Top 10 Movie Characters That Wouldn't Work Today
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
Eduardo
It would be better if the characters in Avatar were more accurate in aesthetics, I agree, but that is not the reason the movie failed at all. And now the problem of unaccuracy got far worse with race and gender swaps all around. A black Ana Bolena (a historical figure from the english XVI century) is far more weird than a caucasian Sokka for example.
The indian character in Johnny V movie is not a problem either. Some families keep accent generations beyond they imigrated, and that is totally normal. And if Emma Stone is acting as someone who do not resemble hawaiian in that movie you mentioned, what is the issue? Is real life the problem? Look, I see that some characters may sound offensive to some people, but there are people who get offended by almost everything and movies can not surrender to those people's claims.
Some other characters, like Holden (from Chasing Amy, are being criticized for their behavior. People fail, people do wrong, and movies represent all people, not only the ideal ones. Life is not perfect, and movies can show that instead of promoting safe spaces and ideological uthopia for twitter woke sjws. One of the reasons why movies are going so bad and old franchises are being destroyed is the need that Hollywood have nowadays to virtue signal all the time. It creates poor content with lack of creativity, predictable plots and ordinary characters with whom people do not relate at all.
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It would be better if the characters in Avatar were more accurate in aesthetics, I agree, but that is not the reason the movie failed at all. And now the problem of unaccuracy got far worse with race and gender swaps all around. A black Ana Bolena (a historical figure from the english XVI century) is far more weird than a caucasian Sokka for example.
The indian character in Johnny V movie is not a problem either. Some families keep accent generations beyond they imigrated, and that is totally normal. And if Emma Stone is acting as someone who do not resemble hawaiian in that movie you mentioned, what is the issue? Is real life the problem? Look, I see that some characters may sound offensive to some people, but there are people who get offended by almost everything and movies can not surrender to those people's claims.
Some other characters, like Holden (from Chasing Amy, are being criticized for their behavior. People fail, people do wrong, and movies represent all people, not only the ideal ones. Life is not perfect, and movies can show that instead of promoting safe spaces and ideological uthopia for twitter woke sjws. One of the reasons why movies are going so bad and old franchises are being destroyed is the need that Hollywood have nowadays to virtue signal all the time. It creates poor content with lack of creativity, predictable plots and ordinary characters with whom people do not relate at all.
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random
I'm surprised that anyone would not realize Henriksen's character in Scream is a combination attack on/sendup of the casting couch, Hollywood's open secret for decades to the degree that scarcely anyone can have not heard of it long ago. That was the whole point.
These things obvious at the time don't always seem to age well, though. It's as though the sarcasm of that time does not travel well even to a time as sarcastic as this one- somehow it's a different language to people of now.
Or perhaps it's expectations- there's always been idolization of Hollywood people and institutions, and a parallel disdain for its sordidness running alongside, but for decades most people were at a safe distance and didn't expect it to overly affect their lives. Somehow the corruption of the entertainment industry and the victimization of many who enter it looms much larger, and the details come out more.
Or sometimes it's even different interpretations of imagery presented for one apparent goal that now seems like quite another. Here Milton, or how that Star Trek episode from the 80s full of progressive post-colonial and antiracist tropes now looks racist as hell.
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I'm surprised that anyone would not realize Henriksen's character in Scream is a combination attack on/sendup of the casting couch, Hollywood's open secret for decades to the degree that scarcely anyone can have not heard of it long ago. That was the whole point.
These things obvious at the time don't always seem to age well, though. It's as though the sarcasm of that time does not travel well even to a time as sarcastic as this one- somehow it's a different language to people of now.
Or perhaps it's expectations- there's always been idolization of Hollywood people and institutions, and a parallel disdain for its sordidness running alongside, but for decades most people were at a safe distance and didn't expect it to overly affect their lives. Somehow the corruption of the entertainment industry and the victimization of many who enter it looms much larger, and the details come out more.
Or sometimes it's even different interpretations of imagery presented for one apparent goal that now seems like quite another. Here Milton, or how that Star Trek episode from the 80s full of progressive post-colonial and antiracist tropes now looks racist as hell.
