History ReasonableAuthorityFigure / LiveActionFilms

*** See the Comic Books folder for more examples.

** In ''Film/{{Transformers}}'', the Secretary of Defense, when he's informed of what is happening, quite reasonably backs up the soldiers who have actually fought (and beat, let alone survived) a Decepticon attack and the teenage kid who obviously has a handle on what is happening. Earlier in the movie, he demonstrates how such a figure can be authoritative while still being reasonable: when a young civilian contractor intrudes on his emergency meeting with some high-ranking officers, all the while making wild conjectures about extraterrestrial computer viruses, he ushers her out quickly and with no undue fuss, saying that he'd be glad to listen if she finds any proof, but that she needs to learn some manners if she wants to work at this level. Later, when proof is presented, he not only listens but appoints her as his advisor.

** ''Film/XMenApocalypse'':
*** The Polish cops who try to arrest Erik early in the film are genuine peace keepers, not bigots with badges. They target Erik simply because he's an internationally wanted man, and not out of anti-mutant prejudice or hysteria. Moreover, they do not wish to harm his family and simply want to take him in alive. When [[spoiler:one of them accidentally kills Erik's wife and daughter]] they are all horrified and remorseful at what they'd done in the brief moments before [[spoiler:Erik kills them]].
*** ''Stryker'' of all people is presented as one compared to his previous depictions in the franchise. He only abducts Raven, Peter, Moira and Hank so that he could question them about a cataclysmic psychic event that seemingly originated from the X-Mansion, and leaves behind the innocent students of the school (unlike his visit in ''X2''). [[spoiler:Then again, he did torture and brainwash Logan into becoming Weapon X in this continuity as well.]]

* The prosecutor in ''Film/MyCousinVinny'' is a good-natured, by-the-book, down-home country lawyer. He's dead set on getting the kids convicted and executed, but the evidence does look pretty damning. When Vinny succeeds in knocking a big hole in the case, he immediately moves to have the case dismissed and congratulates Vinny on doing such a good job. To be fair, there was no way for him to win the case at that point (the evidence exonerated the defendants). Having the case dismissed was his best move.
** He does skirt the rules at one point, by refusing to let Vinny know ahead of time that he's bringing in an expert witness (the prosecution must disclose all witnesses and evidence to the defense). Vinny comes up with a convincing and proper objection (the judge praises him for that), but it get overruled.
** Judge Haller. He is very frustrated with Vinny's ignorance of basic courtroom procedure, but when Vinny shapes up, he proves to be very impartial.

* ''Film/AppointmentWithVenus'': Captain Weiss is an antagonist example. He is the Nazi officer in charge of the occupation of Armorel, and goes out of his way to be as reasonable as possible to the civilian population. This includes having all edicts translated into English and insisting that his troops only speak English when dealing the locals so can understand what is happening and why. He also delivers a GloveSlap to Sergeant Vogel when he learns struck Lionel Fallaize when Fallaize was not expecting it: telling Vogel that soldiers like him are the reason the German army is despised across Europe.

* ''Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn:'' League official Ira Lowenstein lectures Jimmy for his poor behavior, tries to accommodate Dottie when she feels being on the same team as Kit is hurting their relationship (although his methods aren't perfect), and really goes to bat to keep the league going on multiple occasions when it looks doomed, feeling that the women deserve to keep pursuing their dream.

* ''Film/SmallTownSanta'': When Deputy Tom brings Sean and Evan to his office for egging Mr. Harold's house, they beg him not to lock them up. Evan explains that his father lost his job, and his paper route is now their only source of income. [[TheProtagonist Sheriff Rick]] decides not to lock them up, instead having them go back to Mr. Harold's house and clean it, and ordering them to spend the month making sure his pathway to his house is clear of snow. He also warns them that he will have them locked up if he goes to Mr. Harold's house and discovers they're slacking off on their assignment.

* ''Film/{{Traffic}}'': Wakefield's processor on the anti-drugs task force, General Landry. He's done a lot of good work, but is open about believing that his actions have had no lasting impact. He's willing to give some advice to his successor, while offering himself up as a {{Scapegoat}} in the event that's necessary.

** Nick Fury throughout the series, but especially in ''Film/TheAvengers2012'', shows a good instinct of when to rein in his RagtagBunchOfMisfits, and when to stand back and let them do their jobs.

** Rhomann Dey in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' is a Nova Corps officer who has had a few antagonistic run-ins with protagonist (and petty thief) Peter Quill. Nonetheless, he is never an outright jerk to Quill and [[spoiler:before the climax affirms, without reservation, his belief in the sincerity of Quill's message warning of an impending invasion by the BigBad, resulting in the Nova Corps giving Quill's team much-needed backup.]]

%%* Every layer of the US government in the classic mutant-ant movie ''Film/{{Them}}''.

