Poll: Characters or Plot?

[Deathkingo]

You se, I thought I had most of life figured out until a few days ago. Things were going swimmingly, and then I saw Sherlock Holmes. I have been a man of plotline, and story development; these two subjects were paramount in movies, books, most forms of media really. Then Robert Downey Jr. came and made amok of my stability. The new Sherlock Holmes movie has a plot that, let's face it, is rather bland. Yet, I cannot help but love the movie because the characters (not just Robert) were all so amazingly vibrant.

When all is said and done, what matters most to you?

 

[Omikron009]

I think both are extremely important, but I'd have to say characters. If star wars, for example, had a cast made up of unlikeable douchebags, it wouldn't have been very good. You need somebody to root for.

 

[Sacman]

I prefer plot but occasionally characters can make up for what the plot lacks...

 

[Scizophrenic Llama]

I have to go with characters, because a great plot can't be done without them. Plus they spice up what would otherwise be extremely bland.

 

[Lucane]

A movie can suck but have likable characters in it,but a great story/plot with bad characters is ruined altogether.

But to become the best movies a middle ground or excelling in both is requried.

 

[teisjm]

Don't forget athmosphere. While it's neither plot or characters, it can certainly help make a film/game which fails in both areas enjoyable after all.

I would totally vote athmosphere/setting if it was an option.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Well developed Characters can improve the simplest of all plots

 

[gbemery]

A movie can suck but have likable characters in it,but a great story/plot with bad characters is ruined altogether.

But to become the best movies a middle ground or excelling in both is requried.

This is perfect imo

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

You se, I thought I had most of life figured out until a few days ago. Things were going swimmingly, and then I saw Sherlock Holmes. I have been a man of plotline, and story development; these two subjects were paramount in movies, books, most forms of media really. Then Robert Downey Jr. came and made amok of my stability. The new Sherlock Holmes movie has a plot that, let's face it, is rather bland. Yet, I cannot help but love the movie because the characters (not just Robert) were all so amazingly vibrant.

When all is said and done, what matters most to you?

I have to agree with you about the characters, I mean even the least seen character had something magnetic about him. I'm starting to wonder though whether or not I'm the only one who didn't mind the plot.

To answer you question though, I prefer a balance between the two although most times I lean towards characters.

 

[Fraught]

You can't have a good plot without good characters.

If, like you said, a plot is bland, but the characters are amazing, then it can still easily be very enjoyable.

But, like mentioned, if you have both of them, and the form of media whatever you are watching/playing/reading excels in them, then that is of course the best.

 

[insectoid]

A movie can suck but have likable characters in it,but a great story/plot with bad characters is ruined altogether.

But to become the best movies a middle ground or excelling in both is requried.

That is a rather excellent explanation.

 

[Stewie Plisken]

Characters before plot. Both is obviously preferable, but in the end of the day a brilliant plot loses its impact with intriguing and sympathetic characters.

I can tell you that even in the days that House MD had interesting medical mysteries, I didn't give two shits as long as I got to see House explored as a character.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

It's funny I had this EXACT conversation yesterday with someone. I think characters are more important though. A story can be about time travelling cowboys who run into time travelling pirates and battle inside a black hole but if it has no character development or every character is trite and cliche then it will be a boring (although probably hilariously ridiculous) story.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

I think both are extremely important, but I'd have to say characters. If star wars, for example, had a cast made up of unlikeable douchebags, it wouldn't have been very good. You need somebody to root for.

I thought it did have a cast of unlikable douchebags.
Actually, I think the only reason I even like(d) SW is because of lightsabers. So I guess lightsabers trump plot and characters for me.

 

[Erja_Perttu]

Characters definitely do it for me. Imo, most book and films in say, the fantasy genre, all have the same basic plot, yet the characters make it different and interesting. That what makes something for me, if the characters are good.

 

[Wayte]

Characters for me. I can handle a bland plot if the characters are interesting. But a good plot will be ruined by bad characters.

 

[Uncreative]

Characters by a mile. Both being good is, of course, the ideal, but good characters can carry a bad plot. Bad characters just make the whole thing suck.

 

[owyndevaldeck]

a healthy combination? no option for that though

 

[Mozared]

Healthy and believable characters should make the plot.

 

[McHanhan]

I have to go with characters, because a great plot can't be done without them. Plus they spice up what would otherwise be extremely bland.

A great plot is nothing without a vessel to transmit it. i.e- a character. And a character is nothing without a plot to pitch.

You need both.