The Obvious Disney Villain: A Dying Breed?

[Dartha Stewart]

While it's all good fun experiencing the big reveal of a surprise Disney villain "twist", is this trend of recent years beginning to edge out one of the signature features that made Disney animated films timeless to begin with? Granted, I too enjoy that "gotcha" moment when we realize we've been duped throughout the story...as that seemingly innocent character is actually the core villain in disguise. It makes for a fun / surprising first viewing of the film, and it makes you catch certain hints during subsequent viewings that subtly pointed in that direction, yet were so easily missed.

But with all that being said...are we getting too much of a good thing in recent films, and turning our backs on even a much better staple of Disney storytelling....the classic obvious villain? You know, those timeless, memorable characters who you know upon first sighting of the first trailer that they are the main big bad, and the only surprises that await are how well Disney pulls off their story & character development. (Which seldom ever disappointed). I am beginning to miss those types of bad guys (and gals), who, although may not provide that "wow" surprise moment like in recent years, were still able to give us some of the most memorable scenes & performances in animation.

The voodoo-endowed Dr. Facilier of 2009, and the Lady-Tremaine-esque Mother Gothel of 2010 were the last two "obvious" villains Disney has offered. The following years have given us a plethora of one surprise reveal after the next...which I'm not saying is a negative thing, and as mentioned before, I too have enjoyed the surprise twists. But I still say it is time Disney conjures another show-stopping, obvious villain who will be known well for doing wrong, way before the film's release. Those villains are fun, time-tested, and made Disney legendary.

I'll get off my soap box now. What are your thoughts? Are "surprise" villains the way of the future, or are we overdue another obvious Cruella or Capt. Hook to be introduced into Disney lore?

 

[5thGenTexan]

Villains are mean and nasty and negative and stuff. Apparently "we" can't handle mean, nasty and negative anymore lest there be a trigger. You just can't have movie goers traumatized that way. Not only that.... showing a villain could be seen as Disney "judging" and it would be better to just try to understand why a character might seem to be mean and nasty.

 

[CnoteBflat]

Well the last 2 movies were mysteries. BH6 had who is the masked villain and Zootopia was who is making the missing predator population go savage. So I think they'll return to the obvious villain when the story needs it.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Well the last 2 movies were mysteries. BH6 had who is the masked villain and Zootopia was who is making the missing predator population go savage. So I think they'll return to the obvious villain when the story needs it.

Frozen had a non obvious villain as well. I think they work for the plots of those films though.

 

[Dartha Stewart]

I think they work for the plots of those films though.

I agree the surprise / non-obvious villains do work well in their respected stories. The twist reveals have always been pulled off brilliantly.

It's just that I am beginning to miss (at least once in awhile) the obvious wicked queen, sorcerer, witch, you name it like in days of old. I also miss the timeless showstopping villain songs that we got to experience throughout so many animated films of the 90's era. Just hoping that every new animated film in the near future isn't "Guess The Baddie"...but rather, we get introduced to a new Jafar-esque or Maleficent-esque traditional villain every so often. Creating those types of memorable doers of evil is one of the many things Disney excels at.

 

[ShoalFox]

This was my only complaint for Zootopia, but it was so well done I can look past it. I do agree that there should be real villains again though.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Moana seems like it might have a real villain

 

[Sped2424]

Villains are mean and nasty and negative and stuff. Apparently "we" can't handle mean, nasty and negative anymore lest there be a trigger. You just can't have movie goers traumatized that way. Not only that.... showing a villain could be seen as Disney "judging" and it would be better to just try to understand why a character might seem to be mean and nasty.

A real villain isn't designated by how obvious their motives and intentions are. Each of the "twist" villains serve as a morale and a lesson to the audience it's not about avoiding "Triggering" material or whatever else nonsensical logic you want to put behind it. It's about how each of these characters serve the story. As far as I am concerned there are 3 twist villains, Hans, Yokai, and a certain someone in zootopia. King Kandy's nefariousness was well known throughout the film his real identity was a secret not his motives. Unlike the other three I mentioned. The phrasing you are looking for is a villain who is not a twist figure but an impassable object that is there from the start. That doesn't make them a "real villain". In fact some "real" villains are extremely weak in their execution in regards to the story. Either way it looks like Moana will be a return to the more obvious to the story villain. As for Disney villains I am tired of most of them, the new twist ones give a bit of depth to the intentions of some of the characters (Zootopia's, and Yokai). But for the most part I like my villains ghibli style, complex, deep, and ultimately flawed and very human in nature. The more Good people do bad things type of deal and bad people aren't so easy to simply classify.

 

[Dartha Stewart]

A real villain isn't designated by how obvious their motives and intentions are. Each of the "twist" villains serve as a morale and a lesson to the audience it's not about avoiding "Triggering" material or whatever else nonsensical logic you want to put behind it. It's about how each of these characters serve the story. As far as I am concerned there are 3 twist villains, Hans, Yokai, and a certain someone in zootopia. King Kandy's nefariousness was well known throughout the film his real identity was a secret not his motives. Unlike the other three I mentioned. The phrasing you are looking for is a villain who is not a twist figure but an impassable object that is there from the start. That doesn't make them a "real villain". In fact some "real" villains are extremely weak in their execution in regards to the story. Either way it looks like Moana will be a return to the more obvious to the story villain. As for Disney villains I am tired of most of them, the new twist ones give a bit of depth to the intentions of some of the characters (Zootopia's, and Yokai). But for the most part I like my villains ghibli style, complex, deep, and ultimately flawed and very human in nature. The more Good people do bad things type of deal and bad people aren't so easy to simply classify.

I just wish they would alternate off with the surprise villains, and the show stopping Cruella's or Scar's. There is nothing wrong with the recent trend, and you are right in that some of the most wicked people out there come across as the most innocent / harmless. Disney has done well with illustrating that message in recent films.

But it's been over half a decade since we got our last obvious villain (Mother Gothel), and I was beginning to worry those days of Disney creating classic villains were behind us. Not saying there shouldn't be more twist / subtle villains in the future....but like everything, moderation is key. Glad to hear Moana will be going back toward that route.

 

[Christian Fronckowiak]

I think, like everything else, it's all ebb and flow.

 

[Fox&Hound]

Hmmm interesting point. I agree- I love an iconic Disney villain. Ursula, Scar, Hades, Maleficent....Someone dripping with disdain for good. Here's hoping Moana can deliver a villain to root for and hate at the same time!