** Downplayed with Commodore Devereaux and his board members (save Steve, who plays it straighter). They wrongly blame Jack for the loss of the ''Jubilee''. When Steve makes a strong argument that Jack is innocent, they agree to promote Jack if his innocence is proven, although they also refuse to tell Jack that they're giving him a second chance.

* O-Ren from ''Film/KillBill'' has no problem with her subordinates questioning her logic or pointing out flaws in her plan, so long as they're respectful about it. She actively encourages it! Just don't insult her heritage. [[OffWithHisHead Seriously,]] ''[[BerserkButton don't]]''.

* Captain Gordon Stacy is a borderline example in ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan''. He ''is'' antagonistic toward the hero, contrary to most examples, but he has good reason ([[spoiler:Spider-Man screwed up a police investigation of an auto theft ring]]). He is established as an actual example when [[spoiler:Peter rushes into the police department with [[YouHaveToBelieveMe wild and unsubstantiated accusations]] that Dr. Curt Connors is a giant lizard monster who is responsible for recent violence in the city. Stacy is dismissive but, as soon as Parker leaves, he orders his men to check on Dr. Connors just to be sure.]]

*** In ''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture'' Admiral Nogura, finding Admiral Kirk's reasoning sound, returns command of the ''Enterprise'' to Kirk. Given the first name of Heihachiro in various [[Franchise/StarTrekExpandedUniverse expanded universe]] works, the character is explored further. These works established Nogura as a no-nonsense authority figure who was able to get things done and after a series of scandals involving more than one [[InsaneAdmiral]] helped restore the Federation's faith in Starfleet as an institution. Having served in the field himself Nogura was portrayed as sympathetic to Kirk and his senior officers.
*** However, in the novel ''The Autobiography of James T. Kirk'' - which takes place in an alternate continuity from other licensed works - Nogura becomes an[[InsaneAdmiral]] who has to be forced from his job when it was discovered he was actively plotting a preemptive invasion of the Klingon Empire.

* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' reboot films (Kelvinverse):
** Captain Pike in ''Film/StarTrek2009'' is surprisingly reasonable and willing to listen. It helps that he has a soft spot for Kirk.
** [[Creator/PeterWeller Admiral Marcus]], Carol's father and the chief of Starfleet Command, in ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness''. [[spoiler:He's really [[BigBadEnsemble evil]], and attempts to destroy the ''Enterprise'' to cover up Section 31's actions and start a war with the Klingons. As a few of the crew try to convince Kirk, even the "reasonable" parts are major crimes and massively immoral]].
** Commodore Paris from ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' is understanding of Kirk's temporary uncertainty about sitting in the big chair, and isn't surprised when the events of the film help Kirk rediscover himself and his love for exploration.

* Dr. Paul Dreyfus in ''Film/DantesPeak''. He's skeptical of Dr. Dalton's claims that the volcano is going to erupt, not because he's a SuitWithVestedInterests or because he thinks there's a MillionToOneChance, but because he wants absolute proof as a scientist and he's seen how premature warnings can cause unnecessary panic and cause people to disregard real warnings. But as soon as Dr. Dalton has real proof (contaminated water), he agrees to issue a warning and helps plan an evacuation. Of course [[spoiler: he still ends up being a DoomedContrarian.]]

*** Joe Brody in ''Film/Godzilla2014'', before the death of his wife at least. He pushes for an emergency meeting because he's concerned about ''unexplained'' seismic reading near the nuclear power plant's vicinity, and before the meeting can happen, when supposed quakes start striking the plant, he rightfully orders that the entire plant be taken offline without hesitation. Lastly there's his tragic ShootTheDog.

** While the film version of King Thranduil is not obviously this at first, he actually gives Legolas a remarkable amount of latitude. He also seems to genuinely respect Bard, letting him try and talk Thorin round despite being certain that it would fail, and casually pouring him a glass of wine. Since Bard, though of noble lineage, is basically a fisherman, and Thranduil is an immortal king with an ego the size of the Lonely Mountain, this speaks volumes.

* The King from ''Film/JackTheGiantSlayer'' he's a good leader who handles himself well, deals with his subjects fairly, [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething and isn't above hard labor right alongside the common soldiers]] when necessary. He also shows remarkable restraint when dealing with Jack, refraining from [[CleaningThisGun trying to intimidate him]] once it's clear there's some chemistry between him and the Princess. Not to mention he insists on fighting alongside the guards when the Giants attack, and gives Elmont a "Hell no!" when asked to leave.

* O-Ren from ''Film/KillBill'' has no problem with her subordinates questioning her logic or pointing out flaws in her plan, so long as they're respectful about it. Hell, she actively encourages it! Just don't insult her heritage. [[OffWithHisHead Seriously,]] ''[[BerserkButton don't]]''.

