Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Motivational Movie Endings

I'd like to address one of the most inspirational, yet over used and formulaic occurrences we have seen at the movies. It happens at the climax of a movie when everyone gets involved (chanting, clapping, etc.) to help the underdog character overcome the opposition and achieve victory. I think I will name this occurrence so we can better identify it in the future. For now I will call these "buzzer beaters". I love many of the movies that employ this technique, but it looses its impact the more you see it. Here is a list of some of these movies:

Rudy- The crowd begins to chant his name in unison so the coaches will put him in the game so he can make the final big play.
Dead Poets Society- The entire class standing on chairs and saying "Oh captain, my captain" to show their respect to their teacher.
Strictly Ballroom- The dad claps after the judges pull the plug. Others slowly join in until the entire crowd is clapping the beat so they can finish their number.
Karate Kid 2- The scene when the villagers use their spin drums to give Danielson the strength and guidance he needs to defeat the bad guy.
Iron Will- As they approach the end of the race exhausted, the spectators at the finish line begin whistling the secret melody to make the dogs run fast enough to cross the finish.
On the Waterfront- The final scene as Terry Maloy confronts the union boss after being beaten and all the dock workers stand in solidarity and take a stand against the union leaders.
Cool Runnings-When the Jamaican team wipes out and they carrying their sled towards the finish line. One person starts with the strong, slow, deliberate clap and it catches on until the crowd erupts once they finally cross the finish line.
Spartacus- The slaves standing up one by one claiming to be Spartacus in order to protect him

I'm sure there are many more, so please send me your suggestions so I can add them to the list.

1 comment:

Tom said...

I just remembered a part of a movie called Only The Strong about Capeoira. The good guy is fighting the villain at the end and losing so his buddies start to sing some Brazilian folk song that gives him the energy to fight back and win.

Kind of like the tuba music in the wrestling movie Takedown.

 
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