MovieChat Forums > Edward Scissorhands (1990) Discussion > Very good movie but not GREAT, one flaw ...

Very good movie but not GREAT, one flaw I cannot forgive.

posted 12 years ago by creatorof2002
54 replies | jump to latest

I could not give this movie a perfect ten for ONE reason. That total jerk portrayed by Michael G Hall died a horrible death at the hands of Edward. I have a BIG problem with this. Yes he was an A hole BUT I do not think death was appropriate. Some people DO deserve to die. The joker in BATMAN check, the villains of ROBOCOP check, Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi check. However this guy did NOT rise up to that level, he was just a jerk and in my opinion a non fatal defeat would have been more appropriate. I am fine with him being publicly shamed and humiliated, disowned by his father, even ending up in jail but not actual DEATH.

[–] turbolachtan 12 years ago

Well, life's not fair and some things just happen. Especially in a situation like this when his own life was in danger and he was defending himself. I don't know why this should be a reason to lower the rating but everyone rates according to their own criteria, of course :)

[–] commanderblue 12 years ago

1. He was bullying a man with scissors for hands. What do you THINK was going to happen?

2. This proves Edward had a breaking point; Jim broke it.

3. Edward has no chance of living a "normal life with the people" after this incident.

4.. It's a fairy tale like others said. I read somewhere that Jim's murder was Burton's delusional fantasy against all the jocks in his high school.

You're pushing your own agenda onto the film (i.e. "one flaw I cannot forgive")

"I'm your huckleberry."-Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in Tombstone

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] chivers677 12 years ago

Are you not forgetting something here? The dude was armed! And Edward left behind what he once admired, and never would have done so if it wasn't for this character and his unacceptance and jealousy of him.

Consequently, I agree that this seems totally out of character for Edward to do this though. This is the case with many Tim Burton films in my opinion, there's alot of nice visuals, dark atmosphere and eerie overtones but character development is usually very one-dimensional.

I personally think this should've been an alternative ending, and the real ending consists of the climax scene taking place outside the house and the police finding Anthony Michael Hall's character with a gun pointed towards Edward. Happy ending! But then I guess the real ending sums up Burton's dark nature. I guess it was justified in that manner.

"Stop looking at the walls, look out the window." ~ Karl Pilkington On Art

[–] unknown_soul278 11 years ago

He got off too easy.

[–] GhostTheDireWolf 11 years ago

Edward had no intentions of killing Jim until he hit Kim remember Edward fled to the castle and Jim followed him before striking the girl he loved.... Plus Edward didn't know what was morally right or wrong there's even a whole scene showcasing that Edward did what he thought was right and while Jim didn't necessarily deserve to die still got his just desserts

[–] Jerique 11 years ago

It was self-defense and preservation of life. Jim was there with intent to harm or kill Edward and Kim. Edward protected himself and Kim.

____
"Your punishment must be more severe." -- Bane (TDKR)

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RevengeOfToonces3 11 years ago

I remember making my sister watch this a little over ten years ago for the first time since it came out. She barely remembered anything about it, and when Edward stabbed Jim, she was like - *GASP!*, and I totally understood that reaction.

He was a prick, but I agree he wasn't that much of a prick that he deserved to friggin' DIE. His whole being shanked/falling through a glass window death was a bit overkill. Yeah, he was beating Edward into submission, but still. Maybe I've just seen too many movies where a character like him's ultimate comeuppance comes in the form of humiliation, not death.

"He makes me laugh, he'a always humping and pointing at Reese Witherspoon." - rebschucks