A great 90s philosopher who spent a lot of time behind a Kwik Stop counter once opined that ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ is the best Star Wars film because of it’s Downer Ending being more like real life. I’m not sure that’s 100% accurate, what with the cyborg hands, the cryogenic freezing, the telekinesis and stuff, but that ending is one of the best parts of any Star Wars property. When things go entirely wrong, when everyone dies, when Butch & Sundance leap off a cliff, it can make for a truly memorable final chapter, leading to today’s Deus Ex Machina query…
The MS-QOTD (pronounced, as always, “misquoted”) still believes that any sequel to ‘Watchmen’ will fail because it undermines that amazing, depressing close, asking: What’s the most effective Downer Ending in all pop culture?
8 Comments
The 2016 Election?
Bad Stephen! No cookie for you.
Too soon, man, too soon.
Fight Club is the one I didn’t see coming.
Planet of the Apes. It spawned a franchise when franchises weren’t a ‘thing.’
And I’m going to pretend you meant “Empire Strikes Back.” :P
Easy Rider, Although “Cuckoo’s Nest” is right up there!
Touche, Stephen.
Seven.
“What’s in the box?”