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Toss Ups: Close Fights Aren't About the Combat
The Fight Spectrum is a tool I made up in my first video titled "Why 90% of Fight Scenes Are Bad". It is used to analyze a fight scene based on the parties' strengths. This helps categorize every fight into one of four buckets: Fly Swatting, David Vs Goliath, Toss Up, and World Cup. From here I assign specific requirements to each bucket, and if the fight meets those requirements, it passes my test.
In today's video, I will be going over the Toss Up category. These fights occur when both sides of the fight are of equal strength or skill. I use examples from Into The Spiderverse, Game of Thrones, Avatar the Last Airbender, Arcan, and Love, Death, and Robots.
Guest starring in today's video is @localscriptman ! I heavily recommend checking out his channel www.youtube.com/@localscriptman
#arcane #fightscene #spiderverse #atla #writingadvice
This video is a critique protected under fair use. All clips used are transformative as they accompany my commentary and are therefore within my legal rights to use.
Переглядів: 172 763

Відео

The Secret Key to Underdog Victories
Переглядів 192 тис.Місяць тому
The Fight Spectrum is a tool I made up in my first video titled "Why 90% of Fight Scenes Are Bad". It is used to analyze a fight scene based on the parties' strengths. This helps categorize every fight into one of four buckets: Fly Swatting, David Vs Goliath, Toss Up, and World Cup. From here I assign specific requirements to each bucket, and if the fight meets those requirements, it passes my ...
Flyswatting: How to Keep Unfair Fights Interesting
Переглядів 763 тис.Місяць тому
The Fight Spectrum is a tool I made up in my first video titled "Why 90% of Fight Scenes Are Bad". It is used to analyze a fight scene based on the parties' strengths. This helps categorize every fight into one of four buckets: Fly Swatting, David Vs Goliath, Toss Up, and World Cup. From here I assign specific requirements to each bucket, and if the fight meets those requirements, it passes my ...
When The Ending Is Abrupt
Переглядів 16 тис.Місяць тому
Everyone loves a happy ending, but what every perfect ending has in common is not, in fact, happiness. Today I try to break down how to write a perfect ending to a story. I analyze two examples in this video: Uncut Gems and Sound of Metal. I believe these movies have perfect endings, and I don't think they follow a traditional structure. I talk about conflict, resolution, and introduce Kishoten...
When The Characters Make The Jokes, Not The Writers
Переглядів 357 тис.2 місяці тому
Who doesn't love a well timed joke? After all, laughter is the best medicine. What about jokes that... aren't well timed? Too often I see movies ruin their narrative and unnecessarily break tension by using comedy at the wrong times. There is a growing trend in dialogue where people are recognizing irony vs sincerity. People are sick of movies not taking themselves seriously! In this video, I b...
Movies Have to Say Something
Переглядів 8 тис.2 місяці тому
I want you to think of the best movies and television shows of all time. Somehow, they all put the audience in that special place that only art bring us to. How do they do it? What does all good art have in common? The purpose of this video is purpose. I talk about how the Lion King 1994 is one of the most memorable and moving movies of the last 30 years, and how its successor the Lion King 201...
Why All Plot Twists Are Doomed
Переглядів 246 тис.2 місяці тому
What is better than a plot twist? My favorite movies all seem to have one thing in common: a fantastic plot twist that recontextualizes the entire story. Rather than talk about Plot Twists 101, this video instead covers something that nobody seems to be talking about, a phenomena I am calling the plot twist paradox. I cover some absolute classic movie including Get Out and Shutter Island, so le...
The Western Myth Of Freedom
Переглядів 12 тис.3 місяці тому
At first glance this might seem utterly ridiculous, but in this video essay I talk about a glaring connection I see between Eren Yeager and American Individualism. Raw negative freedom is dangerous, and for true harmony to exist, freedom requires responsibility. Timestamps 0:00 Disclaimer 0:20 Freedom 2:45 Responsibility 5:26 Thanks for Watching This video is a critique protected under fair use...
Why 90% Of Fight Scenes Are Bad (And Why 10% Are Good)
Переглядів 674 тис.3 місяці тому
A fight scene is a complement to a story's narrative. I think that all too often, writers seem to forget this fact. In this video, I explain a system I call the "Fight Spectrum" that categorizes every fight scene ever. I analyze several examples of both good and bad fights and break down my reasoning for why I think they pass or fail. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 1:08 - Prerequisites 2:43 - The Ch...