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Sir
I don't know if I agree with some of these. The Scream 3 character was obviously a villain, with the other characters in the scene visually reacting (squirming, facial expressions) to his words in a way that broadcasted disgust and unease. The Chasing Amy character was wrong, and his arc ends with him accepting and acknowledging Amy's new relationship with a woman. In the American Pie movies, Stiffler is supposed to lampoon the very toxic behaviors that he displays and encourages; he is not presented as an admirable or even normal character. It seems like some of these characters, while offensive, are sort of intentionally offensive, a way to show viewers what not to do, and that, to me, is different from the movies in which characters' actions and stereotypical traits are not held up for scrutiny.
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I don't know if I agree with some of these. The Scream 3 character was obviously a villain, with the other characters in the scene visually reacting (squirming, facial expressions) to his words in a way that broadcasted disgust and unease. The Chasing Amy character was wrong, and his arc ends with him accepting and acknowledging Amy's new relationship with a woman. In the American Pie movies, Stiffler is supposed to lampoon the very toxic behaviors that he displays and encourages; he is not presented as an admirable or even normal character. It seems like some of these characters, while offensive, are sort of intentionally offensive, a way to show viewers what not to do, and that, to me, is different from the movies in which characters' actions and stereotypical traits are not held up for scrutiny.
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GaryCarter1956
What's that old saying? Life imitates art and art imitates life? Personally I would rather watch a movie that depicts things closer to reality than hiding it under the rug as if those sort of things didn't happen. Also, comedies are not fact but satire that takes it to extremes to try and make it funny. I laughed hard at the stiffmeister as well as Porky's, which wasn't on list but was similar. But I do not agree with typecasting certain races to be less than normal like Chinese or middle eastern, although I did not know Ben Jabituya was not Middle Eastern which really shows he was talented even if he was following a comedic script.
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What's that old saying? Life imitates art and art imitates life? Personally I would rather watch a movie that depicts things closer to reality than hiding it under the rug as if those sort of things didn't happen. Also, comedies are not fact but satire that takes it to extremes to try and make it funny. I laughed hard at the stiffmeister as well as Porky's, which wasn't on list but was similar. But I do not agree with typecasting certain races to be less than normal like Chinese or middle eastern, although I did not know Ben Jabituya was not Middle Eastern which really shows he was talented even if he was following a comedic script.
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Chill
You said in the video that Emma Stone was portraying a real life person who was 1/4 Chinese, and 1/4 Hawaiian who didn't resemble they're heritage. If she is playing a real life person she should resemble the real person, not your imagined perception of what the person SHOULD look like based on their heritage. So since she didn't look like her heritage, should the real person not claim that part of their heritage? Given the fact that I am Irish and Dutch, but I have no Dutch characteristics should I just claim to be Irish and not acknowledge my Dutch ancestry?
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You said in the video that Emma Stone was portraying a real life person who was 1/4 Chinese, and 1/4 Hawaiian who didn't resemble they're heritage. If she is playing a real life person she should resemble the real person, not your imagined perception of what the person SHOULD look like based on their heritage. So since she didn't look like her heritage, should the real person not claim that part of their heritage? Given the fact that I am Irish and Dutch, but I have no Dutch characteristics should I just claim to be Irish and not acknowledge my Dutch ancestry?
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Vers
If we are saying, that portrayal of a person of another race than the actual historical / described in the book person is wrong ie. Aloha, Airbender, . then why is it not treated uniformly across the board? I see more and more shows trying to introduce people of another race for portrayal of historical people ie. Jodie Turner-Smith portrayal of Anne Boleyn. Where does this come from?
Why is it needed to now swing the pendulum the other way, instead of learning from past mistakes and doing things correct and accurate now?
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If we are saying, that portrayal of a person of another race than the actual historical / described in the book person is wrong ie. Aloha, Airbender, . then why is it not treated uniformly across the board? I see more and more shows trying to introduce people of another race for portrayal of historical people ie. Jodie Turner-Smith portrayal of Anne Boleyn. Where does this come from?
