A further appreciation of Ben Mendelsohn

We saw Captain Marvel last night, and thought it was very good (Travers loved it!), and kudos to Marvel for a well-executed Ontological Mystery plot that accidentally veered into the region of art at certain points.  But the main thing was that it was entertaining - I walked in with low expectations, and walked out cheered and entertained. Well done, Hollywood.

Breaking down barriers for incredibly hot super heroines

As seems to be the rule with every movie our teenagers take us to, Ben Mendelsohn played the heavy.  Although cartoon villains are not known for their depth, this one had some room for nuance, and he took full advantage.  Here are a few of the things I've seen in Mendelsohn in, with representative comments from the actor:


Talos - Captain Marvel

'That big green scary pig’s head is doing a lot just by being there. It’s sorta like the effect of seeing a snake; the snake doesn’t necessarily have to do a lot to be something that you’re going to watch out for.'

Sheriff of Nottingham - Robin Hood: Origins

"He's styling... He's well turned-out."

Nolan Sorrento - Ready Player One

'Nolan is a dickhead; a jerk-off, a little wounded vanity suck that just wants everyone to tell him how beautiful he is. He’s a corporate arsehole. One of those reprehensible types with Stalinistic leanings.'

 
Orson Krennic - Rogue One

(His favorite) 'I mean but that’s the folly of youth isn’t it? No one imagines that they’re going to end up on the side of the empire. But you get older. You know you come to realize the peace and stability in the galaxy is worth fighting for and that all these airy, fairy ideals of the rebellion are very well and good but what happens when they get into power?'

"It's fantastic to do these films and to be the bad guy is an incredible pleasure and honour. But you want to make sure each role hopefully has its own merits," Mendelsohn says. "I do think it's perfectly valid to start watching and go, 'There he is, the bad guy, la la la,' because if people enjoy the movie it's all good. But for people that want more, the idea that they're going to get it matters to me."


'I was a long shot that wouldn't get up': Ben Mendelsohn on making it in Hollywood
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