Doc Faustus |
10-03-2007 11:25 AM |
All of Sin City is about revenge, though. Carrie more of a coming-of-age story than either of the two categories, but I think it is very much a movie about revenge. A lot of horror classics are also about revenge, but I think still deserve a place on the list of great revenge movies. Remember a lot of horror comes from ghost and vampire stories, tales of revenants. Revenge movies are often about a living revenant, a figure that can do nothing but take revenge, that gets satisfaction from nothing but their malice. Batman is just a more contemporary revenant to match a culture that isn't as superstitious or fanatically religious. These movies are morality plays for a world that isn't obsessed with Hell so needs the punishments thereof to be acted out in a real world. To classify a movie as a great revenge story, look at the wrongs done, look at the sinner, and look at whether the punishments are organic, the avenger feels it and the situation leaves us understanding that this is the consequence of the transgression. Comedy revenge can fit in as well. They still show us people who mistreat people and end up getting the short end of the stick for it. That's what's important. Whether the avenger is Titus Andronicus or Jason Lee in Mall Rats is moot.
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