The Megahit Movies

by Richard Stefanik

  Independence Day

  Russell Casse has conflicts with his children because they consider him to be a crazy drunk. David Levinson is constantly bickering with his father who believes he should be much more than just an engineer at a Cable TV station. President Tom Whitmore has a conflict with his wife because he wants her to vacate Los Angeles immediately. She refuses and wants to stay until the end of the press conference, a delay that causes her death.

  Men in Black

  J and K do not have families. To join MIB, they had to dissociate themselves completely from their previous life.

  Sixth Sense

  Cole Sears feels he cannot tell his mother that he sees dead people.

  Empire Strikes Back

  Luke Skywalker has to fight with his father, Darth Vader. The Grinch

  The Grinch does not have a family. His only companion is his dog. Cindy Lou Who’s parents support her and all her actions.

  The Wizard of Oz

  Dorothy fights with her aunt and uncle in order to save Toto from Elmira Gulch. When she loses, she runs away from home.

  Shrek

  Shrek and Donkey do not have relatives, but Fiona was placed in the catle by her parents.

  Spider-Man

  Peter argues with his uncle Ben, then feels responsible when Ben is killed. Peter loves Aunt May, but his actions as Spider-Man place her in jeopardy.

  Finding Nemo

  Marlin is over-protective of Nemo but loves him dearly. Nemo wants his father to let him play with his friends.

  Monsters, Inc.

  There are no relatives in this movie.

  Bruce Almighty

  Grace’s sister Debbie thinks that Bruce is wasting Grace’s life.

  Matrix Trilogy

  Neo does not have relatives. Pirates of the Caribbean

  Will cannot accept that his father was a pirate. Liz fights with her father who wants her to marry Norrington instead of Will.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone Harry lives with abusive relatives.

  Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  Frodo enjoys the company of Bilbo, who bequeaths Frodo the Ring.

  FRIENDS Friends are the people we choose to spend time with as opposed to relatives with whom we have a biological relationship and years of shared experiences while growing up together. Friendships are also usually the results of shared values and goals. Conflict is generated between friends when either the common objectives change or the shared values change.

  When characters that are friends fight over an object, there is more at stake emotionally than when people who are strangers engage in conflict. In these situations, questions of loyalty versus personal gain come into play that create emotional torment within both the characters and the audience. Betrayal by a friend is a powerful emotional situation in a story.

  Titanic

  There are no conflicts among friends in this movie, unless you consider the sailors blocking the efforts of men and the lower classes to board the lifeboats.

  Star Wars

  There is conflict between Han and Leia concerning tactics. Luke and Han argue about Han’s mercenary attitude, and C-3P0 is always bickering with R2D2.

  Phantom Menace

  There is a conflict between Yoda and Qui-Gon over the training of Anakin Skywalker to become a Jedi Knight.

  E.T.

  Elliott has conflicts with his brother’s friends, but in the end, they help Elliott and E.T. escape.

  Jurassic Park

  Dr. Hammond has a conflict with Dennis, the computer expert, who demands more money to run the Jurassic Park computer systems. Dr. Hammond also has a conflict with Ian, the Chaos Scientist, and both Dr. Grant and Ellie about the dangers involved in operating Jurassic Park.

  The Lion King

  Scar’s friends, the hyenas, destroy him at the end of the story. Timon and Pumba fight with Simba against Scar.

  Return of the Jedi

  Han and Princess Leia first fight with the Ewoks, who later become their allies in the battle against the Empire.

  Batman

  Bruce Wayne has only one close friend, his butler Alfred, who is supportive of his crime fighting activities.

  Home Alone

  Kevin doesn’t have any friends except the old man who saves him at the end of the movie.

  Forrest Gump

  Lt. Dan hates Forrest, his “friend,” for saving his life when he believes he should have died with his men in Vietnam.

  Jaws

  Capt. Brody has a conflict with his friend, the Mayor, about closing the beach because of the shark.

  Independence Day

  There are only minor conflicts among friends in this film, like the scene in which Steve “borrows” the helicopter to search for his girlfriend. Steve also has a conflict with his pilot friend who advises him to break off his relationship with Jasmine if he wants to advance his career. President Tom Whitmore has a conflict with the Secretary of Defense whom he removes from office.

  Men in Black

  There is no conflict among friends. Any possible conflict is dealt with by erasing the person’s memory.

  Sixth Sense

  Cole Sears’ schoolmates abuse him. He has no friends and is tormented by dead people.

  Empire Strikes Back

  Leia and Han are constantly bickering throughout the movie. The Grinch

  The Grinch doesn’t have any friends, except for his companion dog. There is much conflict among the Whos, generated by the Mayor, on the issue of the Grinch being selected as the Cheermeister.

  The Wizard of Oz

  Conflict among friends only exists in the prelude, when all the farmhands are too busy to listen to Dorothy’s problems. Once she gets over the rainbow, all her new friends are always supportive.

  Shrek

  Donkey wants to be friends with Shrek, who rejects him.

  Spider-Man

  Peter’s best friend, Harry Osborn, starts dating MJ, the girl Peter loves.