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @esteemedleader
    @esteemedleader Годину тому

    Constructive criticism: You didn't explain that in the Love, Death, + Robots scene the monsters are brainjacked by the controllers and it's not just, like, Pokemon.

  • @smb1905
    @smb1905 2 години тому

    For world cup example i gotta go sasuke vs naruto. Part 1 or 2 because in both these instances this is the most amount of power on display for that perspective part of the series. Alsp the characterization in these fights are rich

  • @fishtank39
    @fishtank39 3 години тому

    negl, you lost me with the stars wars section. i found the episode iii fight so long and drawn out, with no consequence coming until the very end. there's no visual distinction (wrt to damage, exhaustion, etc) between any of the (many.....) stages of the fight. they just keep going and going and going until it's over

  • @BlockyMountainLion
    @BlockyMountainLion 3 години тому

    i like how the plot of one punch man is the opposite of this video

  • @celinegandalf1583
    @celinegandalf1583 4 години тому

    i could watch you analyze arcane’s fight scenes all day!

  • @thatguy5233
    @thatguy5233 4 години тому

    i think one punch man perfected the art of fly swatting. i generally don't even watch anime but this is just a BRILLIANT show. i refused to even check this anime when i heard what it's about, thinking this must be the worst show ever (in general i HATE flyswatting) but my friend eventually convinced me to give it a go. there is no other show that proved me wrong this much, ever. it's also the only show i rewatched not because i forgot it, but just because it was so good lol

  • @bens9422
    @bens9422 5 годин тому

    I reckon Ben Affleck saying "my boys wicked smart" ruined the film!

  • @DoddyIshamel
    @DoddyIshamel 5 годин тому

    Pauls killing move with the knife off screen is a callback to his training with Gurney in the first film where paul (and the audience) thinks he has won but Gurney is revealed to also have the kill strike. It would have been more effective if it was a single film or had a reminder of some sort i think. The hidden blade is a theme through the books/films though frustratingly they took Feyds (poisoned) hidden blade out.

  • @Deliriumend
    @Deliriumend 5 годин тому

    I'm pausing 13 minutes in because I disagree with your assessment of the Sherlock Holmes fight. It's not a toss up. It is in fact a fly swatting fight and it works because of pure characterization. Sherlock vs. Moriarty is however a *GREAT* example of a toss up fight. The prize fight is fly swatting because we know the thug never really has a chance. Holmes is playing with him - dancing around and slapping him - to play for the crowd. It's only when he sees Irene that he gets distracted and takes a lucky shot that puts things into a serious context. And then his opponent spits on the back of his head. At which point we rush into Sherlock's head, listen to him logically tell him to not take this on an emotional level, and see how he uses his superior intellect to dissect his opponent for a quick/easy win because he's no longer interested in the fight/money but in looking for Irene. Like you said, SHerlock's intellect has him on a whole other level. And because of that, most opponents don't even have a chance. That's why Moriarty is so scary in the second movie - he's as smart as Holmes. And why they made the giant guy so impervious to harm in the later fight in the first movie, because it's someone so strong/tough most of Sherlocks' strategy/tricks just don't work. Unpausing now though as you have a great breakdown. Your theory so far is sound, hence me being able to use your defined terms to discuss my disagreement with your view on this example. Which is WAY better than most people's video essays on here :D

  • @Komatik_
    @Komatik_ 5 годин тому

    Good fly-swattings? Kung Fury. Mostly because it's played for comedy.

  • @thelivingtrebuchet6180
    @thelivingtrebuchet6180 6 годин тому

    the win condition in that one timeline was ironman choosing to sacrifice himself

  • @Koraki5115
    @Koraki5115 7 годин тому

    Who tf hates tomatos?

  • @ZeRedSpy
    @ZeRedSpy 7 годин тому

    I wish I could adequately describe Kaladin Stormblessed against….i wanna say his name is The Pursuer from the 4th stormlight novel. The pursuer is an antagonist throughout the entire book leading to many ties or losses throughout the novel. The final fight is a wonderful tossup.

