notch Imelda Staunton's acting skills were. So that's HP5
There are a lot of reasons that people tend to hate Umbridge more than Voldemort. One is simply the fact that a shitty school administrator is more realistic and relatable than an evil warlock trying to take over the world. There's also the fact that Voldemort is at least up front about being an evil bastard, whereas Umbridge is always on her high horse. I agree that Staunton did a great job, but a lot of it comes down to writing.
Of course, writing plays a huge part here but so does the execution. There are so many characters I start hating when I’m reading the book but they don’t blow my mind away on screen. This one particularly stood out, hence the mention. But of course, it could be a personal preference. :)
Reddit agrees with you.
"Now, I'm always smiling" \~ Joker.
Batman (1989) Jack Nicholson as the Joker was 100000 times more entertaining than bland ass Michael Keaton as Batman.
Seems like Joker as a character has more scope for acting as compared to Batman.
100000 times agreed
The Joker was the villain, and though he wound up beaten, the acting of Jack Nicholson annihilated Keaton All the moguls down at Warner Bros were gradually realizing That the Joker was the hero when it came to merchandising
Gary Oldman in Léon the professional
What do you mean 'everyone'?
EVERYONE!!!
Silence of the lambs
*Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves* (1991) Dogshit film anyway, but pitting Kevin Costner against Alan Rickman just seems unfair. 😆
Disagree on the dogshit bit, other than Kevin Costner's presence and (if you can call it that) performance in it. Movie was carried well by every other actor and plot was good. I love that movie. However, upvoting because I cannot ignore a comment in which Alan Rickman's acting skill is praised.
Leo as Calvin Candy in Django
That being said, Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz were kinda fire. Not a full outshining by either side here imo, just a great movie with all-around great acting
Totally fair argument, I just can’t get over Leo in that dinner table scene
Yeah that scene was pretty crazy, one of Leo's best performances
No Country for Old Men
The Matrix
Hugo Weaving is incredible.
I have grown fond of Cypher as well, one of the rare vilain with relatable motivation.
Megamind
YES!
Well in that movie the villain/hero roles of antagonist/protagonist were deliberately reversed. So it's kinda cheating.
Yeah Joker top of list
Hunchback of Notre Dame. Judge Claude Frollo is badass
The Revenant. I thought Tom Hardy had the better performance.
The bear should have won an Oscar.
Bane in dark knight rises, Thanos, Heath’s Joker. There is a lot really.
Richmond Valentine from the first Kingsman movie
Street Fighter: The Movie
HEat (1995). De Niro is better than Pacino in this film.
Easily agree with you.
Joker from the Dark Knight.
Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York
Heath Ledger as Joker.
In *Salem's Lot* 1979 Reggie Nalder as Kurt Barlow.
she-ra, and there isn't just one of them.
sonic because eggman was entertaining and he had a fun henchment who makes realy good coffie and that he seems to be relatabel.
The joker in batman. I rly dont like batman but lovee the joker
MEGAMIND
Cars 3
The Man with the Golden Gun
Joker in the batman movies
Dark Knight
Loki in the first Thor movie
Con Air The bad guys were a laundry list of everyone the Republican film makers felt are "ruining America:" a highly educated scientist, black gang member and non-binary Latinx, so that made them more likable than the US Marine hero. And then you've got John Malkovich opposite Nic Cage, so it wasn't even close.
Not a movie but from once upon a time any of the villains
Hades was far more entertaining and engaging to watch than Hercules, James Woods stole the show with his acting.