Pixar: 7 Times The Villain Outshined the Hero (original) (raw)

Sometimes movie villains can't help but outshine the hero, whether that be because of their larger-than-life personality, or the audience sympathizing with the villain's motivations. Particularly in recent years, villains have become more relatable, and it is far less common to have a clearly evil bad guy. It even seems that many audiences prefer a more relatable villain, perhaps as it reflects the dynamism of their own lives and how not everything is black and white.

Disney and Pixar are no strangers to charismatic villains, from the likes of Scar in the classic The Lion King (1999) to the adorable yet terrifying Lotso in Toy Story 3 (2010). Perhaps the most well-known of Pixar's villains is Syndrome, from The Incredibles (2004).

7 Ka-chigga! Chick Hicks Wins The Piston Cup (Cars, 2006)

With his bright green paint job, glorious mustache, and snide grin, Cars' Chick Hicks is hard to miss both on and off the racetrack. Voiced by the legendary Michael Keaton, Hicks will stop at nothing to win the Piston Cup and become the new face of Dinoco Racing, after he has unfortunately become known as nothing more than the runner-up. Hicks outshines the hero, Lightning McQueen, many times on the track; beating him in the final race of the Piston Cup.

Hicks, while not the fastest on the track, is a clever and manipulative racer. He frequently bumps other cars to spin them out, using collisions to his advantage. However, while he wins the Piston Cup, he is booed off the stage due to his underhand tactics.

6 Not-So-Huggin': Lotso's Heartbreaking Backstory (Toy Story 3, 2010)

Lots-o-Huggin', or simply Lotso, is Toy Story 3's (2010) main antagonist. Lotso became a household favorite after the film's release due to his appearance and his fantastic portrayal. Voiced by Hollywood veteran Ned Beatty, Lotso first appears as caring and friendly to Woody and his companions, but his jealousy and desire to be loved soon turn him into a disturbing villain.

Lotso outshines the other characters of Toy Story 3 in many ways, but it's his backstory, shown through a flashback, that really pulls at the audience's heartstrings. Left behind at a rest stop on the road, Lotso and his friends make their way back home only to find they have been replaced, leading Lotso to find his own way through a cruel world.

5 Powerless But Powerful: Syndrome's Villainous Monologue (The Incredibles, 2004)

Syndrome, formerly Buddy Pine, is the antagonist of 2004's The Incredibles. After having been turned down by Mr. Incredible due to the fact he has no superpowers, Syndrome uses his intellectual genius to make a super-suit that allows him to fly and shoot lasers. He has an immense hatred for superheroes, and so wants to either kill all people with superpowers or provide enough technology for everyone to be considered super.

Syndrome wonderfully outshines The Incredibles family during his interrogation of Mr. Incredible, showing off his true supervillain colors. He holds all the attention in the room, from his evil monologuing to his flamboyant gestures.

4 Scheming & Devious: Henry J. Waternoose & Chasing Sully (Monsters Inc., 2001)

The head of Monsters Incorporated, Henry J. Waternoose III is a ruthless businessman as well as a terrifying monster. He will stop at nothing to solve the energy crisis in Monstropolis and to keep his company from going under, even if it means abducting children to harness their screams at will.

However, the scene in which he outshines the hero has got to be when he reveals his plan to Sully, on camera. Having chased Sully and Boo through the factory, Sully leads Waternoose into what appears to be Boo's bedroom. Thinking that they're alone, Waternoose is intimidating and vengeful, towering over the pair as he reveals his true intentions and smacks Sully out the way. Just as he is about to grab Boo, it is revealed that the room is a trap, and Waternoose is arrested by the authorities.

3 Memorable & Intimidating: Hopper's Arrival (A Bug's Life, 1998)

Hopper, the antagonist of 1998's A Bug's Life, is a grasshopper abusing his position in the food chain to extort the ant kingdom. Voiced by Kevin Spacey, Hopper is intimidating and holds the audience's attention every time he's on-screen. With one blind eye and a flamboyant countenance, he is very much like a classic gangster movie villain.

However, he best outshines the hero, Flik, on his first appearance in the film. The scene, titled 'Hopper's Arrival' occurs after Flik accidentally destroys the food offering to Hopper. Hopper descends into the anthill with his gang, and proceeds to monologue about the food chain, intimidate Princess Atta and her little sister, and demand more food from the ant colony.

2 An Unmatched Showman: Ernesto De La Cruz's Villain Reveal (Coco, 2017)

Ernesto De La Cruz was a dazzling musician and singer in life, and continues to be in the Mexican Land of the Dead. The main antagonist of Coco (2017), Ernesto will stop at nothing to ensure his legacy and silence the hero, Miguel, before he can share the truth of his music. Ernesto is a schemer and murdered Miguel's ancestor in order to steal and take credit for his music, as he was not as much of a talented musician. However, he shows his true colors best when Hector confronts him.

During the confrontation, Hector deduces that Ernesto poisoned him in order to steal his music, including the popular 'Remember Me'. Hector attacks Ernesto, who calls for security, while the audience watches flashbacks of the pair's relationship. Miguel also figures out Ernesto's deception, and at last Ernesto allows himself to be seen as the villain, breaking his showman façade and showing his villainous side.

1 Slippery & Sarcastic: Randall Interrogating Mike (Monsters Inc. 2001)

Randall is Sully's rival in Monsters Inc. and is continually coming as the runner-up in the scream competition charts. Randall is working alongside Henry J. Waternoose to ensure the success of Monsters Inc., though his main motive is to oust Sully and take his place. He appears slithery and cunning due to his lizard-like appearance, but also due to his smug, nasally voice and personality.

Randall most outshines the hero during his interrogation of Mike, who has been captured and taken to a secret room. Randall uses a scream machine to intimidate Mike into giving up Sully and Boo's location, and truly captivates audiences with his mannerisms and monologue.