We need heroes. In today’s world, we often find ourselves in need of individuals who inspire us to be better and do better. Heroes come in many forms, from fictional characters in books and movies to real-life individuals who have made a significant impact on the world.
Heroes provide us with role models to look up to and strive to emulate. They inspire us to be more courageous, empathetic, and compassionate. They push us to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. They also remind us that we all have the potential to make a positive difference in the world.
The movie industry has always been fascinated with the idea of heroes and their heroic deeds. Hollywood has produced countless movies and TV shows featuring true heroes who save the day and fight for justice. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend in Hollywood that is actively seeking to destroy the hero.
One of the reasons to destroy the hero is to create more complex and “relatable” characters. In the past, heroes were often portrayed as flawless, invincible characters who always did the right thing. However, in today’s messy world, audiences crave more complex characters who have flaws and make mistakes. Further, by portraying heroes as corrupt or flawed, Hollywood, for better or worse, is making a statement about the current state of society and the need for change.
Another reason why Hollywood may be trying to destroy the hero is that it wants to challenge traditional gender and racial stereotypes. For many years, Hollywood has been criticized for its lack of diversity and representation. By creating characters that challenge traditional gender and racial stereotypes, Hollywood claims it is fostering more inclusive and diverse storylines that better reflect society.
In recent times, Hollywood has seen a trend of remaking classic characters from beloved movies. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are two that have received this unwelcome attention. Unfortunately, these remakes have portrayed our beloved movie heroes as flawed caricatures of themselves.
For instance, Indiana Jones is often shown with alcohol in various scenes throughout the first four films, but he only gets drunk once (when he thinks Marion has died). His use of alcohol seems to fit within the social norms and expectations of his era (the 1930s to 1950s), and he never shows signs of being a problem drinker.
However, in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, we see a present-day (1969) Indiana Jones, who is now a functioning alcoholic, putting alcohol into his morning coffee while in a state of depression. He is rarely seen without an alcoholic beverage in his hand. Furthermore, Indy is now a full-on “get off my lawn” elderly man who heads downstairs to complain about his young neighbors partying into the early morning hours.
It’s unfortunate that bringing Indy back into the fold required such a sad approach. It’s a bit much and doesn’t do justice to the character’s legacy. And let’s not even talk about the insufferable Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her “contributions” to this film.
Then there is Snow White, a classic tale that has stood the test of time and is now being remade with a modern retelling and a progressive twist on the narrative. Latino actress Rachel Zegler was cast in the title role, and has made numerous claims that the traditional story is outdated. She even went so far in interviews as to call the prince a “stalker.” In the traditional story, Snow White is often viewed as the hero of her story. She embodies kindness, gentleness, and innocence and overcomes adversity with the help of the seven dwarfs. Despite facing danger and challenges, Snow White stays true to herself and emerges victorious. In the current incarnation Zeigler claims that Snow White is effectively a strong independent boss babe queen who “don’t need no man” thank you very much.
Heroes are essential in today’s world. They provide us with role models, give us hope, help us connect with one another, give us purpose, and remind us of the importance of standing up for what we believe in. We need heroes to inspire us, challenge us, and push us to be our best selves. Despite what Hollywood would have us believe, the vast majority of our heroes don’t need to be rewritten, or change gender, or change race, to be relevant. Indeed, by forcing such changes through when no one asked for them, we are creating divides instead of breaking down barriers. Look for heroes all around you in daily life (you’ll find them), but for now, ignore what Hollywood is serving up.
