What's more, it didn't add any tension. His antagonistic, selfish attitude just made me wonder how is this guy even suitable for the mission? It didn't make me feel he was someone I wanted to get to know or respect from the outset. Instead, as SiL states, he's a dick. On a mission like this, credentials are important, sure; but the ability to function as a team member is just as important. We don't get any of that.
When Fifield does become exposed to the accelerant, we don't care about him. Simply because he's a dick. It would have been much more horrific if he was a character we had some empathy for. As it is, he's a dick who got what he deserved. Who gives a shit?
There was an opportunity right at the start of the movie to lay the ground work for a memorable and respectful character for the audience to latch onto and say, "Wow. I really like this guy" and have the sting of his mutation become a deep emotional experience by losing someone incredibly valuable.
No. Instead, he's a dick and "Thank God he's dead" is the best we got out of it.
-Windebieste.
