10 Movies That BRILLIANTLY Avoided Huge Cliches

Summary

This video script discusses 10 films that defy common movie clichés, offering unexpected twists and refreshing narratives. From 'Blade Runner 2049' subverting the 'chosen one' trope to 'No Country for Old Men' eschewing a final showdown, the script highlights films that challenge audience expectations. It also includes comedies like 'The Other Guys' mocking action movie clichés and 'Game Night' humorously addressing the unrealistic fragility of glass tables in fight scenes.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The script discusses how rare it is for a movie to surprise viewers after they've seen many films, due to the reliance on cliches and tropes.
• 🌟 'Blade Runner 2049' subverts expectations by revealing that the protagonist, K, is not the 'Chosen One' but can still make a significant impact through his actions.
• 🚓 In 'Collateral', the LAPD detective who seems poised to help the protagonist is unexpectedly killed, forcing the protagonist to take matters into his own hands.
• 💥 'The Other Guys' humorously critiques action movie cliches, such as characters walking away from explosions without harm, by showing realistic consequences.
• 🤔 'The Negotiator' plays with audience expectations by presenting a character who seems to be the villain but turns out to be just an impatient, aggressive cop.
• 💔 'The Last American Virgin' defies the typical romantic comedy trope by not ending with the protagonist getting the girl, leaving the audience with an unexpected downer ending.
• 👫 'Mrs. Doubtfire' breaks from the norm of divorce movies by showing the couple remaining divorced but on better terms, avoiding a cliched happy reunion.
• 🔪 'Blue Ruin' explores the reality of revenge, showing the protagonist's struggle and incompetence in carrying out his violent quest, contrasting with the typical 'competence porn' movies.
• 🏋️‍♂️ 'Game Night' humorously points out the unrealistic nature of action movie tropes, such as characters breaking glass tables during fights, by showing the tables remaining intact.
• 🦸‍♂️ In 'Watchmen', the villain's monologue is subverted by revealing that his plan has already been executed, leaving the heroes powerless to stop it.
• 🤠 'No Country for Old Men' concludes without a final showdown between the hero and the antagonist, with the antagonist escaping and the hero being killed off-screen unexpectedly.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script discussing?

The main theme of the video script is discussing 10 movies that brilliantly avoided common cliches and tropes, providing unexpected twists and subversions of expectations.

Why does the script mention 'Blade Runner 2049'?

'Blade Runner 2049' is mentioned as an example of a movie that subverts the expectation of the protagonist being a 'Chosen One' figure, by revealing that the character K is not the child of the previous protagonist and his love interest.

What unexpected event occurs in 'Collateral' that breaks the conventional hero's journey?

In 'Collateral', the unexpected event is the death of LAPD detective Fanning, who was built up to be the protagonist's ally, leaving the protagonist, Max, to save the day himself.

How does 'The Other Guys' differ from typical action movies in its portrayal of explosions?

'The Other Guys' differs by showing the realistic consequences of an explosion on the characters, with the protagonists feeling pain and injury instead of walking away unscathed as is common in many action films.

What role does David Morse play in 'The Negotiator', and how does it challenge audience expectations?

David Morse plays a hard-ass SWAT Commander in 'The Negotiator'. The role challenges audience expectations because, despite his usual portrayal of villains, he is not the secret antagonist but a misguided cop who believes in the guilt of the actual antagonist.

What makes the ending of 'The Last American Virgin' unexpected in the context of 80s sex comedies?

The unexpected ending of 'The Last American Virgin' is that the protagonist, Gary, does not end up with the girl he loves, Karen, despite being portrayed as a nice guy. Instead, Karen ends up with Rick, who had previously abandoned her.

How does 'Mrs. Doubtfire' defy the typical Hollywood ending for a movie centered around divorce?

'Mrs. Doubtfire' defies the typical Hollywood ending by showing the main characters, Miranda and Daniel, remaining divorced but on better terms, with no reconciliation, which was a conscious decision by the actors and director to send a more authentic message.

What is unique about the revenge in 'Blue Ruin' compared to traditional revenge movies?

In 'Blue Ruin', the revenge is portrayed as difficult and messy, with the protagonist suffering injuries and having to perform self-surgery, unlike traditional revenge movies where the protagonist is often portrayed as skilled and capable.

Why does 'Game Night' stand out in its depiction of action scenes involving glass tables?

'Game Night' stands out by humorously pointing out the unrealistic nature of glass tables breaking easily in action scenes, by showing characters thrown onto them without the tables breaking.

What makes the villain's monologue in 'Watchmen' different from the typical villain monologue?

The villain's monologue in 'Watchmen' is different because the villain, Ozymandias, reveals that he has already executed his plan and there is nothing the heroes can do to stop it, subverting the expectation of a last-minute hero intervention.

How does 'No Country for Old Men' conclude differently from the expected final showdown in a typical western?

'No Country for Old Men' concludes without a final showdown between the hero and the antagonist. Instead, the hero is killed off-screen, and the antagonist escapes, leaving the audience with an unexpected and unsettling ending.