Disappointing Endings--A Guest Post by Vicky

I have a beef with Hollywood. I have noticed there are an increasing amount of disappointing endings to movies. You know what I mean. Those movies that have amazing trailers, that look epic, there are talented actors involved, this movie is going to be the best thing you’ve seen in years. So you pay your ten or thirteen dollars depending on if it’s in 3D, you sneak in some sodas in your purse, but buy the movie popcorn because there’s just something about it. You might wait in line for a while, then you take your seat, and endure endless commercials you could watch on TV, answer stupid trivia questions that everyone knows, and wonder if people actually text in answers to who is best dressed. Finally the screen gets dark, the lights dim, the ambient crowd noise dies down, and there is an excitement in the air. You watch awesome trailers to movies you plan to see later to the point that you forget which movie you came to see in the first place. Now, fifteen minutes after the start time, the movie you paid to see begins its journey. It’s epic, it’s sweeping, the actors are doing great work, and you react to the sadness, the joy, and the jokes. You are about to declare this an amazing movie.  But suddenly, something happens, the movie starts to wrap up its epic, sweeping story and you are left empty and unfulfilled.  

W...T...F?

What just happened? That movie was so good, but now all I can think about is how unfulfilled I was by the ending!  Why didn’t they just: (insert suggestion here)?  Why? WHY?  WHY?!?!?!?!? (Cue: falling on knees, in the rain, arms up, crying up to the sky at the movie gods for this pathetic ending.)

So I have compiled a small list of movies that I found to be disappointing in the end.  These are star-filled, action-packed, good concept movies until the end screwed them up. The only thing they have in common is the disappointing ending and that I paid money to see them in the movie theater. Warning: major spoilers ahead, proceed at your own risk.

Snow White and the Huntsman 

This movie was pretty good and the concept was great. A strong Snow White who teams up with the Huntsman sent to capture her, a slightly crazy, power-hungry queen who wants immortality and to rule the land forever. There are so many things this movie got right: Charlize Theron as the gorgeous Queen Ravenna, Chris Hemsworth as the brooding, handsome Huntsman, Bob Hoskins (Smee!) is among the dwarves, Sam Claflin as Prince Charming William, the visual effects and cinematography are breathtaking, Ravenna’s back story is rich and gives us an insight to why she’s so angry. Then there was this one choice that threw everything off…

All believability, lost.

(Side rant)  Kristen Stewart was a poor choice. I’m sorry, I’m not a fan. I’ve seen her in a few things and I don’t like her as an actress. I don’t understand why she’s so sought after; she has NO EMOTIONS!  I understand that the whole “fairer” thing is not just about the looks but more about the goodness that is inside Snow White. However, knowing that the whole deal was originally about looks and that the queen is so beauty obsessed, they should have cast someone more looks-worthy and acting-worthy and just overall-worthy.

But back to the ending, it was sub-par. There was all this build-up to an epic battle that fell a little short and led to the crowning of Snow White as the new queen. The last scene left me so wanting. What about the Huntsman, why is he just standing at the back while she’s named queen, why isn’t he by her side, are we going to address that he loves her, does she love him, if the Huntsman isn’t her choice, is it William? There was this little indication that the land was returning to normal, sun shining and trees setting out blooms, but I would have loved to see an indication of the people being rejuvenated as well, something to let me know that everything truly is on the mend.  Maybe they have sequel stuff in mind, but still, now I’m completely disinterested because I was SO disappointed.  

Robin Hood

I’m talking about the Russell Crowe version because in no way do the Kevin Costner (“I would die for you” and Sean Connery) or Cary Elwes (Patrick Stewart and “Call the locksmith!”) versions disappoint.  All of the buildup; the back story of Robin Hood being a soldier and the circumstances by which he becomes Robin Hood, meeting Cate Blachett’s Marion, the amazing moment when he hops on the horse and declares his love for her (sigh), the epic battles throughout, it’s all good.

Someone is about to get an arrow through their neck.

I was swept away, Kevin Costner’s lack of accent fading in my mind, when suddenly King James is jealous of Robin and declares him an outlaw.  What?  So now we’re at the point where Robin’s adventures as we know them begin?  NOW, Robin of Loxley is an outlaw?  And how did they set up that little forest community so quickly?  Meh.  

And who are we kidding really?  Alan Rickman will always be the best Sheriff of Nottingham, hands down.  

Hancock

I only have one thing to say. They’re gods/angels/superheroes and soul mates?  Really?

I will cut you (because when we’re together it will actually hurt)

What movie endings did you find disappointing?  Do you agree with my disappointing choices?

(Vicky, 29, lives in Tallahassee, FL where she is impressed with the fact that there is more than just a Hobby Lobby to buy fabric.  She is a writer, reader, wife, dog mom, theatre lover, and costume maker.  Mostly, she is what she likes to refer to as a sous of everything, master of nothing.)