All about the allies
By Christian Jay B. Quilo
IT’S easy to glorify the main protagonists of films but most of the time, alongside these hotshots are supporting characters that are sometimes overlooked and not given due credit when in fact, they’re just as integral to the story as the main hero or heroine. It’s time to give them the spotlight for once, don’t you think? Here are 10 awesome supporting characters we’ve seen in recent action-adventure films.
Valkyrie from Thor: Ragnarok
Although she initially captures Thor and surrenders him to the Grandmaster for money, she has a change of heart and helps Thor defeat his evil sister Hela, who wanted to take over Asgard. Valkyrie was once part of an elite league of women warriors called the Valkyrior and one of the few survivors of Hela’s first attack on Asgard, before she was exiled and imprisoned by Odin.
Shuri from Black Panther
She’s more than just T’Challa’s little sister or the princess of Wakanda. She’s also the teenaged genius behind the country’s many technological advancements, including his brother’s Black Panther suit. As you saw in the film, she’s also quite the fighter, brave and fearless like her big brother. We never know, we might get to see her take on the Black Panther mantle in the future.
Ned from Spider-Man Homecoming
When Edward “Ned” Leeds discovers Peter is actually Spider-Man, he shows no hesitation to become his partner-in-crime, or in this case, partner in stopping crime. He tries to convince Peter to be his “guy in the chair,” a key character that helps the superhero in movies. Fun fact: Jacob Batalon, the actor who plays Ned, is Filipino.
Sho/Zhou from Ready Player One
Part of the “High Five” along with Parzival and Art3mis, fierce ninja Sho was always ready with his two katanas to back up his teammates in the virtual world. The best part is when they all meet in person for the first time outside the OASIS, everyone is shocked to find out that Sho or Zhou is actually an 11-year-old kid.
Lu Ren from Tomb Raider
Although his initial encounter with Croft was less than warm, Lu Ren eventually accompanies her on her quest to find her missing father. Throughout the film, Lu Ren aided Croft to not just find her father and retrieve his research but also to free the other men who have been made slaves by Trinity.
Dr. Kate Caldwell from Rampage
Angry towards Energyne, the organization that failed to help cure his dying brother, Dr. Caldwell helps Davis Okoye to stop their illegal activities that included genetic enhancement of animals.
Domino from Deadpool 2
Manipulation of luck may not exactly be the most amazing superhero ability and may seem ridiculous to some, but hey, it’s a special ability nonetheless. Domino was the first official member of Deadpool’s X-Force team, the only living member of the first batch of applicants, who all except her (thanks to her luck, of course) suffered a gruesome fate during their first mission.
Karen/Voyd from Incredibles 2
As an avid Elastigirl fan, it was absolutely adorable how she got flustered when she met her idol for the first time. Gifted with the ability to create wormholes, she genuinely wants to become a real superhero just like Elastigirl. Towards the end of the film, no longer under the control of the Screenslaver’s hypnotizing goggles, she helps Elastigirl catch Evelyn.
Hope van Dyne/The Wasp from Ant-Man and The Wasp
To quote Hope from the first Ant-Man film: “It’s about damn time.” Finally, a film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe led by a female superhero! From supporting character in Ant-Man to top-billing in Ant-Man and The Wasp in a titular role, it was certainly about time. While she has the coolest tech (e.g. shrinking, blasters and wings), she doesn’t necessarily need those — she’s also a skilled fighter!
Rico Yatco from BuyBust
Before his tragic death, Yatco’s spirit was unwavering from start to finish, holding on dearly to a talisman he wears around his neck which he believes protects him. While facing off a horde of Gracia’s angry and cynical residents, he drops a live wire into the puddled grounds to save Manigan and electrocute the rest, including himself.
