I just noticed that Chameleon and Big Jack Horner from Puss In Boots: The Last Wish have a lot of similarities: -
Backstory - They both have backstories that are similar in both concept and presentation. Chameleon came from humble beginnings but eventually become a street criminal who aspired to become a kung fu master to earn power and respect but was rejected from every one she visited because of her size and status as a lowly reptilian runt. So she eventually turned to sorcery as another medium to achieve power and respect. This is very similar to Jack Horner's backstory. He used to perform on the streets and in bakery shops but people ignored him for magical creatures like Pinnochio. Recently this has become a meme that the movie predicted 2023 Oscars where Pinnochio won. Jealous and embittered he sought to capture all the magic in the world for himself. Of course, Jack is more of a psychopath. They are also similar in presentation as both their origin stories are just scratched on the surface and not explored in detail.
Goal - Both have similar goals. Chameleon wants the kung fu of every deceased master villain while Jack Horner wants all the magic in the world. Basically both want to become the ultimate magicians.
Both are charismatic and feared by their subordinates - Jack Horner is incredible with John Mullaney's charm and charisma and similarly Viola Davis makes Chameleon menacing and charismatic. In their opening scenes we see how they enjoy dominating on their subordinates. For Chameleon, we have the Juniper City crime heads and for Jack, we have the bakers and one of the serpent sisters.
I personally like Jack Horner a bit more than Chameleon. He has more screentime and charisma. I also like how he parallels Puss - Just as he took his 9 lives as granted and never valued them, Jack did not value the life of his opponents and even his fellow henchmen and bakers.
However, I do think those who hate on Mike Mitchell for not including detailed backstories for Chameleon and pass comments like "He does not even know the point of a backstory" feel kind of hypocritical because I don't see anyone criticize the backstory of Jack Horner. I don't criticize it ether but if these people are so mad at Chameleon not having a detailed one, they should criticize his too. Chameleon has a more interesting backstory than Jack Horner in my opinion since it makes her a polar opposite of Po. Then even he has a generic motivation of wanting all the magic in the world and I don't see how that is any less boring or generic than Chameleon's. I have kind of accepted motivations like this. Anyway these are just my views.
So what do you guys think ?