Why is it needed to now swing the pendulum the other way, instead of learning from past mistakes and doing things correct and accurate now?
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Arne
Most of what MoJo posts present can be praised; but poor Hattie McDaniel endured far too much without your further blaming and misrepresenting! She did not solidify servility in black roles; it was rampant since the 1934 Hayes Code implementing - and thus the only type of role available to a heavyset black woman. The very clip you chose showed her as not a happy slave but speaking her mind in serious opposition to her Mistress. That her character would not 'resonate' today is zero per cent her fault.
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Most of what MoJo posts present can be praised; but poor Hattie McDaniel endured far too much without your further blaming and misrepresenting! She did not solidify servility in black roles; it was rampant since the 1934 Hayes Code implementing - and thus the only type of role available to a heavyset black woman. The very clip you chose showed her as not a happy slave but speaking her mind in serious opposition to her Mistress. That her character would not 'resonate' today is zero per cent her fault.
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Suzanne
I have to say I stopped listening after two minutes and 47 seconds. Youre gross ignorance as to what actors are and what they do has obviously been influenced by the cancel culture and culture appropriation Association of your ignorance. The whole point of being an actor is to take on the persona of somebody else, it is not the color of a person skin or the origin of which they are born that makes them eligible for the part, it is their ability to portray the character as it is written!
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I have to say I stopped listening after two minutes and 47 seconds. Youre gross ignorance as to what actors are and what they do has obviously been influenced by the cancel culture and culture appropriation Association of your ignorance. The whole point of being an actor is to take on the persona of somebody else, it is not the color of a person skin or the origin of which they are born that makes them eligible for the part, it is their ability to portray the character as it is written!
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LucyK
The Last Airbender was great if it didn't cut off abruptly. Even if you plan to do a trilogy you have to have a complete thought. I think we are too hard on some movies. Other countries don't strive to include traditionally American actors in their movies. I get it, but sometimes I think we are sensitive for other cultures that aren't ours. A lot of times they are not offended at all. When a competent actor of that nationality presents themselves they should certainly be sought after.
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The Last Airbender was great if it didn't cut off abruptly. Even if you plan to do a trilogy you have to have a complete thought. I think we are too hard on some movies. Other countries don't strive to include traditionally American actors in their movies. I get it, but sometimes I think we are sensitive for other cultures that aren't ours. A lot of times they are not offended at all. When a competent actor of that nationality presents themselves they should certainly be sought after.
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Lenusniq
I don't think John Milton from Scream 3 belongs here. He is CLEARLY the villain, the movie and other characters are disgusted by him, when he says that Maureen didn't want to play by the rules, it may mean that in fact she did NOT consent to whatever happened to her and in the end, he is killed. I think that he would belong on the list if the movie made it seem that what the powerful Hollywood movie producer did was right or at least justifiable.
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I don't think John Milton from Scream 3 belongs here. He is CLEARLY the villain, the movie and other characters are disgusted by him, when he says that Maureen didn't want to play by the rules, it may mean that in fact she did NOT consent to whatever happened to her and in the end, he is killed. I think that he would belong on the list if the movie made it seem that what the powerful Hollywood movie producer did was right or at least justifiable.
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Bethany
10: Sokka, Katara, & General Iron - The Last Airbender
9: Ben Jabituya - Short Circuit
8: Captain Allison Ng - Aloha
7: Holden McNeil - Chasing Amy
6: John Milton - Scream 3
5: Long Duk Dong - Sixteen Candles
4: Lewis Skolnick & Gilbert Lowe - Revenge of the Nerds
3: Steve Stifler - American Pie
2: Mammy - Gone With the Wind
1: I. Y. Yunioshi - Breakfast at Tiffany's
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10: Sokka, Katara, & General Iron - The Last Airbender
9: Ben Jabituya - Short Circuit
8: Captain Allison Ng - Aloha
7: Holden McNeil - Chasing Amy
6: John Milton - Scream 3
5: Long Duk Dong - Sixteen Candles
4: Lewis Skolnick & Gilbert Lowe - Revenge of the Nerds
3: Steve Stifler - American Pie
2: Mammy - Gone With the Wind
1: I. Y. Yunioshi - Breakfast at Tiffany's
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Eric
I would have also put Butterfly McQueen's Prissy alongside Mammy. (Hey, no reason two characters can't take up one slot on a list like this) While Prissy was a very different character from Mammy, she also played into a lot of prejudiced tropes, and the roles had similar effects on the portrayal of African-American characters for years.
