bad guys are actually bad guys

It's some kind of trendy act for men to support the wicked. This spawns the advocacy of characters in gangster films, and even historical villains for all the human rights they violated.

I was apt to do the same for much of my life, thinking that many truly awful characters were "bad-asses". Upon being asked why they were bad-asses, I would cite amusing situations wherein they hurt lots of people through their egomania.

Though these characters in history and fiction may be amusing to read about or watch, that's where the affection should end. Caligula wasn't a bad-ass, he forced those close to him to commit suicide on occasion, he killed people for no purpose besides his own amusement and intentionally caused starvation. If he existed now he would be a villainous spook, so what's the difference if its history? The character of Alex in a clockwork orange isn't some kind of nihilistic freedom fighter, he's a rapist and predator.

I'm not sure where the affinity for these characters comes from. Is is the viewers own feelings of impotency that cause him to encourage the dominance of the protagonist? Is it, on some level, what he wishes he could do if not held back by his pesky conscience and life of respect and friendship? Speaking for myself, I am more than happy to be bound by universal human rights.

In the context of a movie it may seem exciting, but if its a real-life account, or if it were reality- gunshot victims would have to live paralyzed, the dead's families would be forever devastated, and grief would continue to multiply everywhere for the momentary "justice" the protagonist inflicted.

So I hereafter will never talk positively about villains. It's not any comfort that it already happened or it's only a movie- because the same things are happening somewhere right now. If you think villains are perversely heroes of some kind- go find the real villains in the world and give them applause. If you wouldn't do that, don't ack like ya know.