Burke's just a psycho willing to do anything it takes to gain power, even if it means claiming the life of a child.
| “ | John Henry Irons/Steel: Nathaniel, give it up! Nathaniel Burke: First let's see what's behind door number two! My new best friend! Martin Irons: Let me go! Nathaniel Burke: You understand, Johnny? Success has never been enough for me. I need to see my enemy panic, cower and fail. So why don't you just back off? Martin and I are gonna take a little ride. |
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| ~ Nathaniel Burke to Steel, threatening Martin Irons' life. |
Well, I'm back for another superhero film. We did Marvel, now it's time for DC! This one only appears in the film, but hey, at least it's enjoyable... enjoyably bad!
What’s The Work?[]
Steel is a 1997 superhero movie based on the titular comics. Starring... Shaquille O'Neal in a bizarre and awkward leading role, Annabeth Gish as the titular hero's friend, and Judd Nelson as our nefarious bad guy. It centers on John Henry Irons, a regular goody-two-shoes and loyal military weapons maker who decides to become a superhero when a accident makes Susan "Sparky" Sparks lose her ability to walk, deciding to thwart criminals using a iron suit. Our qualifier today? This sadist right here!
Who is Nathaniel Burke and What Has He Done?[]
Nathaniel Burke is a heartless and corrupt military soldier whose only concern is climbing to the top of the ranking. Burke is first seen approaching Senator Nolan, claiming that Irons' sonic cannon can be improved if they set it to the highest setting possible. During a test on a non-occupied building, Burke forcibly cranks the level up to the maximum and launches the device on the target. It succeeds in demolishing it, but the shock waves hit the other building, crushing Sparky's legs for life and murdering Nolan in the process.
During a trial, Irons rightfully calls out Burke for what happened which leads to his firing in disgrace. Burke yells at Irons for ruining his career, calling him stupid before briefly shoving a soldier in anger while leaving. Burke then becomes a terrorist after visiting a arcade to speak to Big Willy Daniels about manufacturing dangerous weapons after managing to swipe a few from Irons. Burke is next seen showing a prototype and hands it to a random minion, resulting in him losing his eye. Burke of course shrugs it off much to Duvray's visible care for the man. In response? Burke sets up an elevator to malfunction with a trigger on a device, sending her and two unfortunate others to fall and die.
Burke then prepares stage one of his scheme, having crooks get millions of cash from a bank with his advanced firepower, injuring three innocent police officers, including a female who is a fellow friend of Irons, and flipping a police car that clearly has one inside. One almost claims the life of a random worker as well. Unfortunately before Iron could catch them in a wild chase, they flee back after injuring Irons. When one of them informs Burke about Irons' visit, Burke orders Cutter dead because he didn't dispose of Irons.
Burke next meets up with Martin Irons, Irons' best friend before sending his flunkies to commit more atrocities before Irons, now becoming Steel, foils them with his metal suit for now. Burke then chats with Slats, threatening that he'll end up like Cutter for merely exposing his crimes out Burke then plots another robbery in Hope and Willshire, having his gang shoot a few more cops while upgrading their armor so Steel is forced to run away. Burke then leads the police to Steel and gets him in prison temporarily.
Burke then auctions lots of weapons across the internet to criminals across the planet to kickstart "World War III". But in reality? It's even worse. Burke wants to the the only one allowed to sell illegal tools, so that he can allow whatever the buyer desires. while having Sparky kidnapped by one of his thugs. Burke then betrays Big Willy and guns him through the heart so that he doesn't share. Burke then offs Slats as he has "served his purpose". When Steel arrives to prevent Burke's plan and save Sparky, Burke attempts to finish them both. Steel eventually gains the upper hand with Sparky and Martin's assistance, but Burke has one last trick up his sleeve: that scene with Martin earlier? It was to use him as leverage. So when things fall apart, Burke holds a gun near his face so that he can escape in a getaway vehicle, threatening to end him if Steel doesn't surrender. Uncle Joe however manages to foil it, ultimately resulting in Burke's satisfying demise after he tries sending Steel and Martin "to the scrap heap" one last time by squishing him underneath piles of smoking debris with a desperate cry of "Oh, no!", avenging the lives that were lost by his selfishness and callous disregard for others but himself.
Heinous Standards?[]
Now, Nathaniel Burke's quite nasty for a superhero flick. He casually starts a accident that results in Nolan's death and Sparky being paralyzed from the legs down, shows no empathy when one of his inventions destroys a minion’s left eye, he's such a horrid boss that he regularly slaughters them either for petty reasons like Duvray, because they didn't succeed in their tasks like Cutter, or because he doesn't need them anymore like Big Willy and Slats. He also takes down two innocent businessmen with Duvray in the elevator, has his minions wound at least a few police, uses Sparky and Martin as bait to hurt Steel, and tries to get warmongers to use his products and begin World War III, which would put lots of lives at risk. All together, combined with his sheer ruthlessness? He passes for what is ultimately a standalone work.
Mitigating Factors?[]
Nah, he lacks any. He's just a cold and volatile man who shows no remorse for rigging the test to gain power and although he was Irons' good buddy, he's incredibly spiteful upon Irons exposing him, being so willing to break his spirit by hurting Sparky and his best friend. He's polite to his group but this is proven false because he gets rid of them and shows no care when doing so, thus showing he has no redeeming traits.
Final Verdict?[]
A solid yes to this dastardly and snarky supervillain.