The Megahit Movies

by Richard Stefanik

  It is not necessary to keep the obstacles within a realistic perspective. Actually, in many of the most successful films, the opposite is the case. In many films impossible situations prevent the protagonist from obtaining his objective. As long as the film is emotionally absorbing, the audience “suspends its beliefs” as they become emotionally engrossed in the story. In these films, the protagonist must discover ingenuous and unexpected ways to overcome the obstacles in order to achieve the objectives.

  JEOPARDY Jeopardy “is anticipated pain or loss. When a character is threatened with something bad, the audience automatically focuses its attention on him. The more helpless the character, and the more terrible the danger, the more importance the audience will attach to the character. That is why children in danger are such powerful characters.”

  —Orson Scott Card, Character and Viewpoint

  “The stronger the tension is, the more the reader concentrates on finding out what happens next, the more attention he pays, the more intensely he feels all the emotions of the tale.”

  —Orson Scott Card, Character and Viewpoint

  When constructing conflict in a scene, using just any obstacle is not sufficient to create excitement. It must be an obstacle that creates jeopardy for the character in the scene. A character is in jeopardy when he is placed in danger. There must be a high probability he will be physically or emotionally harmed by the obstacle or, that in some way, the obstacle will cause him pain or loss.

  The opening sequence of Raiders of the Lost Ark demonstrates the relationship between obstacles, jeopardy and excitement. Below is a list of the jeopardy producing situations in the opening sequence:

  1. The protagonist, Indiana Jones, with his back to the camera, stares at a large mountain in front of him. This appears to be an obstacle that he must overcome.

  2. The sound of wild animals creates the threat of attack by jungle beasts. 3. The jungle itself is a dense environment that creates obstacles for Jones. He must assert a great amount of energy to make his way through the underbrush.

  4. A native guide screams in terror when he unexpectedly uncovers a terrifying headstone.

  5. Jones’ party must cross a stream without the use of a bridge, a dangerous situation because someone could slip and fall against the rocks. 6. Jones finds a poison arrow in a tree. His guides state that they are being pursued by natives who will kill them if given the chance.

  7. The party has to climb over large tree trunks in order to make their way forward.

  8. While Jones is trying to decipher a map, one of the guides pulls out a gun with the intent to kill Jones.

  9. Jones uses a bullwhip to disarm the killer. The gun falls to the ground and discharges.

  10. Jones climbs up a steep, rocky hill from which he could fall.

  11. Jones walks through hanging vines as he makes his way to a dark cave.

  12. At the cave entrance, Jones states that Forrestal died there and “he was good.” The guide says that no one has come out of the cave alive.

  13. Jones and the guide walk into a dark cave that may contain unknown dangers.

  14. Jones cuts an entrance through a giant spider web.

  15. Poisonous spiders crawl onto the backs of Jones and the guide. 16. Forrestal’s skeleton comes out from the wall when Jones passes his hand through the light entrance. This demonstrates that death is a real possibility.

  17. They must swing across a deep pit. Jones saves the life of his guide, who almost falls into the pit.

  18. The tree limb is weak and gives way as they swing across. This sets up an obstacle for their exit. 19. The guide’s belief that there is nothing left to worry about concerns Jones. Jones hits the rock slab with his torch. An arrow strikes the torch, almost killing Jones.

  20. They realize that all the stone slabs are death traps. 21. Jones must figure out how to remove the idol without activating a security mechanism.

  22. Jones retrieves the idol by replacing it with a bag of sand, but the platform sinks and activates the destructive mechanisms.

  23. The walls of the cave collapse.

  24. Falling rocks and boulders endanger Jones.

  25. Arrows shoot out from the wall as Jones runs for safety.

  26. The guide swings across the pit, then the whip falls off the branch.

  27. The guide negotiates for the possession of the whip. He wants the idol. Time is lost.

  28. A stonewall is slowly closing the escape exit.

  29. Jones must choose between the idol and his life. Jones throws the idol to the guide.

  30. The native betrays Jones and drops the whip.

  31. Jones dives across the pit and clings on to the ledge.

  32. Jones clutches a branch and tries to pull himself up. The branch slips, and Jones almost falls into the pit.

  33. The stonewall continues to move downward to close the exit.

  34. Jones finally pulls himself up, quickly rolls under the rock slab, and retrieves his hat just as the rock slams against the ground.

  35. Jones bumps into the dead guide who had betrayed him, then retrieves the idol.

  36. A giant boulder rolls down toward Jones.

  37. Jones runs for his life. He trips, falls to one knee, then gets up to run again.

  38. Jones runs through the spider webs with the giant boulder at his heels.

  39. Jones dives through the entrance just as the boulder slams against the entrance walls, closing it forever.

  40. Jones is surrounded by armed natives who threaten him with spears.

  41. The first guide, who tried to shoot Jones, falls face forward to the ground with arrows in his back. Jones knows the natives will also kill him.