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I would have also put Butterfly McQueen's Prissy alongside Mammy. (Hey, no reason two characters can't take up one slot on a list like this) While Prissy was a very different character from Mammy, she also played into a lot of prejudiced tropes, and the roles had similar effects on the portrayal of African-American characters for years.
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Pedro
The movie version of Sokka, Kathara and General Iroh didn't work at the time the movie was made either, they were poor version of the characters, regardless of the actors ethnicity.
The other characters mentioned were part of successful movies and, at the time considered funny, endearing or at least interesting.
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The movie version of Sokka, Kathara and General Iroh didn't work at the time the movie was made either, they were poor version of the characters, regardless of the actors ethnicity.
The other characters mentioned were part of successful movies and, at the time considered funny, endearing or at least interesting.
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Umair
I hate it when people get mad about casting an actor portraying person of other race, or a person with some condition which they don't have etc. I think the term acting means pretending to be someone else. That's their job. Do you really want everyone to just play themselves? Really. If yes, then how is it acting?
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I hate it when people get mad about casting an actor portraying person of other race, or a person with some condition which they don't have etc. I think the term acting means pretending to be someone else. That's their job. Do you really want everyone to just play themselves? Really. If yes, then how is it acting?
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Tell'emSteveDave
Scream 3 villainized that character and Chasing Amy is a critique of Holden's insecurities and an analysis of bi-phobia. Whoever wrote this probably didn't even watch it, she dumps his ass and gets with a woman at the end. It's not trying to glorify of support him. Please take media literacy classes.
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Scream 3 villainized that character and Chasing Amy is a critique of Holden's insecurities and an analysis of bi-phobia. Whoever wrote this probably didn't even watch it, she dumps his ass and gets with a woman at the end. It's not trying to glorify of support him. Please take media literacy classes.
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John
As far as the Ng goes, I have a buddy whose parents are both Japanese and he was born and raised on Puerto Rico. He has the accent of his home island and speaks fluent Spanish, Japanese and English. So odd looking at him when he speaks but he takes it all in stride and actually messed with people.
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As far as the Ng goes, I have a buddy whose parents are both Japanese and he was born and raised on Puerto Rico. He has the accent of his home island and speaks fluent Spanish, Japanese and English. So odd looking at him when he speaks but he takes it all in stride and actually messed with people.
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Jeremy
The Scream Character: That is kind of the point. he's a horrible person and that is the whole plot point. Of course, you could do that character now. It's not like they are praising him. That's like saying you can't have a character who kills people now because we only now know murder is wrong.
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The Scream Character: That is kind of the point. he's a horrible person and that is the whole plot point. Of course, you could do that character now. It's not like they are praising him. That's like saying you can't have a character who kills people now because we only now know murder is wrong.
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Dean
So the real life inspiration for Aloha's Alison Ng was not visibly Asian/Pacific Islander in her appearance despite having those ethnicities in her heritage. But for the sake of what? Wokeness? For the sake of Wokeness we will actually cast someone who doesn't look like her?
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So the real life inspiration for Aloha's Alison Ng was not visibly Asian/Pacific Islander in her appearance despite having those ethnicities in her heritage. But for the sake of what? Wokeness? For the sake of Wokeness we will actually cast someone who doesn't look like her?
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John
I disagree with the toxic masculinity comment in describing Stephen Stiffler from the American Pie series. Masculinity is NOT toxic; I am very comfortable in being masculine. Stiffler was reviled for being a jerk and a total a-hole, but not toxic masculinity.
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I disagree with the toxic masculinity comment in describing Stephen Stiffler from the American Pie series. Masculinity is NOT toxic; I am very comfortable in being masculine. Stiffler was reviled for being a jerk and a total a-hole, but not toxic masculinity.
