By adding what he’s learned to what he was
before, the hero applies all that he is in a brand new way. Act
Three is best thought of as the “Final Exam” for the
hero. We started him off with a set of deficits in Act One; he is
thrown into Act Two where he learned what those deficits are... and
“dies” (at least his old way of thinking dies). And
now, re-energized, he is given the final test to prove he’s
learned his lesson. The Finale involves him “storming the
castle,” gathering a team, and executing a plan to defeat the
bad guy... and rescuing the princess in the tower. In some way this
sequence is in every meaningful movie and includes a key moment
where the hero, seemingly defeated again, “digs deep
down” for that last ounce of strength — and faith
— to triumph! I delve deeper into Finale
below.
