First, I'll just say I completely disagree with the poster that said you have to hate a villain. A villain, by definition, is a character at odds with the hero. Yes, it can also be a straightforward evil person but, with the latter, a truly, one-dimensional evil character, the movie becomes much less about the villain and more about the other characters affected by the villain's actions. A great villain, such as Loki, is a combination of evil AND good, even if it's just a smidgen of good or good that has turned sour. A great villain is tortured or has suffered and has an agenda or motivations that people can relate to on some level. Sometimes what makes a villain great is believing that they have a shot at redemption (even if, logically, we know that is never going to happen). Great external conflict begins with some serious internal conflict.
That said, I think the only one who currently gives Loki a run for his money is Magneto. They share a lot of similarities actually. Both incredibly acted. Both share a long-time bond with one of the heroes and that bond started as a positive one. Both are highly intelligent and have their own superhero abilities. Both have suffered some kind of trauma which becomes the impetus for the path they eventually choose (speaking as a non-comc book reader). One of my all-time favorite comic book movie scenes is from X-Men 2 when Prof. X visits Magneto in that plexiglass (or whatever it is) prison. Charles notes the bruises/burns on Eric's neck. Even after all they've been through, Charles is still concerned about the punishment doled out to Eric and Eric is still genuinely sorry that he revealed information about the mutant school as home for cerebro. That's good stuff. That's good hero/villain story-telling. It's much the same with Thor and Loki.
I guess if I had to pick right this second, I'd still say I prefer Magneto but much of that is due to my undying love for McKellan (and I'll add that Fassbender is off to a fantastic start as well). Hiddleston's Loki is right on his heels though.
Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle.
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el_Stakko
11 years ago
Kurtwood Smith as Clarence Boddicker in the original Robocop! Incredible villain .
I agree that Loki and Magneto are indeed the only memorable Marvel 'villains' so far.
My hopes are up for the winter soldier...there is potential I think.
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Generic_Gooner
11 years ago
Magneto though was as good as a banker for memorable villain in a marvel film, the fact they brought in two outstanding actors to bring him to life merely added to that.
The same deal applies to the joker, if handed to a competent actor its a banker so when someone comes in with a performance of a lifetime it simply elevates it to the next level.
In theory lex luthor should be a banker of a character, so should they cast him well (i feel spacey didnt do it justice, not just the film around him there im afraid) in a future MOS film it has the potential to join these sdort of characters mentioned.
Loki is a big deal villain but we have seen how they have been handled before, so for hiddleston and the writers to have launched him up there to a magneto standard.
I think the one good thing that came out of Wolverine (besides that epic lether jacket origin story ) was a credible and memorable portrayal of sabretooth. Shame it may never get a better vehicle for them two characters, but at least someone gave that character claws (pun intended).
Its not that I dont enjoy our little chats, Its just ... that I dont
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shfhsxxx
11 years ago
Magneto though was as good as a banker for memorable villain in a marvel film,
I am the only one that i see magneto as a tragic hero and not a villain?
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