  Finding Nemo

  Marlin argues with Dory.

  Monsters, Inc.

  Sulley and Mike constantly bicker and break up when in Nepal.

  Bruce Almighty

  Bruce fights with the Station Manager.

  Matrix Trilogy

  Neo has the support of Morpheus but is betrayed by Cypher.

  Pirates of the Caribbean

  Jack cheats and betrays everyone because he is a pirate.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone

  Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, support each other. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  Gandalf is betrayed by Saruman. Members of The Fellowship support each other while on the quest.

  LOVERS The most emotionally intense relationship, of course, is between lovers. If the protagonist decides to place a lover in jeopardy for an objective, the objective must be extremely important, or he will lose the empathy of the audience. This type of sacrifice is usually only acceptable when the survival of the community is at stake, and only when the protagonist makes his choice after much anguish and sorrow.

  Titanic

  Cal argues with Rose and insists that she stops seeing Jack. Star Wars

  A constant bickering exists between Han and Leia who are potential lovers.

  Phantom Menace

  There is no conflict between the lovers in this film. E.T.

  There is no love interest in this film. Elliott wants possession of E.T., but only as a friend.

  Jurassic Park

  Dr. Grant and Ellie have disagreements over his attitude towards children. The Lion King

  Simba and Nala quarrel over Simba’s refusal to return and accept his rightful place as king.

  Return of the Jedi

  There is not a conflict between lovers in this film. Batman

  Bruce Wayne loves Vicki Vale but has problems telling her the truth about his secret life.

  Home Alone

  There is no conflict between lovers in this film.

  Forrest Gump<
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  Forrest loves Jenny, who doesn’t want him as a lover, just a friend.

  Jaws

  Capt. Brody has the support of his wife. Independence Day

  There are only minor conflicts between Jasmine and Steve when he decides to return to El Toro military base. Connie and David Levinson got divorced, yet he continues to love her.

  Men in Black

  K still loves the woman that he had to leave behind years ago when he joined the MIB. He watches over her, but he cannot make contact with her until he leaves the MIB and has his memory erased.

  Sixth Sense

  Dr. Malcolm Crowe and his wife seem to have a problem of communication throughout the film, until at the end, the audience realizes that this is because Dr. Malcolm is dead.

  Empire Strikes Back

  Princess Leia and Han Solo are constantly arguing throughout the story. The Grinch

  Martha May Whovier is the lover that the Grinch desires, but he is blocked by the efforts of the Mayor.

  The Wizard of Oz

  There is not a conflict between lovers in this film.

  Shrek

  Shrek and Fiona separate because of a misunderstanding. Spider-Man

  Peter, MJ, and Harry have a love triangle. Peter will not tell MJ that he loves her.

  Finding Nemo

  There are no lovers in this movie. Monsters, Inc.

  Mike and Celia argue about why he left her at the restaurant on her Birthday.

  Bruce Almighty

  Bruce and Grace argue, then separate.

  Matrix Trilogy

  Trinity is supportive of Neo.

  Pirates of the Caribbean

  Will does not tell Liz he loves her after they defeated Barbossa.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone There are no lovers in this story.

  Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  Aragorn loves Arwen, not Eowyn.

  PHYSICAL OBJECTS Physical objects are obstacles that can create conflict for the protagonist and excitement for the audience, especially when these objects create jeopardy for the protagonist. The audience feels happy whenever a character overcomes a dangerous obstacle.

  Titanic

  When the Titanic is sinking, the locked gates become an obstacle that prevents the lower class people from getting on deck.

  Star Wars

  Luke and his companions struggle to survive the snakelike beast in the garbage pit. Luke must get R2D2 to stabilize the fighter plane during the attack on the Death Star.

  Phantom Menace

  The Jedi Spaceship needs a new Hyper-drive. Anakin must avoid rock formations and the other pods during the Pod race.

  E.T.

  E.T. must integrate the children’s toys in order to create a communications device. They must get over the police barricade during the climax scene.

  Jurassic Park

  Dr. Grant must climb up a tree to save Tim who is stuck in a car in the tree branches. The branches collapse, and Dr. Grant and Tim are almost crushed by the car as they race down the tree. The security fences block their escape.

  The Lion King

  Simba must survive the stampede of the wild beasts.

  Forrest Gump

  Forrest must learn to play ping pong. Return of the Jedi

  The Rebel fighters must maneuver through the Death Star to destroy the power source at its center.

  Batman

  Batman must devise a solution to the Smylex poison formula. Batman must climb the long stairway to the top of the cathedral.

  Home Alone

  Kevin must devise a way of using household objects to protect his home from the burglars. These household objects become physical obstacles for the burglars.

  Jaws

  The ocean and the water are the primary obstacles that the humans face when trying to escape from the shark.

  Independence Day

  Humans on the streets of New York City must escape from the fireball produced by the aliens if they hope to survive.

  Men in Black

  J must run through traffic in the opening scene in order to catch an alien. Sixth Sense

  Dr. Malcolm breaks a door window as he watches his wife being courted by another man. He tries to stop the man as he drives away from his house.

