Highlighting Horribleness

This weekend, I watched a couple movies where the audience is made to sympathize...or even empathize...with the villain. I am a traditionalist. I like rooting for good and booing evil. Melodrama at its finest, right? But we're told in writing to give the villain facets to make him interesting...and perhaps even likable. It's a challenge, to be sure.

The movies, you ask? Maleficent and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

This was my first viewing of Maleficent. I'm a fan to Disney's Sleeping Beauty (best Disney prince, hands-down), so I've been wanting to see this new version. When I found the DVD on sale, I snagged it. I wasn't 100% taken with it. I'm sure I'll watch it again, but I'd rather go back to the light, happy cartoon where good is good and evil is green and turns into a dragon. Besides, Phillip saves the day, and he can cut a rug on the ballroom floor. Maleficent's Phillip barely showed up.

Onto the real reason for this post...the brilliance of Dr. Horrible's.

I've been familiar with this short film since it came out...and I loved it that very first moment. (The YouTube link is posted below.) Oh, my goodness, Joss Whedon can do no wrong! He packed an emotionally-charged, gut-wrenching roller coaster into a short 45 minutes. And it's perfect. Sure, we could go more in depth to get to know the characters better, but the taste we have tells us everything we need to know. As I watched this for the sixty-seventh time, I picked up a little of Penny's backstory...and I'd like to know more. But overall, I am satisfied with what's presented.

The writing is tight. It had to be. The lyrics pack a punch. And of course, Neil Patrick Harris delivers a flawless performance. Told primarily from his perspective, we end up cheering for the bad guy. And in the end, we feel disjointed, pained, and helpless...but in the best way!

Seriously...watch this movie.

If it helps any, Nathan Fillion is also in it. Hilarious!