28 | FALL 2023
the MIRROR
| ENTERTAINMENT | GRAPHIC FOR THE MIRROR | ANDREW DEL REAL
Villains don’t deserve their
bad reputations
MISUNDERSTOOD Fictional
villains get stereotyped far too often as bad guys, when in fact, many have admirable qualities and consciences.
BY ABIGAIL KIM
V
THE MIRROR STAFF
illains are the worst kind of people. They annihilate towns and wreck innocent lives. Always self-seeking, they backstab and manipulate to get what they want. They despise anything good, take drastic measures to thwart the hero’s success and concoct diabolical plans to fulfill their malicious goals. These are the defining characteristics of a villain, right? The classic formula for heroes and villains is flawed. Heroes are portrayed ideally, embodying justice, virtue and compassion. They never give up, vanquishing crime with perfectly executed punches and iconic outfits. As for villains, they’re always wrong. Or so you’d think. The line between good guys and bad guys is blurrier than it seems. Truthfully, villains have a bad reputation for acting purely out of evil intent. Although it may not seem obvious at times, there’s a decent side hiding beneath the surface of bad guys. In contrast to their typical portrayal in the media, villains can have a conscience. Joker, the iconic archenemy of Batman, is a perfect example of this. This sadistic prankster having a moral compass sounds like another one of the villain’s bad jokes, but Joker shows a conscience in “Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.” After emerging from the Lazarus Pit, the supervillain is consumed with guilt for his wrongdoing. Joker displays his capacity for good even
more in “Dark Knights: Metal” when a new villain, The Batman Who Laughs, rises in Gotham City. The Joker joins sides with Batman, and the archenemies vanquish the new threat, restoring safety among the citizens. A level of understanding and patience is required for someone to work with their worst enemy. On top of having a conscience, bad guys can have respectable qualities. Including Voldemort in this category sounds absurd, but He-WhoMust-Not-Be-Named must be mentioned for his courage and desire for order. In the Harry Potter series, Voldemort is the infamous wizard of the magical world, widely feared for his merciless use of the Dark Arts. He is a Pureblood supremacist, believing only those of pure magical descent are entitled to learn wizardry. Despite having an ordinary human parent himself, Voldemort despises the “tainted blood” of half-blood wizards. This twisted worldview is Voldemort’s method of achieving order in a system he believes to be incorrect. Voldemort also has the bravery to spark change, daring to fix the magical world according to his values. Changing the world for what they perceive to be the greater good is what heroes are all about. Voldemort’s
perspectives are misguided, but his courage and mission to restore harmony are not far off from the average hero. An unsettling squid with blood-red lipstick and a tight black dress, Ursula is the evil sea witch of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” But she’s not the depraved trickster Disney portrays her to be. When Ariel, the young, naive protagonist, strikes a deal with Ursula, she willingly gives up her voice to become a human. If Ariel fails to make the handsome Prince Eric kiss her within three days, her soul belongs to Ursula forever. The sea witch is often seen as the obstacle standing in the way of Ariel’s happiness with Eric. However, rather than terrorizing Ariel out of evil intent, Ursula only wishes to see her end of the bargain honored, though the young wishy-washy mermaid tries to back out of the agreement. Morally speaking, between the two, Ursula was more upstanding in abiding by the terms of their deal. Disney has a history of shedding negative light on their villains. Alongside Ursula, Cinderella’s stepmother, Lady Tremaine, is unjustly portrayed as a cruel widow full of hate and envy.
Lady Tremaine reveals that villains can act out of love. The stepmother has two daughters, Drizella and Anastasia, Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters with even uglier personalities. The sisters exude vanity and self-righteousness, a sharp contrast to the radiant, gentle Cinderella. To Lady Tremaine, Cinderella’s beauty and kindness threaten the marital happiness of her daughters. Out of parental love, she tries to minimize Cinderella’s loveliness by forcing her into domestic labor and prohibiting her from meeting the handsome Prince Charming. Lady Tremaine’s admittedly questionable efforts ultimately backfire, but we can understand the concern of a mother for her daughters. We can never condone harming innocent lives or laughing maniacally as cities are blown up, but the true nature of a villain goes beyond their unfair treatment of the hero. The bad guys are never as malicious as they seem. When you encounter your next villain, stop to consider their side of the conflict. Even when coming across a difficult person, turn their struggles and experiences over in your mind before you judge them. Perspective matters, and villains demonstrate that there’s always more than meets the eye.
The Oscars’ diversity rules pit merit against equity By Adrianna Bean
T
THE MIRROR STAFF
he Oscars are a momentous occasion, filled with predictions, thematic parties and extravagant red carpet looks. Tearridden, time limit-testing speeches are broadcasted to the world as an artist’s career is forever changed. However, some choose not to watch them because they believe the selection of nominees and films are not diverse enough. Following continuous backlash from many on the internet, the Academy of Motion Pictures released a set of representation and inclusion standards for filmmakers in 2020. The new rules regarding diversity and inclusion will be instituted for the Oscars 2024. This has left some people angry and frustrated, while others are shocked it took so long. Films must meet at least two
out of the four sets of criteria order for the film to be eligible for a Best Picture nomination. These requirements span a vast list of criteria surrounding inclusion in front of and behind the camera. This entails the inclusion when it comes to casting main characters, developing storylines and providing access to internships, training or work experience opportunities. The list also features inclusion when hiring executives in creative development, marketing or publicity. These fields must include a certain number of people from under-represented groups such as women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, various racial identities and people with mental or physical disabilities. Many projects already unintentionally fill the requirements. Oscar buzz can bring an increase in sales during nominations, and winning Best Picture is even better
THE MIRROR | STAFF
CONTROVERSY The push to diversify the Oscars has split the entertainment industry.
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Others claim that meritocracy is constantly pushing minorities down, and that it is necessary to lift these groups of people up.
for marketing. These new rules may encourage writers and producers of all diverse groups to tell their stories, knowing that their projects will be
seen and heard. Scott Young, a retired former Filmmaker Liaison Senior Rater for CARA (Classification and Ratings Administration) at the MPA (Motion Pictures Association), looks forward to seeing the stories out there waiting to be discovered. “In over 30 years of screening approximately over some 20,000 plus films, I saw a lot of folks that looked like me, directors that looked like me and producers that looked like me,” Young said. “The Academy is trying to make amends, right a wrong. Personally, I feel anything to advance a more diverse, a more realistic view of the multicultural world we live in, in the movies we watch, the businesses we run, the art we enjoy and the sports we play, I say ‘Right on!’ As a child of the 60s, raised in a very segregated community in
Southern Ohio, I say it’s about time.” However, some believe that diversity has to happen naturally, and that by including minorities only to fill a diversity requirement, there is a chance that characters will become forced and lifeless. Many claim that pushing toward equity unfairly favors chosen groups without a reason other than an unchangeable factor of their being. Others claim that meritocracy is impossible in a place that is constantly pushing minorities down, and that it is necessary to lift these groups of people up. The overall acceptance of these standards marks a change in popular thought, and a general trajectory towards a society that favors inclusion. But despite the positive intentions, this criteria comes with obvious drawbacks. However, one thing is for sure: for now, if you want Best Picture, these are the rules.
