It's never a good week when we lose someone to cancer. But to lose TWO legends, David Bowie and Alan Rickman, to cancer? Near intolerable.
Last Thursday, just a couple days after learning about the death of rock legend David Bowie, the world was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of world renowned thespian and actor Alan Rickman.
All across social media, Harry Potter fans have posted tributes raising their wands to Rickman. The most touching tribute came from Harry Potter himself, Daniele Radcliffe, on Google+ which you can read here:
https://plus.google.com/+DanielRadcliffe/posts/BP3YwGbBsDC
So much has been said about Rickman, that I don't really know what else I can say. He was so talented and brought so much to his roles, I don't really know if I can do him justice. But it's worth a try.
Alan has played so many great roles from Tybalt to Alexander Payne/Dr. Lazarus. But what many people don't know is that Hans Greuber, the greatest action movie villain of all time, was his first role.
Die Hard has been called the greatest Christmas movie of all time by many film fans and for good reasons. It has great action, a likable protagonist played by Bruce Willis, hilarious one liners, etc. But it's Rickman's chilling performance as Hans Greuber that really makes it stand out. His voice alone is so chilling that you can't stop listening to him. We know very little about his character, but the way Rickman plays him gives him so much depth. He's not your typical villain.
Another great role of his is Alexander Payne in the hilarious, criminally under rated Galaxy Quest.
A thespian who's famous for playing an alien in a sci fi TV show, and sick of it. His famous catchphrase is "By Grathbar's Hammer, you shall be avenged." Rickman is almost playing a parody of himself, as well as Spock in Star Trek. He is in many of the film's funniest scenes, and his interactions with Tim Allen and the cast is so entertaining. It's a must for sci-fi fans. Especially Star Trek fans.
But the role he played that my generation will always remember him for is in Harry Potter as Severus Snape the Potion Master.
Harry Potter started out as a children's book series by J.K. Rowling, and became a cultural phenomenon. With seven books and eight movies, and a prequel coming out later this year, it's safe to say that the world of Hogwarts created by Rowlingg has more than left its mark on our culture. There were so many memorable characters from the smart beyond her years Hermione to the tough and loyal Hagrid, to the wise Dumblefore. But my favorite character, as well as for most people, is Snape.
Snape started as a character you loved to hate. When we first meet him in The Sorceror's Stone (or The Philosopher's Stone as they call it in London), he seems cold, strict, judgmental, and controlling. At least that's how Harry and his friends see him. But as each book and movie comes out, the story progresses and we begin to see more layers to his character. We learn that, like most villains, he had a tragic backstory. He had strong feelings for Harry's mother Lilly, but she ended up marrying James Potter, which explains why he appears harsh to Harry. For years, fans had debated whether Snape was a friend or a foe. Could Harry trust him, or should he back off. Snape's most memorable moment was in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when (SPOILER ALERT) Snape kills Dumbledore with the death spell. It shocked millions of readers and movie goers around the world. We all knew Snape appeared cold, but this made him seem downright evil. It seemed like the side of fans that believed Snape was a foe were vindicated.
That is, until The Deahtly Hallows, both the final book and the final two movies in the series. In Deathly Hallows, we learn that Snape killing Dumbledore was all part of a master plan by Dumbledore. Harry was a Horocrux, which meant he carried a bit of Voldemort's soul. So in order for Voldemort to truly be defeated, Dumbledore believed that Harry should perish. Snape feels outraged when he learns this, which makes Dumbledore realize that Snape has grown a soft spot for Harry. Or perhaps always had it.
"After all this time?"
"Always."
It was this moment that we learned that Snape truly was more than he appeared. He wasn't just a servant to the Dark Lord. He had a heart of gold. Snape taught me, as well as millions of readers and movie goers, that not all is what it seems. And heroes can come from anywhere. Snape grew from being a character we loved to hate, to a character we loved.
Harry Potter even named his own son, "Albus Severus Potter". Harry tells his son, "You were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."
So he was to us.
Farewell Alan Rickman. You were a brilliant actor, an amazing wizard, and a good friend. We lift our wands to you Rickman. We will continue to do so. Eventually. Even you may ask us, "After all this time?"
And we reply, "Always."
