Liberallarry, what nonsense you talk.
Maximus in "Gladiator" and John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart in any of their movies were men of heroic stature. Sometimes they were sad or discouraged, like Rick in "Casablanca". But their essential heroism was something they could never deny. Rick in "Casablanca" can't stop being a hero, can't stop fighting bullies like Strasser even when he wants to sink into inconspicuous mediocrity in a gin joint in Casablanca.
Alexander the Great stood out. His extraordinariness stood out all his life. It is the nature of the heroic character to stand out. Even as an arena slave Maximus is as revered by the other gladiators as he was as a general by his soldiers. Somehow, Hollywood has lost the ability to depict such people without wanting to diminish or belittle them in some way as if to reassure us that they were no different from us.
Perhaps you should think before typing in the future.
A few weeks ago, I watched Casablanca for the first time. It was my opinion, and I think you will agree, that he was dead inside, because Elsa left him and he didn't know why. That is something with which we can all identify. He tried to make himself believe that he didn't care for anyone or anything. It was tough for him to carry that out. By opening himself up again, he was able to realize that there were things bigger than himself.
Exactly. Hollywood likes heroes as well as anti-heroes. It makes all kinds of stuff. Mostly crap...but some truly great stuff as well. Like any other human endeavor.
The Incredibles takes this theme and runs with it.