Are there any villains in life, history, literature, film or television who are so compelling compared to the hero that you find yourself rooting for, perhaps even against your better judgment or sense of morality?
I'll name a couple to prime the pump:
1. Ricardo Montalban as Kahn in "Star Trek: the Wrath of Kahn." So he was an actor I had previously only known as Mr. Roark on "Fantasy Island," and as the spokesman for Chrysler Cordobas, and he dominated that film and, indeed, the entire franchise. He tore it up. His quotes were brilliant, his delivery was beyond flawless and he was menacing and dominant. I've seen the movie a hundred times and I'll admit it. I want him to destroy Star Fleet.
2. Harrison Ford is likable and Indiana Jones was a refreshing franchise. But I think it could've been even better if they had not killed off Belloq. I won't go as far as to say I wanted him to prevail over Jones, but I will say his time as a nemesis was too short-lived. With his wit, agreeableness and selfishness above ethos, he set the bar for nemeses at a level that scarcely ever reached again. He was like Lawrence Jamieson and Dan Fielding rolled into one.
