Movies/TV in which the protagonist eventually uncovers or develops a personal power, à la The Matrix?
November 22, 2010 11:41 AM Subscribe
Movies/TV in which the protagonist eventually uncovers or develops a personal power, à la The Matrix?
The "power" can be physical or mental, real or mystical. The movie is about transcending or overcoming.
The "power" can be physical or mental, real or mystical. The movie is about transcending or overcoming.
Doesn't this apply to vast swaths of fantasy/sci-fi, where the protagonist discovers he/she is really the long lost prince/secret wizard/demi-god? Just looking a current and recent movies, you have Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, ad infinitum.
posted by chengjih at 11:53 AM on November 22, 2010
posted by chengjih at 11:53 AM on November 22, 2010
Best answer: Dunno why you're asking this but perhaps this meta-answer will interest you - you're really describing one of the major components of the Joseph Cambell "Hero's Journey". It's not a hard-and-fast rule, since you can apply the pattern to situations where someone was born with the special abilities, but very often there's a transformative moment late in the tale where some additional talents are learned or given.
posted by phearlez at 11:55 AM on November 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by phearlez at 11:55 AM on November 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Drunken Master.
Actually, a lot of kung fu movies.
posted by RobotHero at 12:05 PM on November 22, 2010
Actually, a lot of kung fu movies.
posted by RobotHero at 12:05 PM on November 22, 2010
Best answer: TV Tropes is probably the go-to place for examples. The Hero's Journey is broader than your specific question, but probably a good starting point for drilling down to more detail.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:14 PM on November 22, 2010
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:14 PM on November 22, 2010
Response by poster: I haven't seen many of these, am marking those that look like they best fit what I'm looking for. Harry Potter fits the question as I asked it, but I'm wanting stuff that's more adult-oriented.
I have seen Unbreakable; it's a perfect example.
posted by moira at 12:31 PM on November 22, 2010
I have seen Unbreakable; it's a perfect example.
posted by moira at 12:31 PM on November 22, 2010
Matilda, based on the book by Roald Dahl, about a young girl who uses her newfound telekinesis to break free of her neglectful parents and her beastly school principal.
Some relevant TVTropes pages: New Super Power, How Do I Shot Web
posted by Rhaomi at 12:33 PM on November 22, 2010
Some relevant TVTropes pages: New Super Power, How Do I Shot Web
posted by Rhaomi at 12:33 PM on November 22, 2010
Hmmm, in no particular order and without commiting to quality of storytelling:
Olivia in Fringe - she can move between parallel universes
Zerophilia - protagonist can change gender
The Next One - protagonist discovers he's Jesus (sort of)
Inkheart - protagonist can write reality
Seconding the linked version of 'The Lathe of Heaven' - the more recent remake sucked.
posted by elendil71 at 1:09 PM on November 22, 2010
Olivia in Fringe - she can move between parallel universes
Zerophilia - protagonist can change gender
The Next One - protagonist discovers he's Jesus (sort of)
Inkheart - protagonist can write reality
Seconding the linked version of 'The Lathe of Heaven' - the more recent remake sucked.
posted by elendil71 at 1:09 PM on November 22, 2010
In The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus finds out that he's the Savior.
posted by chengjih at 1:18 PM on November 22, 2010
posted by chengjih at 1:18 PM on November 22, 2010
The Last Dragon. You're welcome.
Warning: that's the end I've linked.
posted by JaredSeth at 1:42 PM on November 22, 2010
Warning: that's the end I've linked.
posted by JaredSeth at 1:42 PM on November 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by grizzled at 11:45 AM on November 22, 2010