He is one of the greatest movie villains: 30 years ago, he froze millions of science fiction fans.

He is one of the greatest movie villains: 30 years ago, he froze millions of science fiction fans.

On February 1, 1995, France discovered the science fiction film that was about to mark its epoch: Stargate. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the feature film notably stars Kurt Russell and James Spader.

The first is particularly distinguished by the role of Colonel Jack O’Neill, an experienced and tough soldier. As for the other, he’s great as a genius scientist with a disturbing awkwardness. However, there is another character that stands out, with an unfairly low price: Big Bad Ra!

A memorable villain

Played by Jay Davidson, he is one of the best antagonists in the sci-fi genre! However, he doesn’t often get mentioned when talking about memorable sci-fi villains, and that’s completely unfair. Ra particularly inspired the series of Goa’uld adversaries in the Stargate SG-1 series, all based on Jay Davidson’s performance.

The Goa’uld are a fictional species of parasitic aliens. Possessing human bodies, they are the main antagonists of the Stargate franchise. In the movie Ra is an alien who thinks he is an Egyptian god.

what

In the story, he uses advanced Stargate technology to enslave the population of Abydos. Like all Goa’uld, he uses this divine image to project his authority. Consider what the sun deity is in Egyptian mythology.

With his eyes that flash intermittently, his mask of an Egyptian god, and his strikingly androgynous physique, he quickly establishes an awkwardness tinged with fear. He emerges after more than an hour of filming, under the astonished eyes of Jack O’Neill and Daniel Jackson, surrounded by his bodyguard.

Very quickly, our heroes realize that his mastery of Goa’uld technology allows him to rule as a true tyrant on Abydos, using humans as slaves to mine rare ore.

Iconic actor

Jay Davidson, who played the role of her life, completely disappeared from the screens after that and concentrated on her career in fashion. In any case, if he was so striking in the role, it’s only because of his sophisticated (and very cool) costume.

His androgynous side, adolescent in appearance, contrasts sharply with Tyran Ra’s ferocity and brutality. This reinforces his role as an alien god outside of human norms. Director Roland Emmerich had a keen eye to hire an actress with a slim physique, good features and refined elegance. His influence as a big bad is magnified tenfold.

The filmmaker did not fall into the easy trap of choosing a colossus to portray Rae. The fact that the main human adversary in Stargate is some kind of gangly teenager only adds to his brutal and sadistic, power-hungry aspect.

What breaks the codes?

Jay Davidson truly brings a unique presence, cold yet magnetic, which means that even today, Ra remains a standout character. At the time, he broke the codes of traditional SF villains, who were often portrayed as imposing, muscular, monstrous, or very tough, aggressive in appearance. We especially think of Darth Vader, Xenomorph in Alien or Predator, physically imposing and animalistic antagonists.

Furthermore, the Goa’uld are at the center of the conflict: its oppressive rule prompts Jack O’Neill’s team to intervene. It is what gives meaning to the adventure and the discovery of the stargate. Without him, the story would lose its meaning.

Additionally, Ra perfectly represents the fusion between ancient myth and advanced technology, a theme at the heart of the Stargate universe. This idea that the Egyptian gods are actually aliens has a strong effect on the audience. This greatly disrupts our view of the story while remaining credible in the SF universe.

If you want to (re)watch Stargate, the feature film is available on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD.

Source: Allocine

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