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Nathaiel
While I don't agree with stereo typed characters and yellow face is a no, we must be careful to not get into the trap of ONLY an actor of that race can play a character of that race, it's acting and the role should go to the best after for the job.
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While I don't agree with stereo typed characters and yellow face is a no, we must be careful to not get into the trap of ONLY an actor of that race can play a character of that race, it's acting and the role should go to the best after for the job.
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E.
I have to take issue with Chasing Amy. Why is it wrong to portray a Straight guy chasing and winning a gay woman? It does happen in real life. But then again, no mention of a Gay woman chasing a straight woman and changing her mind? It does happen.
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I have to take issue with Chasing Amy. Why is it wrong to portray a Straight guy chasing and winning a gay woman? It does happen in real life. But then again, no mention of a Gay woman chasing a straight woman and changing her mind? It does happen.
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Jeffrey
I remember being deeply offended by the Rob Schneider character the Asian Minister in I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry. Not that this was a highly rated movie, but 14 years later I still remember the feeling I got after watching it once.
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I remember being deeply offended by the Rob Schneider character the Asian Minister in I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry. Not that this was a highly rated movie, but 14 years later I still remember the feeling I got after watching it once.
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Sexy
People nowadays keep bringing up what the nerds did but they still don't have a problem with the idea of bullying people who have different interests or who aren't good at sports. Even the word nerd was an insult at the time.
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People nowadays keep bringing up what the nerds did but they still don't have a problem with the idea of bullying people who have different interests or who aren't good at sports. Even the word nerd was an insult at the time.
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Krystal
I feel like John Milton is the perfect depiction of higher-ups in Hollywood! The character is absolutely horrendous but it's the truth and I think they did a wonderful job with it! More characters should be real.
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I feel like John Milton is the perfect depiction of higher-ups in Hollywood! The character is absolutely horrendous but it's the truth and I think they did a wonderful job with it! More characters should be real.
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Andra
Stifflers could still work as a counter-example pretty much like Cobra Kai's Johnny Lawrence cuz let's be real those guys still exist the others reaction to them is what has change and is interresting to see.
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Stifflers could still work as a counter-example pretty much like Cobra Kai's Johnny Lawrence cuz let's be real those guys still exist the others reaction to them is what has change and is interresting to see.
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David
But no one seems to be upset that Morgan Freeman played a Irishman in Shawshank! Reason-He was the best actor for the role but the same courtesy can't be extended to actors with paler skin tone. Weird!
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But no one seems to be upset that Morgan Freeman played a Irishman in Shawshank! Reason-He was the best actor for the role but the same courtesy can't be extended to actors with paler skin tone. Weird!
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Michael
Ain't revisionist history wonderful. 'I don't like whatever that happened 20 + years ago so I'll spit on it. Might as well get pissed off at the Romans for invading England. Ain't gonna change it.
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Ain't revisionist history wonderful. 'I don't like whatever that happened 20 + years ago so I'll spit on it. Might as well get pissed off at the Romans for invading England. Ain't gonna change it.
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Dan
How come white people aren't allowed to play even slightly mixed race people, but people of other ethnicities are allowed to play characters from stories that have always been white? Just asking.
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How come white people aren't allowed to play even slightly mixed race people, but people of other ethnicities are allowed to play characters from stories that have always been white? Just asking.
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Andrea
When MoNique won a best actress Oscar in 2010 she thanked Hattie McDaniels for enduring everything she did, in effect opening doors for later actors of color to find more meaningful roles.
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When MoNique won a best actress Oscar in 2010 she thanked Hattie McDaniels for enduring everything she did, in effect opening doors for later actors of color to find more meaningful roles.
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Anthony
Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell) - Soul Man
But I wonder if Rae Dawn Chong really did fall for his portrayal of a black man; because they were actually married in real life for a while.
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Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell) - Soul Man
But I wonder if Rae Dawn Chong really did fall for his portrayal of a black man; because they were actually married in real life for a while.
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