  Empire Strikes Back

  Han Solo must maneuver the Millennium Falcon through the asteroid field.

  The Grinch

  The Grinch must stop the heavy sleigh filled with presents from sliding over the cliff. Cindy Lou Who is sitting on top of the sleigh and will be killed if it falls.

  The Wizard of Oz

  Dorothy cannot open the door to the underground shelter during the tornado. Dorothy is hit on the head by her bedroom window. Dorothy’s friends must break through the door in the witch’s castle to save her.

  Shrek

  Shrek and Donkey must cross the old wooden bridge to get to the castle.

  Spider-Man

  Peter must run across rooftops to get to the thief that killed Uncle Ben.

  Finding Nemo

  Nemo must place the pebble into the fish tank filter.

  Monsters, Inc.

  Sulley must ride the conveyer belts to find Boo’s door.

  Bruce Almighty

  Bruce tries to stop his pager from ringing.

  Matrix Trilogy

  Trinity must complete the phone call before she is crushed by the truck.

  Pirates of the Caribbean

  Jack Sparrow must find a way to get out of jail.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone

  Harry must get across the magical chessboard.

  Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  Frodo must escape from the Spider’s webs before he is eaten by Shelob.

  NATURAL WORLD The natural world is also a major source of conflict in stories, both in the obstacles that it creates for the characters, and in not easily conforming to their will. Time plays a critical factor in many of these films. The fact that the objective must be obtained within a set period produces tension and excitement within the story. Distance, the nature of the terrain, and weather conditions also create obstacles. Social structures, customs, laws and politics can be used to create frustration for the characters.

  Titanic

  The iceberg and the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean are the major natural obstacles for the characters in this movie.

  Star Wars

  R2D2 and C-3P0 are stranded in a desert on an alien planet. Han must travel through light speed to escape from the Imperial Star Cruisers.

  Phantom Menace

  The Jedi Knights must escape from the underwater sea monsters. E.T.

  E.T. must overcome a vast distance of space to communicate with his home planet. E.T. and Elliott must ride a bicycle through a forest. E.T. must combat disease in order to survive.

  Jurassic Park

  Dennis must drive his jeep through the jungle roads during a rainstorm. The Lion King

  The young Simba and Nala must survive the dangers of the Elephant graveyard. Simba must survive his trek through the desert after he leaves the Pride Lands.

  Return of the Jedi

  Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker must maneuver through the forest trees on their air-motorbikes to capture the fleeing storm troopers.

  Batman

  The streets of Gotham City are the “natural” environments filled with obstacles for Batman.

  Home Alone

  Kevin must ride across the clothesline to escape from the burglars.

  Forrest Gump

  Forrest has to survive the tropical rains in Viet Nam. Jaws

  The ocean and the water are the primary obstacles that the humans face when trying to escape from the shark.

  Independence Day

  Humans running through the streets of New York overcoming the obstacles produced by cars and traffic while trying to survive the alien’s fireball is the ”natural environment” of this story. Captain Steve Hiller has to drag the body of a captured alien acros
s a desert.

  Men in Black

  Driving through the congested traffic in the Holland Tunnel is an urban “natural environment” filled with obstacles for J and K.

  Sixth Sense

  The major “natural” obstacles in this story are the customs and beliefs of the community. Cole’s culture believes that people who see dead people are crazy.

  Empire Strikes Back

  Luke must make his way through the swamp to find Yoda. He also must retrieve his spaceship from the swamp.

  The Grinch

  The Grinch has to steer the sleigh safely down the mountainside to deliver all of the presents to the people of Whoville.

  The Wizard of Oz

  Dorothy wants to get back to Kansas from the Land of Oz. Dorothy and her friends must run through a field of poisonous poppies to get to the Emerald City. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion must travel across mountains to get to the Witch’s castle in order to save Dorothy.

  Shrek

  Shrek and Donkey must travel a long distance through the countryside to get to Fiona’s castle.

  Spider-Man

  Spider-Man must climb up the side of a building to save MJ.

  Finding Nemo

  Marlin has to swim through the ocean to find Nemo.

  Monsters, Inc.

  Sulley must travel through a blizzard to get to the village in Nepal.

  Bruce Almighty

  Bruce must drive through traffic jams.

  Matrix Trilogy

  Morpheus must fight agents while traveling down a freeway.

  Pirates of the Caribbean

  The cursed pirates must walk under water to attack the British ships.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone Harry must survive the dark forest.

  Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  Frodo and Sam must survive the lava rivers of Mount Doom.

  SUPERNATURAL WORLD The supernatural, that which produces terror and is beyond our understanding and control, plays an essential role in many of these megahit movies. Most of these films have characters with powers that are beyond normal human capabilities and antagonists who terrorize the community with their supernatural powers.

  Titanic

  There are no “supernatural” obstacles in this film. Most of the obstacles result from the cold ocean water and the attitudes of the aristocracy. But there is an extraordinarily large iceberg that sinks the Titanic.

  Star Wars

  The Force, the mystical powers of Darth Vader and the telepathic powers of the disembodied Obi-Wan Kenobi are crucial to the story.