* Mayor Wells from ''Film/TheLastShark'', like [[Film/{{Jaws}} Mayor Vaughn]], refuses to close the beaches in response to the shark attacks. Unlike Vaughn, Wells ''does'' take precautions, such as installing safety barriers and hiring patrol boats. Hell, [[spoiler: he even tries to take on the shark himself in the climax!]]

** Odin and (in a rare villainous example) Laufey in ''Film/{{Thor}}''. Odin wants to avoid war with the Frost Giants and preserve their peace. Laufey was prepared to let Thor and his friends go for violating the truce and invading their nation. Of course, with Laufey it's a bit hard to tell whether he was genuine or if he was arranging matters to look like the more reasonable party (which the HotBlooded Thor made quite easy), given that he'd given the order to steal the Casket that led to Thor's arrival in Jotunheim in the first place.

** Nick Fury throughout the entire series, but especially in ''Film/TheAvengers2012'', shows a good instinct of when to rein in his RagtagBunchOfMisfits, and when to stand back and let them do their jobs.
** Colonel Phillips in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'' is a pragmatic man who sticks to the reality that a scrawny, asthmatic man isn't a good soldier until he sees the scientist's transformation of Steve Rogers. But Phillips doesn't believe a single SuperSoldier like Steve Rogers is enough to win the war until Steve rescues 400 men single-handedly. When Steve presents himself for disciplinary action, Phillips is convinced of Steve's place and brings him into the military fold, with his full trust. Likewise, he stuck his neck out for Peggy Carter, recognising her potential and supporting her as a high-ranking Agent in the SSR. He mostly just seems resigned and disappointed when it appears that she got Steve killed and risked Howard (a major military contractor) on a suicide mission based on what he assumed was a crush (she retorted "faith") and he's telling her that she's basically fired. When Steve arrives with 400 men in tow, his response to her is a wry smile and, "faith, huh?"

* The doctor from ''Film/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest'', while bearing in mind that he's dealing with a load of crazy people, is very kind and agreeable with them.

** And kept up in [[Series/RoboCopTheSeries the series]], where he has both intent and capability to fix a lot of bad situations... as long as he finds out about it in the first place, something his cadre of corrupt execs prevents as much as possible. Diane even convinces him at one point to sneak out and see the city for himself. On the other hand, just about anyone in a position immediately below him seems to have their basic human morality surgically removed.

* The Operative from ''Film/{{Serenity}}'' is a KnightTemplar wholly dedicated to the Alliance's cause, but he's a [[AffablyEvil genuinely pleasant]] and reasonable fellow, even towards his targets. His EstablishingCharacterMoment had him submit himself for clearance check, revealing that he's been given ''carte blanche'' to do whatever he wanted for his mission. When the doctor in charge of the lab had to explain himself for River's breakout, he was totally understanding, as her brother spent so much time and resource and planning that her breakout was [[DidntSeeThatComing totally unprecedented]]. He still killed the doctor in charge afterwards, but that was due to the doctor legitimately dropping the ball, ''big time''. [[spoiler:At the end of the movie, when the Alliance's dirty laundry had been aired and broke his belief in the cause, he ordered his men to stand down as there's nothing else they can do to prevent the leak, and he'd rather avoid more bloodshed.]]

* The Attorney-General in ''Film/{{Shooter}}''. [[spoiler:He agrees to talk to the guy who everybody "knows" tried to kill the President on the request of a junior FBI agent, releases him instantly when confronted with evidence exonerating him, and then basically tells him to go murder the rogue intelligence operative who set the whole thing up.]]

*** PlayedForLaughs in the ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' sketches, where Palpatine is astonishingly lenient with his troops in spite of his underlying stress with their incompetence. He barks and whines at Vader only for his genuine botches, otherwise having something of VillainousFriendship with him, and at one point tries to get bounty hunters to assist with things (even offering his secretary's husband a first audition despite his skepticism). Given the parody tone of course, he's still a PointyHairedBoss.

* In ''Film/SuckerPunch'', Mrs. Gorski really does want to help the girls at the asylum recover, and even in the brothel fantasies tries to protect and care for them. Exactly how authoritative she is is difficult to pinpoint. In the brothel fantasy, she is the dance instructor, but Blue makes it clear that she doesn't have the power to challenge him. [[spoiler:In the final scenes, after Babydoll was lobotomized, Mrs. Gorski is clearly ''much'' higher in authority than the orderly Blue, bringing in the police to arrest him when she learns about his crimes.]]
* ''Film/TheTenCommandments'' gives us Pharaoh Seti, who, when presented with a dilemma, always listens to both sides of the argument, gives praise to Moses when his unconventional tactics conquer Ethiopia near bloodlessly, welcomes the Ethiopian King with open arms, and build a city in record time. [[spoiler: Even when Moses is revealed to be a Hebrew, he remarks that he will believe Moses if he promises not to raise the slaves in revolt.]] He also is unafraid to verbally smack down priests and his own son.