  42. Belloc takes the idol from Jones.

  43. Jones hands his gun to Belloc. He is now disarmed in a dangerous situation.

  44. Jones can’t speak to the natives. This is an obstacle that prevents him from warning them about Belloc.

  45. As Belloc raises the idol, the natives fall to their knees. Jones runs for his life.

  46. Belloc signals the natives to cut Jones’ throat. Belloc laughs at Jones’ desperation.

  47. Jones runs through a dense forest. The natives run after him. The odds against his surviving are overwhelming.

  48. Jones must run across a large open field to escape the chasing natives.

  49. Jones must swim across a river to reach the plane.

  50. Jones grabs a vine and swings out into the river.

  51. As Jones swims, the natives throw spears and blow darts at him.

  52. Jones climbs onto the plane as it takes off.

  53. A snake climbs into Jones’ lap.

  54. Jones screams in terror and says that he hates snakes.

  55. Jock, the pilot, mocks Jones and tells him to “have a little backbone.” The humor at the end of the scene helps the audience to release the tension generated by all the obstacles and jeopardy in the opening sequence. The humor is generated by Jock’s statement. It is inappropriate and a complete misrepresentation of Jones’ character as experienced by the audience. Because of this, the audience laughs.

  SELF-CONFLICTS Self-conflicts generate obstacles whenever beliefs or values that the protagonist holds interfere with his ability to obtain his goal or interact with other characters. He then must decide whether to hold onto these values and lose his objective, to give up his principles, or in some way, obtain his goal while still keeping his values. Self-conflict can also arise when a character is forced to choose between two incompatible objectives, both of which are important to him. They can also be a result of the character losing confidence in himself or his abilities.

  Titanic

  Rose denies that she does not love Cal when questioned by Jack. She does not want to admit to herself that she intends to marry a man that she does not love.

  Star Wars

  Luke lacks confidence in the “force” and his ability to be a Jedi Knight. Phantom Menace

  Anakin must decide to eith
er stay with his mother or leave to become a Jedi Knight.

  E.T.

  E.T. must overcome his inability to communicate with his new friend, Elliott.

  Jurassic Park

  None of the characters in this movie appear to have a self-conflict. Lion King

  Simba loses confidence in his ability to be king because he believes he caused his father’s death. He must overcome his false sense of guilt.

  Return of the Jedi

  Luke must decide whether to use the force for good or join his father and the dark side of the force.

  Batman

  Bruce Wayne must overcome his fear of telling Vicki Vale the truth about being Batman. Without this, he will never have the complete intimacy that he desires.

  Home Alone

  Kevin must overcome his self-doubts about being able to survive alone. Forrest Gump

  Forrest doesn’t have any self-conflicts. Like the feather, he goes with the flow of life, while maintaining a simple decency and a simple moral point of view.

  Jaws

  Capt. Brody must overcome his fear of water and boats in order to join Quint to hunt the shark.

  Independence Day

  Russell Casse is in torment because, whenever he tells people that he was abducted and sexually abused by aliens, they laugh at him. So he becomes an alcoholic.

  Men in Black

  K is in torment over whether he should continue to be a MIB, or whether he should erase his memories and return to the woman he loved so long ago.

  Sixth Sense

  Cole Sears doesn’t want to tell Dr. Malcolm Crowe that he sees dead people because he does not think he will be believed.

  Empire Strikes Back

  Luke has the self-conflict of not believing that he has the ability to use the force to lift his spaceship from the swamp.

  The Grinch

  The Grinch argues with himself over whether he should accept the invitation from Cindy Lou Who to become the Cheermeister or whether to continue hating the Whos.

  The Wizard of Oz

  Dorothy lacks the confidence that she can solve her own problems. Shrek

  Donkey feels that he cannot tell Shrek the truth about Fiona. Shrek feels that he cannot tell Fiona he loves her because she will reject him as being too ugly. Fiona feels she cannot tell Shrek that she gets ugly at night because he will reject her.

  Spider-Man

  Peter feels that he cannot tell MJ he loves her because it will place her life in danger.

  Finding Nemo

  Marlin is afraid to let Nemo roam free.

  Monsters Inc

  Sully is torn between keeping Boo and returning her to her home. Bruce Almighty

  Bruce will not admit that his obsession with success is the cause of his problems.

  Matrix Trilogy

  Neo does not believe that he is the ONE. Pirates of the Caribbean

  Will cannot accept that his father was a pirate. He believes he cannot love Liz since he is only a blacksmith.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone

  Harry must decide between having his parents brought back to life or preventing Voldmort from having the sorcerer’s stone.

  Lord of the Rings Trilogy Frodo will not destroy the Ring.

  ENEMIES Enemies are created when two characters both desire an objective (or object) that is unique and can be attained by only one of them. If they are unwilling to share and compromise, conflict is generated as they fight for sole possession of the objective (or object). This is the situation that faces the protagonist and the antagonist in the megahit movies.

  Physical violence is characteristic of this relationship, since neither the protagonist nor the antagonist cares for the other and sees the other as nothing more than a physical obstacle to the primary objective. Usually this conflict ends with the death and destruction of the antagonist unless he is saved for the sequel (i.e., Darth Vader in Star Wars).

