8 Heroic Movie Sacrifices That Ultimately Meant Nothing

1. The Iron Giant €“ The Iron Giant

Iron Giant The Iron Giant is brilliant and you should see it. There, I€™ve got that out of the way. However, it does possess a pretty pointless sacrificial scene which sticks out like a stain on the fine tablecloth. Namely, the Giant chooses to sacrifice himself in the most ridiculous way possible. Really, it should be spectacular €“ it€™s the climax of the final act and strangely for a kid€™s film, the main villain has managed to release a nuclear warhead to kill the now-rumbled Giant, but now threatens to destroy the town of Rockwell. The missile arcs up, and everyone sort of cowers around, unsure of what to do next. It€™s a terrifying vignette, but the Giant knows what to do €“ he€™s got a plan, and that plan involves flying up to meet that warhead head-on, obliterating himself but saving the humans. Yes, it€™s all very noble, but there€™s surely a much better plan on the table involving shooting that nuke out of the sky. After all, we already know the Giant can produce gigantic blasters if threatened, and if the presence of warheads isn€™t threatening, I don€™t know what is. However, the Giant doesn€™t perform the most obvious action, instead condemning himself to an uncertain future and traumatising a young boy while he€™s at it. Really, the presence of those blasters turned what was an epic, grandiose ending into something riddled with potential flaws, providing a rare bum note to what was otherwise a wonderful film. Agree or disagree? Can you think of any more? Feel free to comment!
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Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League. You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.