Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»Nerd Culture»It’s Time To Say Goodbye To The “Brotagonist”
    Nerd Culture

    It’s Time To Say Goodbye To The “Brotagonist”

    Adam ChmielewskiBy Adam ChmielewskiJanuary 7, 20195 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    I’ll put it to you straight up, I understand and respect RottenTomatoes.com’s place in the world, but I feel audience’s are too influenced by brands. Let’s face it, phrases like “Certified Fresh” and “Tomatometer” are as synonymous with modern cinema as selling beer in the theater. RottenTomatoes is a brand. I like to be the one who decides how much I enjoy a film but even I have waited for Redbox because I heard a movie sucks ass. You’ve done it too, it’s okay.

    Naturally, after seeing Aquaman I took a casual stroll to Rotten Tomatoes just to see how the latest DCEU installment has been rated by the masses. Not going to lie, I was pretty surprised to see that the Tomatometer showed only a 64%. The Audience Score seemed slightly more reasonable at 80%. This got me thinking… why would the critics give Aquaman such a low rating? What about the film (yes, it’s a film) could have turned them off so badly? Is it a journalistic conspiracy involving most major publications against Warner Brothers? Of course, but that’s a whole other topic for a rainy day. Still though, what is going on here?

    Then it hits me… and remember, this is only my personal opinion but I believe many people were turned off from Aquaman because of his party-boy, ultra-masculine persona we saw in the trailers and Justice League. An archetype I call the “Brotagonist”. Ever see, James Bond? Like that but without the sophistication. And yes James Bond, you’re falling victim to the trends in Hollywood too. Why do you think Spectre featured such a heavy love story? The Brotagonist is appropriately under attack.

    Does any parent want to raise the next Stifler? Hell no. Think about it, the Frat boy thing, not so hot in 2018. Between the Duke Lacrosse Team and the everyday Twitter punchline, Frat life isn’t the glorified collegiate icon it once was. Believe me, there are millions of descent people in these organizations, doing great things for communities across the country. Yet the persona has taken a beating over the last decade.

    In fact, when was the last time the “man’s man” was a hit at the box office? It’s been a while. While The Rock is the definitive example of the Y gene, he’s light years from the super beefed out, hooking up with ten women per movie, not knowing vegetables exist, having wolves for pets, action movie stars we saw in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

    That image of a hero is simply not sexy anymore. Don’t get me wrong, with the exception of Paul Rudd, these actors have abs on abs on abs. However, a hero’s personality travels equally as far as their body when it comes to audience relatability.

    And audiences aren’t relating to the brotagonist anymore. These lovable man children have been phased out along with the flip phone. I wish I was able to cite scientific data on this one. But I know in my gut the general population can’t possibly find “the bro” appealing. Tony Stark is engaged to Pepper now, Peter Parker is the adorable nerd next door, Captain America doesn’t seem to have time for a relationship.

    Regarding Aquaman, I feel somewhere in the production process, someone had a road to Damascus moment and realized the character Zack Snyder established couldn’t not appeal to today’s movie going audience. When you see the trailer, there’s a line about red-heads, peeing on something, simple bits of dialogue that feel more All In The Family than appealing to families. Like the studio threw them in there for the few people who thought Justice League was Avengers: Infinity War. The reality is the remnants of Snyder’s Arthur Curry (my opinion) were included so he could go from bro-to-protagonist, or development. He has to grow, he has to change.

    Sure the character is rough, however not disrespectful, or an out right pig. He might come off that way if you only look at the surface. By the end of the movie, we realize Arthur actually has depth. The dude’s King of Atlantis, doesn’t get any deeper than that. Jason Momoa walks a fine line, he walks it well. Thank God Warner Brothers found a real star. He could tell me I need a root canal and I won’t care if it came from that mouth. A great persona can make even the worst of lines sound not as bad.

    So what does this mean for the future? With Aquaman specifically, Zack Snyder’s character is dead. In the sequel (yes there will be one), expect a sort of different Arthur Curry. No more brotagonist. He might pound a beer as fast as it’s poured, but the manchild is gone. Think Iron Man 3 Tony Stark. He’ll still be funny, charming, but in a more intelligent fashion that stays true to the core of the character.

