(Originally posted on June 20, 2018)
Moments of transcendent triumph was the only way I could think to describe these instances. These are plot points in movies or television shows where there is a sudden (perhaps unexpected) and dramatic turn of fortune for the protagonists. Sometimes it is merely that a hopeless situation or fight is given hope. Moreover, I also mean that they are “played straight”. No funny line or comedy following it. It’s a scene that makes you want to stand up and yell “yeah!” like a little kid. Nothing but transcendent triumph.
Movies have shied away from these moments. I’m unsure why, other than they can sometimes come away as corny if implemented poorly. The MCU has these instances, but their power is undercut by a joke or subtle mockery. It’s as if superhero movies are afraid of being too heroic.
I simply adore these moments. They make my heart swell when they hit the right notes. They are, unfortunately, a somewhat rare phenomenon.
Let me give you a few examples. (Spoilers ahead, if you are concerned.)
Dark City
At the conclusion of Alex Proyas’s dark, noir science fiction story, the protagonist John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) has been captured by The Strangers (a group of malevolent aliens inhabiting human corpses.) Throughout the movie Murdoch (who has the same psychic powers as The Strangers) has been running from The Strangers. He has crudely and amateurishly been using his powers, but with no real skill.
Meanwhile Dr. Daniel P. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) has been trying to get John to inject himself with a “memory syringe” to “explain everything”. (The doctor has been rearranging memories at the behest of The Strangers. It’s a complicated movie–watch it.) John had taken the syringe and slipped it in his pocket, since he didn’t trust the doctor.
After John and the doctor are captured by The Strangers, the aliens plan to inject John with their collective memories in a wish to absorb humanity’s strengths. The doctor pulls a fast one and injects John with his syringe instead.
What follows is…well…The Strangers get a big surprise.
Love it.
Battleship
This is a flawed, but thoroughly enjoyable movie that I’m afraid doesn’t get enough love. I’ve talked about it before here.
The story is fairly straightforward. Invading aliens have taken over a section of the Pacific where a handful of cruisers are trapped by a force field. The navy battles the invaders in some contrived (but enjoyable) methods. Unfortunately, all of the cruisers have been shot out from underneath the seamen, and the aliens are about to call for reinforcements.
Then they spot the U.S.S. Missouri in drydock as a floating museum. A bunch of navy vets who manned the “Mighty Mo” are there as part of a ceremony, and…
A bit corny, but it works.
Thor: Ragnarok
This example is particularly ironic. Thor: Ragnarok is loaded with jokes, quips and general silliness. Tonally, it’s very close to Guardians of the Galaxy. So the moment of transcendent triumph somehow works even better when contrasted to the rest of the movie.
Thor, Loki, Valkyrie and their allies are trying to rescue the survivors of Asgard from Hela’s army of the dead and Fenris. Up till now, Hela has beat the living crap out of everyone who has faced her. She broke Mjolnir and has just blinded Thor in one eye.
At this point, she asks the wrong question…
Aliens
I think anyone who is the least bit of a fanboy knows this one. It’s the final fight with the Queen Alien onboard the Sulacco. The Queen stowed away on the shuttle, mangled Bishop and was about to snack on Newt when Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) gets her hands on an exoskeleton and…
The Matrix
How about when Neo (Keanu Reeves) finally decides to fight an agent…?
And so forth. I’m sure everyone has their own favorites and probably more than a few I’ve never heard of. I suppose what I’m wondering is why don’t we see more of these scenes. Or rather, more of these scenes done well. Does Hollywood think they’re too corny? Cliched? Trite?
I disagree. I love them and I believe the audience loves them too.
Give us more.
