51 GREATEST BAD GUYS
#42. PRINCIPAL ED ROONEY from FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF.
Some of the names on this list are inhuman predators. We’ve seen Satanists, psychopaths, and fiends: guys who want to exert their power for whatever Machiavellian plot they’re bound to. Then you have a guy like Ed Rooney. He’s just a schmuck. In fact, he’s such a schmuck that his path doesn’t even intersect with Ferris’ for three-quarters of the film.
Truth be told, I always feel sorry for adversaries that have children as their nemesis. It has to be the ultimate embarrassment, the ultimate blow to their ego. Guys like Lex Luthor and Cobra Commander have to engage seasoned warriors, men and women who often outmatch, outgun and/or out-power them. In contrast, I snickered every time I was watching Harry Potter and Voldemort’s disembodied voice would whisper “Haaaa-rrrryyy…” Jesus, this is a tween he’s taunting. An untrained child. They’re trying to sell me He Who Will Not Be Named is the embodiment of evil, making every man, woman and snot-nosed runt at Hogwarts crap their pants — and he can’t dispose of one measly kid who hasn’t sprouted pubes yet?
At any rate, Ed Rooney is a sad, sad man. In his mind, he’s Ferris’ main opponent. In Ferris’ mind, he’s just another rube that’s easily railroaded. I can even get behind Ed’s cause: Ferris, for all his charm and style, is entitled, smug and manipulative (my empathy lies with Cameron, who actually gains some kind of personal perspective during the adventure). But, with that said, the sum parts of Rooney equal a bad sack lunch all around: his self-importance, his weasel-like smile, his conceit. Plus, the man breaks into a private residence and terrorizes Jennifer Grey. And everyone knows you don’t put Baby in a… (Jesus, no, Kody, don’t finish that sentence).
Rooney: “Les jeuz sont faits. Translation: the game is up. Your ass is mine.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGU1kvyCF4U
