Considering the subject, I always enjoy the topic of sad movies. It’s amusing to find out what films make people tear up. As I stated in the original ‘The 4: Movie Tearjerkers‘, I don’t cry in movies, because they are fake. That being said, I have felt a pit in my stomach and maybe thought I had something in my eye during these four films, but I will repeat again. I didn’t cry, because movies are not real. Let’s check out ‘The 4: Movie Tearjerkers Part 2’. SPOILERS BEWARE!!!!
Courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures
Big Hero 6
Even though I don’t cry in the movies, my heart sank over the sacrifice made by the lovable white robot in Big Hero 6. After the super team defeated the man in the Kabuki mask controlling Hiro’s microbots, Baymax detects life signs coming from the damaged portal machine. Hiro and Baymax fly into the portal and find test pilot Abigail still alive in hyper sleep. Everything is all good, until Baymax in severely compromised in a crash leaving the trio stuck in the closing portal. Then Baymax tells Hiro he has a way to get them home. Baymax pushes his rocket fist against the ship and tells Hiro he cannot deactivate unless he tells Baymax he is satisfied with his care. Distraught Hiro states their must be another way, but realizes this is the only option. Hiro hugs Baymax and tells him he’s satisfied with his care causing the rocket fist to blast the ship and Hiro through the portal.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures
The audience is then subjected to one of the saddest scenes in any animated movie as we see Baymax float away into oblivion. It’s my belief this gut wrenching scene is what earned Big Hero 6 the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Poor Baymax :(.
Credit: Paramount Pictures
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Here’s my wildcard. Many nerd tears were shed when our favorite green blooded alien Mr. Spock made the logical choice in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. After the mortally wounded Khan activated the Genesis device, the Enterprise is caught in the blast zone due to a damaged warp drive. Spock goes into the radiation flooded Engine room, repairs the warp drive thus allowing the crew of the Enterprise to escape the explosion. What follows is the saddest sequence in Science Fiction. Kirk gets a call from McCoy saying he better get down here and the Admiral realizes Spock’s chair is empty. Kirk rushes through the ship to find Spock in the quarantined room dying from radiation poisoning. Instead of explaining it, I’m just going to give you the dialogue to this Tearful Trekkie scene.
Kirk: Spock!
Spock: Ship. . . out of danger?
Kirk: Yes.
Spock: Don’t grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh…..
Kirk: — the needs of the few……
Spock: — or the one. I never took the Kobayashi Maru test, until now. What do you think of my solution? I have been and always shall be your friend. Live long and prosper.
Kirk: No!
Courtesy: Paramount Pictures
After the realization that our favorite character is dead, we get a space funeral with Mr. Scott playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes as the Vulcan’s torpedo is set to blast off into space with Kirk delivering the heartbreaking line. ” Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, …his was the most …human.” The torpedo is shot off into space and at that moment we all thought Mr. Spock was gone forever.
Credit: TriStar Pictures
Rudy
I’ve said this many times. If you don’t get choked up in Rudy, you don’t have a heart. Here’s the one entry on this list that tested me when it comes to the happy cry. After years of being told he would never play football at the University of Notre Dame, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger finally moves up from the scout team to dress for one game his senior year in front of his teammates, friends and family. With the game out of hand in the Irish’s favor, Coach Dan Devine begins to play all his seniors, but not Rudy who Devine didn’t want on the roster in the first place. Then the chant starts from the players. “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy“.
Credit: TriStar Pictures
The chant extends to the crowd who all begin to chant his name. Finally, Rudy gets in the game which causes the crowd to go insane. Rudy plays on the kickoff team and even manages to sack the quarterback on the next play. The once tackling dummy for the starters is lifted in the air and is carried off the field. It’s such a satisfying ending for anyone who has ever been told they can’t do something. Rudy brings people to tears of triumph. Just not me, because I don’t cry in movies.
Courtesy: Paramount Pictures
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
This is a film that just missed out on making ‘The 4: Movie Tearjerkers‘ the first time around. Planes, Trains and Automobiles makes the list, because it delivers a sucker punch of sadness. Uptight advertising agent Neal Page (Steve Martin) has finally arrived in Chicago on Thanksgiving after the road trip from Hell with his obnoxious travel partner Del Griffith (John Candy). Neal gets on the train and breathes a sigh of relief after finally being away from the annoying lug. Then after a few giggles thinking about the trip, something doesn’t feel right to Neal. He returns to the train station to find Del sitting by himself alone. Del tells Neil that his wife was actually dead and he didn’t have a home. It’s truly a poignant moment, where you feel so much heartache for Del. It also didn’t help that John Candy was such a lovable actor that you just wanted to hug.
Courtesy: Paramount Pictures
Luckily the tears of sadness turn into tears of joy as you see Neal and Del walking home carrying the big trunk that started it all. After a stretch of pure “You’re going the wrong way” hilarity you get scenes of sorrow followed by glimpses of hope with Neal taking in his new friend home to spend Thanksgiving with his family. These scenes are the reason I had Planes, Trains and Automobiles in the top spot for ‘The 4: Comedy Movies‘. I need a heart with my laughs.
What 4 movie tearjerkers should have been added to the list? Hit me up on Twitter @TMtheCW44Critic and become a fan on Facebook to let me know your picks.