  • @edeciotheghost1637
    @edeciotheghost1637 7 годин тому

    You missed what is (in my opinion) the best execution of a flyswatting fight in anime: Madara Uchiha vs The Shinobi Alliance from Naruto: Shippuden

  • @debidi5946
    @debidi5946 8 годин тому

    Bro sounds exactly like John Krasinsky

  • @PickledSmoothBrain
    @PickledSmoothBrain 8 годин тому

    I came across a new (to me) youtuber who was making a commentary video about something of interest and I was enjoying those comments, with some decent humour mixed in and I subscribed as he would make for decent background listening as I work. But then I realised his certain toilet humour joke was going on for a bit too long it started to irritate me that he wasn't going back to the purpose of the video. 2 minutes turned to 5, which turned to 10 and still milking the same now infuriating joke. I unsubscribed and have no interest in going back to his videos. I know this is not specifically your point you're making about jokes in content except to the point that even in videos with humour there's a time and place for them and a balance.

  • @Kaive0
    @Kaive0 10 годин тому

    Peak

  • @TripleXGames
    @TripleXGames 10 годин тому

    I highly disagree on the infinity war stuff. Marvel movies like that have to walk a thin line between super serieus and entertaining. It's kinda like the Rule of Cool. Why have such a scene? because its cool / entertaining. the Russo's did a fine job balancing that out. I consider it being in the top 3 of best marvel movies ever made. If im going to nitpick everything that could pull a person out of the immersion and can sit here for days.

  • @lsndoks8241
    @lsndoks8241 11 годин тому

    I liked this video Nice riff playing on the background

  • @anti-mate407
    @anti-mate407 15 годин тому

    10:34 i see what you did there

  • @AlonsoJoaquinComposer
    @AlonsoJoaquinComposer 18 годин тому

    Michonne vs the Governor is how you do it properly imo. And somehow despite the governor losing it made him 10x scarier

  • @RyanPassek
    @RyanPassek 20 годин тому

    I highly disagree with the analysis of old boy. They were in a small hallway having difficulty surrounding him. Getting around each other without hitting each other was difficult, and so the opponents are looking for ways to get in on dae su. They only finally dogpile him one they get the upper hand and the threat of hissing each other has stopped. They contextualize the fight in a way that forces a one thug approach, and show that while he has some skill in Kung Fu, it's not going to truely save him if he's up against a truely strong opponent. Foreshadowing what happens with the final fight against a truely strong fighter. Dae su isn't some Kung Fu master, he's just a guy who practiced Kung Fu in isolation. It characterizes him, foreshadows the ending, and creates a realistic scenario while it's at it.

  • @LucasTheLionheart
    @LucasTheLionheart 21 годину тому

    Outstanding video! Enjoyed it immensely. One note on the Dune 2 fight scene - the way Paul wins is a callback to the his training with Gurney in the first movie where Paul thinks he wins and Gurney quips, “You would have joined me in death.” Revealing the knife that had been ‘stabbed’ into Paul’s belly during his aggression. This is the culmination of both characters’ arcs because Paul has learned and matured into a brave and cunning warrior where he once would have lost. In contrast, his opponent fell victim to the tunnel vision of aggression in the same manner young Paul had. Best of luck on future videos!

  • @MorganOgerpon_Fan
    @MorganOgerpon_Fan 21 годину тому

    I feel like there's something to be said about Delicious in Dungeon's final fight in the manga (not adapted into anime yet, lol) in the episode about World Cups. It does seem to start as a flyswatting favored against Laois, but it is beneath the surface the world cup of the series, in my opinion. I think it's extremely interesting.

