We all like to think that our beloved movie superheroes will make all the right decisions, outwit the villains every time, protect all of humanity and prevent all the dangers that the people of New York, Gotham and Metropolis face every day. Sure we like some flaws in their personality; they are for the most part human beings themselves, albeit with some rather spectacular powers. But sometimes the bigger the hero, the bigger the blunder. The truth is that sometimes superheroes cause as many problems as they solve. Whether it's the size of their egos or bigger, bolder heroes creating bigger, bolder villains, sometimes half the drama we see wouldn't take place if these superheroes had never acted in the first place. Because, as great as they are, sometimes superheroes spectacularly drop the ball. In this article I look at eight situations where they should have just stayed at home, kept their mouths shut and generally considered what trouble their brave and courageous actions will bring to them and everyone around them.
8. Peter Parker (Spider-Man) Letting The Robber Who Killed Uncle Ben Go Free
Let's begin with the classic moment that kicked off Sam Raimi's web-slinging trilogy. Peter Parker, angry at the wrestling promoter that conned him of all his winnings, let's the robber stealing from the promoter go free, rather than stepping in to intervene. That robber then goes on to kill his Uncle Ben. Well sort of. Spiderman 3 decides to randomly retcon the story to incorporate Flint Marko (Sandman) into the incident. It's to Peter Parker what the death of his parents is to Bruce Wayne or the destruction of Krypton is to Clark Kent; the tragedy that sets him on his path towards becoming the iconic superhero. But what differs from these heroes is the fact that Peter inadvertently plays a key role in this event. A moment when anger and frustration got the better of Peter, though no one could have foreseen the consequences of letting the robber go. Knowing how badly he dropped the ball, it is something that informs all the good Peter does as Spiderman...at least until his 'emo phase' in Spiderman 3!