In almost every sports movie there’s that one person or team that you just can’t stand. You want them to lose so bad that it becomes a compulsion, a desire to just see them knocked into the dirt or humiliated in some way. That sounds awful doesn’t it? But to be honest it’s only because the characters are equally awful that we want to see them knocked down about ten to a hundred pegs. They’re usually the egotists that think they’re so great and that everyone else isn’t worthy of their presence. They represent the winners that can’t take any joy in their achievements because they’re too busy putting people down. They’re the people that don’t know how to win graciously, or lose gracefully. So yeah, watching them get knocked down is kind of fun really.
So here’s a few reasons why Shooter McGavin fits that particular mold.
He can’t say anything without sounding insulting, condescending, or elitist.
Bad guys are usually big talkers and don’t really give a rip about whose feelings they hurt or who they embarrass. But the trick is that a lot of them usually have a change of heart somewhere in the film. Shooter doesn’t. He’s the same jerk from start to finish and doesn’t seem to want to change. That’s dedication of some sort, right?
If things don’t go his way he just can’t handle it.
We’re used to seeing bad guys act like big baby’s in sports films. The pressure in professional sports is intense, and in real life most guys don’t vent until they’re out of sight of the cameras. Shooter seems to enjoy raging on people and letting them know exactly what he feels. He might be a bit of a diva but at least he’s consistent with it.
He’s a coward at heart.
Most bad guys have this trait and really, it’s kind of nice to watch. They’re all big and tough until someone comes along that challenges them in a way they can’t handle. Honestly though, if a guy can bend your irons like they’re made of wax then it might be time to walk away.
He has a victory dance that annoys the hell out of people.
His little finger guns are cute, until they become annoying, and then just downright ridiculous. It seems like many bad guys in sports movies have their celebrations that just irritate the living hell out of everyone. His awkward little shoulder shrug is kind of odd too, almost as if he’s trying to pose and forgot how.
He can’t do his own dirty work.
The bad guys that can do their own damage are tough, mean, and not all that great because they do it themselves and thereby risk discovery and almost immediate failure if they’re not good enough to beat the hero. But Shooter, he gets someone else to do the deed so his hands stay relatively clean. Of course it might help if he picked someone that’s not so obviously obsessed with him. But hey, that’s karma right?
So he might not be the perfect villain of all time, but he’s definitely the best. Why you ask? Because he’s not some whiny bad guy with an ounce of redemption in him, he’s a villain through and through.
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