  • @Slimurgical
    @Slimurgical 21 годину тому

    Here are some flyswatting examples I personally like: 1. Jiren in the Tournament of Power Arc of Dragonball Super vs Two random fighters from another team. This one is a great example of flyswatting that handles itself because the flies are so insanely beneath the swatter, that he does literally nothing to swat them. They try to attack Jiren while he's meditating and (what I can only assume) practicing using sheer concentration to crush small rocks he also levitates nearby. Two random guys from another team try to ambush him, but their attempt is thwarted, the aura that Jiren's sheer Ki reserve gives off makes it impossible for such weak opponents to even touch him, to such a degree that the attempt doesn't register with Jiren. They're then swatted by two of Jiren's friends whom are explicitly stated to be weaker while providing some exposition that they're aware of his power. Sometimes the swatter doesn't need to even need to do the swatting for the fly to be handled. 2. A good example of believable "one thug at a time" flyswatting is in a lot of the John Wick series fights where John is facing against a team of security or skilled but smaller mercenaries, that he ends up eliminating one at a time. He does this by usually either using stealth and silent takedowns and eventually resorting to louder means once the enemy squad is small enough, or through a constant string of retreating, eliminating and retreating. Another one could be the scene in John Wick 3 (iirc) where a bounty is put on John's head due to violating the rules of the assassin hotel place (literally forgot the name), and we see a long string of various different assassins of varying skill levels trying to take him out for what is basically permanent retirement money, but John eliminates all of them. The greatness of this is that while it Is flyswatting, we see that almost all of them chip John's 'armor' a little bit each time he enters a fight, that while he's way stronger than them, the constant 24/7 barrage of attacks eventually wears him down and he has to resort to more desperate measures. It helps keep the character believable when they have to maneuver to control just how many dudes they're fighting at one time because it creates an implication that even this beast of a character would be simply overwhelmed otherwise and that even a legend can fall. 3. Goblin Slayer. Ignoring his backstory, Goblin Slayer is a completely normal guy, but because of his past history with Goblinkind, he's not only become insanely knowledgeable about goblin behavior and how to allow yourself to continue hunting them, but he's also become insanely crafty and clever with his use of various types of item, like getting a gate scroll to the bottom of the ocean. Gate scrolls are very inexpensive for a scroll, they're a mobility item, they create a temporary portal from one location to the other, so placing the other end at the bottom of say... the mariana's trench would result in a scroll that blasts water so fast that it enables him to destroy an ogre outright, an opponent he'd never expected to fight. He's a fantastic example of a character who can only flyswat because of knowledge and cleverness. 4. I'd say the first fight that the Elric brothers have against Scar in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a great example of a fight that, while it's ultimately flyswatting, later fights that happen between them are almost radically different due to them understanding how Scar's abilities work, and it's a good example of anti-main character flyswatting that sets up a growth milestone for the main characters in a very fitting manner. Tbh there's a ton of flyswatting in FMA:B, There's Wrath whenever he fights anyone close to normal, the Homunculi themselves are a huge source of it, I think Envy vs Hughes is a good example of flyswatting as a narrative device since it provides character motivation and/or development to other characters connected to Hughes that also provides some intrigue because we're never told why hughes was being hunted, or what he discovered, only that he was investigating something. The death of Hughes and the manner he died in tells us that he accidentally stumbled into something huge. Also the first fight with Father is some premium flyswatting that characterizes Father and, to a degree, gives us characterization on all major characters (sooner or later) but also gives us some much needed exposition or worldbuilding in the process. 5. Lastly, There's cases in a bunch of anime where flyswatting is also just characters sparring with far more experienced people acting as their teacher. I personally really love these for various reason but I don't want to type another multi-paragraph right now, I'm tired. Love the video man, and I agree with it fully, have a nice day and thanks for making it!

  • @nicodrexler5854
    @nicodrexler5854 21 годину тому

    One interesting World Cup fight that comes to my mind is Akainu vs Aokiji in one piece. We don‘t see any scene of the actual fight, but we hear characters talk about it, know the insane powers of these two and lastly we see their battlefield, which completely destroyed/changed the climate of a whole island to an extreme even two years after it took place.

  • @JonnyBgamer
    @JonnyBgamer 21 годину тому

    My favorite fight scene is in ip man as he takes on 10 opponents after having witnessed the murder of a good friend and fellow master. I think it would be worth another similar video with more comparison, and I personally would really like to know how you would rate this 1

  • @addchannelname2052
    @addchannelname2052 21 годину тому

    "However, there is merit to having characters actually explain things" Not that you plan on covering this series specifically But that statement is Exactly why Skibidi toilet can't break past being a meme show

  • @GunnerHewrote
    @GunnerHewrote 22 години тому

    Completely disagree with the characterization of Jinx as being inhuman. IMO it's the opposite. She's all too human. That pained smile before she releases the grenade is her feeling bittersweet about the fact that Ekko can still see her as Powder on some level. She's haunted by her trauma, and at that point in the story, still in the middle of the process of fully becoming Jinx. And also, despite what has been said by herself and multiple other characters in the show, it is clear that "Powder" is not truly gone, as we have now seen in season 2

  • @mantlek
    @mantlek 23 години тому

    Big issue w Sukuna Gojo debate. At the end of the day it really could’ve gone either way in any state, and more importantly the narrative made perfect sense.

