Have you ever scratched your head wondering why there are fans of a particular franchise or character? You watch the same flick and you just don’t understand what all the brouhaha is about. They have so many things wrong with them, yet they’re really well-liked. People will cosplay as them, maybe just dress up on Halloween. It’s their go to impersonation. Multiple Pinboards have been dedicated to every piece of art and photograph to be found in the world (even clippings from poorly printed newspaper ads).
I doubt you’ll be surprised by the character that irks me most, but here is the answer: Captain Jack Sparrow. Before you groan, or roll your eyes, let me start by saying that I enjoyed the first Pirates of the Caribbean film. The cinematography was colorful, the story was pretty decent. The casting was tolerable. I even own the DVD.
Four films later (possibly five) and one short, I’ve changed my mind. What was once fun has turned repellent. Depp really had something in this character, but both he, the acting, and his reputation have taken a total nose dive. Over the past couple decades, the inspired portrayal has become lackluster parody. It’s been injected in every single character Depp has played since. He’s a lead with no depth. Between 21 Jump Street and Pirates, Depp had been a
Please stop doing this. Please.
promising force in the acting world. His penchant for abuse was glossed over by the media telling you how pretty he was, and that those around him were trying to victimize him instead of him being the perpetrator. Not so sadly, the times have become not so protective of the man.
While Depp’s truth came out of the shadows, so did the truth about the roles he undertook. Perhaps it is due to addiction, weariness, or a lack of inspiration. It’s none of my business. All I know is, there is so much irony in Sparrow being played by such a man. There is also nothing to celebrate in Sparrow. He’s a drunk syphilitic running from the law. He uses women like accessories and fleshjacks. He gets his friends in trouble, and then lets them get him out of it, taking a tithe along the way to boot.
It’s beyond me that women actually find this an attractive character, one which they fantasize about. Domestic abuser, Edward Cullen, Mr. Sparkle pants, is a better fantasy man. At least Jack doesn’t quite rank up there with Christian Grey. I just will never understand fantasies about abusers. Maybe women really are conditioned to accept the worst.
The worst part is, I just know that this is the character I’ll be seeing in the Fantastic Beasts follow up. After everything, including accusations of vile abuse, do we really have to accept it? I’m all for forgiveness, but he did bring us Jack Sparrow and proceeded to reiterate this awful character in multiple works to this day…
Anyway, it’s not my style to complain and not suggest something better. Besides, I don’t take it all that seriously. But, Yes, there is something better. He even goes by Captain Jack.
Who is the worst character you’ve ever experienced? Tell me in the comments!