  Titanic

  Cal becomes the enemy of both Rose and Jack. He tries to shoot them as the Titanic sinks.

  Star Wars

  The Rebels and the Empire fight for possession of the plans for the Death Star, the ultimate power in the universe. Luke and Han Solo fight Darth Vader for possession of Princess Leia.

  Phantom Menace

  Darth Sidious, Darth Maul and members of the Trade Federation are the enemies of the other characters in this movie. They want control of the planet, Naboo.

  Forrest Gump

  When he is young, Forrest must run from the boys who chase him. He must also run from the enemy in Vietnam.

  E.T.

  Elliott and his friends battle the faceless government agents in order to help E.T. return home.

  Jurassic Park

  The Raptors are the enemies of the humans in Jurassic Park.

  The Lion King

  Simba and Scar fight for control of the Pride Lands. Return of the Jedi

  Luke must fight the Emperor who wants to control his powers and use him for the Empire.

  Batman

  Batman fights the Joker for control of Gotham. The Joker covets the social status and recognition that the community of Gotham is giving to Batman. If he can’t have their love, then the Joker will have their fear and respect. Batman and the Joker fight for possession of Vicki Vale.

  Home Alone

  Kevin fights the burglars to prevent them from robbing his home.

  Jaws

  The Great White Shark is the enemy of all the humans in the story. Independence Day

  The Aliens are determined to exterminate the human race. They are the enemies of all the protagonists.

  Men in Black

  Aliens are determined to destroy the planet Earth unless they are given “the Galaxy on Orion’s Belt.” The Edgar-Bug wants the power from “the Galaxy on Orion’s Belt” and will kill anyone who gets in his way.

  Sixth Sense

  Dr. Malcolm Crowe believes that Cole Sears will have to be institutionalized unless he can help him stop seeing dead people. Dead people are the “enemies” who terrorize Cole Sears.

  Empire Strikes Back

  Luke and the rebels fight the Imperial Forces on the ice planet, Hoth. The Grinch

  The Grinch is the enemy of the Whos, and the Mayor is the enemy of the Grinch. Both the Mayor and the Grinch want to be the Cheermeister and win the love of Martha May Whovier.

  The Wizard of Oz

  Dorothy and Elmira Gulch fight for possession of Toto. Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West fight for possession of the Ruby Slippers. The Ruby Slippers represents the ultimate source of power in Oz.

  Shrek

  Lord Farquaard wants to marry Fiona, the woman Shrek loves.

  Spider-Man

  The Green-Goblin wants to terrorize and rule the city.

  Finding Nemo

  The Dentist and Darla are the enemies of Marlin and Nemo.

  Monsters, Inc.

  Randall is the enemy of Sulley and Mike.

  Bruce Almighty

  Evan is Bruce’s rival for the TV Anchorman position.

  Matrix Trilogy

  The Agent Smiths and the Machines are Neo’s enemies.

  Pirates of the Caribbean Barbossa is the enemy of all.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone

  Voldemort and the Slytherin’s are Harry’s enemies. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  The Dark Lord Sauron and his minions are the enemies of the Fellowship and the people of Middle Earth.

  RELATIVES “...when the tragic incident occurs between those who are near or dear to one another—if, for example, a brother intends to kill a brother, a son his father, a mother her son, a son his mother, or any other deed of this kind is done—these are the situations to be looked for by the poet.” —Aristotle: Poetics

  Emotionally gripping conflict often occurs between the protagonist and a member of his family: his father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, or child. If one of these characters produces obstacles for the protagonist, then the c
onflict becomes emotionally intense for the audience. This is because these primal relationships are expected to be loving and supportive, not conflict generating.

  Titanic

  Rose’s mother wants her to stop seeing Jack because she needs Cal’s money for the family to survive.

  Star Wars

  Luke fights with his aunt and uncle over his desire to leave the farm and join his friends at college.

  Phantom Menace

  Anakin’s mother is supportive of him going with the Jedi Knights. There are no conflicts among relatives in this movie, unless you consider the Jedi Knights a family. Then, there is a conflict between Yoda and Qui-Gon over the training of Anakin Skywalker.

  E.T.

  Elliott has conflicts with his brother and mother; they don’t believe him when he tells them he saw a creature in the back yard. He is also unhappy about his father deserting the family.

  Jurassic Park

  Dr. Hammond has placed the lives of his grandchildren in danger, although he didn’t intend to do this.

  The Lion King

  Simba must fight his uncle, Scar, for control of the kingdom.

  Forrest Gump

  Forrest has the complete support of his mother but lacks a father. Return of the Jedi

  Luke must fight with his father, Darth Vader, who wants Luke to join the dark side of the force.

  Batman

  Bruce Wayne has problems establishing any intimate relationships since he witnessed his parents murdered as a child.

  Home Alone

  Kevin’s family rejects him because of the mess that he made while they were eating. He is unhappy with them because they treat him like an inept child.

  Jaws

  Capt. Brody has the support of his wife throughout the story. His son places himself in jeopardy by going out on a boat on July 4th. This causes a lot of stress for Capt. Brody.