  • @furyberserk
    @furyberserk 23 години тому

    Powerscaling isn't stupid. Your theory on why it exists is.

  • @francopacho8275
    @francopacho8275 День тому

    Yeah but that thor Joke is in character, he is happy to see his friend but also bloating as he assumes he is the best avenger, so the others copy him.

  • @Blank-jr6lf
    @Blank-jr6lf День тому

    What about Madara hopping onto the battlefield

  • @LezbionestHere
    @LezbionestHere День тому

    I mean simply its jsut it needs to either have amazing spectacle or serve narrative purpose. it cant be just about the action

  • @JonathanMeyer-o4m
    @JonathanMeyer-o4m День тому

    i think, like Good Will Hunting, this video has an implicit expectation for jokes. you've curbed the cost of comedy by making a video About humor. it would be more wierd if you weren't making jokes

  • @lightning8253
    @lightning8253 День тому

    i really wanna see anybody try and name one movie where robin williams isnt good. That man could make a stone cry, snort and laugh all at the same time. Absolutely one of a kind, I don't think we will see anyone come close to him in the next 200 years.

  • @enol1466
    @enol1466 День тому

    The fight at the end of season 3 is meant to be chaotic. It is a fight that goes wrong. I disagree with that being enough of a reason to stop watchibg the show. Also, the boys is not a show highlighted by its fight scenes

  • @ct347
    @ct347 День тому

    One thing, and I may be wrong, but the hallway scene always made sense to me. It's a hallway! They have a lot of people but it's a cramped space. A lot of them have weapons that take big swings to hit, they get in each others way, they aren't really supposed to be trained professionals or anything, and are nervous to face him with such an intimidating start. Eventually they do overwhelm because it's only a matter of time with those odds and with the wear and tear. All that to say- I think there are better examples of the one by one issue which could be used but... hey, its been a long while since I've actually seen the movie anyway.

  • @ethanhale6931
    @ethanhale6931 День тому

    For Thanos, he might have been keeping the things he could do with a gauntlet a secret, just in case he had underestimated their abilities, which once having it nearly taken once would prompt him to use more effort/abilities

  • @scubasteve2189
    @scubasteve2189 День тому

    This just comes across as snooty. Sorry. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Good Will Hunting and Infinity War BOTH handle comedy well. No, people are not fighting for their lives, because it’s a MOVIE! We all know it’s a popcorn comics movie. Relax and have fun.

  • @matthewyu6521
    @matthewyu6521 День тому

    Great video, Brother. Loved all of your examples and clips. Can't wait to see what else you've got to share

  • @cowjuicethepallytank
    @cowjuicethepallytank День тому

    Perfect example of fly swatting is Reanimated Madara vs the allied shinobi forces. He continuously one ups his feats of strength and the charactarization aspect is actually seeing the strength of this person who has been hyped up for nearly 200 episodes finally coming to fruition.

  • @chronred8190
    @chronred8190 День тому

    not gonna lie Greed from FMA: Brotherhood is one of my favorites by far xd bro really went in with the "screw you i ain't fueled by selfish greed no more i'm fueled by my own morals and bonds"

  • @Tiriban
    @Tiriban День тому

    I'm not European enough to know anything about soccer. 😅

  • @rocky_wang
    @rocky_wang День тому

    Not gonna lie to you, I have expected a plot twist planted in this video the moment I clicked the video. Not because of any hints you gave, but because of the title - you’re talking about plot twist and there must be one in your own video😂😂😂

  • @bambimonstahh
    @bambimonstahh День тому

    If anyone hasn't pointed this out yet (and I'm prolly late), Sevika's name is pronounced "seh-vee-kah" not "seh-vih-kah"

  • @AnimalStomper
    @AnimalStomper День тому

    0:14 I used to thank that was Bill Burr.

  • @derekramirez843
    @derekramirez843 День тому

    Hey, IDK if you read manga, but I would love to hear your thoughts on Jujutsu Kaisen final battle

  • @hogrider1737
    @hogrider1737 День тому

    I really don’t see why people are so hung up on the star-lord thanos moment. Like I get it, it was bad and partly why half the universe got erased but like-he still won’t in the wrong for being angry. Not to mention other people made some pretty bad mistakes too, like Thor not aiming for the head-or more importantly not immediately decimating him in round 2 (like seriously bros over 1000 years old how he got so weak in 5 earth years?) Not to mention he did create the plan that got them so far in the first place.