    New Aquaman. Who Dis?

    For the rest of Hollywood, the scope of the protagonist has to change in order for the film industry to stay prominent. Remember, movies are a reflection of society. When the people get turned off from certain personalities, you will see the difference on screen. While there’s a long way to go, progress (and not enough sometimes) is being made. Aquaman might end up being a major step in the decline of the Brotagonist.

    There’s nothing wrong with being a bro, just don’t be a douche.

    I almost forgot, flaws aside, I give Aquaman an 87%. We saw the death of Zack Snyder’s Aqua-Bro and the Rebirth of a hero that could be Batman underwater. It’s pretty damn amazing! Let the critics be the critics, us fans know a great product when we see one.

    By Adam Chmielewski

    @PolishKaiju

    Photo Credits- Warner Brothers/Universal

    Do you think it’s time to say goodbye to the Brotagonist? Let Nerdbot know in the comments!!

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleMark Hamill Gives us 9 New ‘Star Wars IX’ Trailers
    Next Article Nerdbot Manga Review: Kakuriyo Bed & Breakfast for Spirits
    Adam Chmielewski
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram

    Adam Chmielewski is the latest Mid-Western transplant to take up residence in the City Of Angels. Aside from contributing to Nerdbot, he’s writing screenplays for film and television. Just like everyone else in Los Angeles.

    Related Posts

    DEVO's "Whip It" Music Video

    “DEVO” Documentary Will Hit Netflix in August

    July 8, 2025

    Danai Gurira Joins Michael B. Jordan for “Thomas Crown Affair”

    July 7, 2025

    Why Your Jasmine Rice Is Gummy (and How to Fix It)

    July 2, 2025

    Retro, Radiant & Ready for Summer: Unique Vintage’s 4th of July Sale Is Here!

    July 2, 2025

    “A SMART AND COURAGEOUS CHILD” by Miki Yamamoto Nominated for 2025 American Manga Award

    July 2, 2025

    Build a Lich King with Fanhome’s Epic New Model Subscription

    July 1, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    Choosing the Right Home Generator: What Experts Say About Backup Power

    July 11, 2025

    Why Every Modern Marketer Needs Mobile Marketing Software

    July 11, 2025
    Mobile App Development

    Top 10 Mobile App Development Companies in Saudi Arabia 

    July 11, 2025

    Download GB WhatsApp APK Latest Version 18.50 For Android

    July 11, 2025

    Empowering the Next Generation: Abu Dhabi Celebrates Its First Charter School Graduates

    July 11, 2025

    Gamification of Entertainment: How are new Technologies changing Indoor Game Activities?

    July 10, 2025

    Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne Farewell Concert Raises $190 Million

    July 9, 2025

    Body Found in Pasadena, CA Goodwill Donation Bin

    July 8, 2025

    First Trailer for Millennium’s “Red Sonja” Hits

    July 10, 2025

    Cameras Are Rolling on “Dune Part 3”

    July 8, 2025

    James Gunn’s “Superman” Brings Updated Meaning to the Man of Steel [Spoiler-Free Review]

    July 8, 2025

    Jon M. Chu to Direct Live-Action “Hot Wheels” Movie

    July 7, 2025

    “Outlander” Prequel Series “Blood of My Blood” Gets Trailer

    July 10, 2025

    Netflix “Monster” Season 4 May Focus on Lizzie Borden

    July 8, 2025

    CD Projekt Red Confirm “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2” with Teaser

    July 5, 2025

    “South Park” Creators Call Paramount-Skydance Merger ‘S***show’

    July 4, 2025

    James Gunn’s “Superman” Brings Updated Meaning to the Man of Steel [Spoiler-Free Review]

    July 8, 2025

    The F11PRO 2 Drone – Pro-Level Performance Meets Sleek Design

    July 3, 2025
    "M3GAN," 2025

    “M3GAN 2.0” A Sequel That Forgets to Have Fun [Review]

    June 29, 2025

    “F1: The Movie” Thrilling Cars, Crash and Burn Story [Review]

    June 28, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.