History Main / MaliciousMonitorLizard

* Creator/IrwinAllen's execrable 1960 version of ''Literature/TheLostWorld'' climaxes in an encounter with a gigantic and voracious monitor lizard, although [[{{Slurpasaur}} we're told]] it's a UsefulNotes/TyrannosaurusRex. The movie also features a fight between another monitor lizard and a crocodile that are, allegedly, also dinosaurs.

* Whether by accident or design, many reconstructions of theropod dinosaurs have varanid-like traits; in particular, [[RaptorAttack featherless renditions of dromaeosaurs]] look like bipedal Komodos. Special mention should go to the first reconstruction of a ''Megalosaurus'', [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/London_-_Crystal_Palace_-_Victorian_Dinosaurs_1.jpg as depicted at Crystal Palace in London]], which looks like a [[MixAndMatchCritter cross between a monitor lizard and a wolf]].

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresInZambezia'': Budzo, the BigBad is a vicious monitor lizard with a taste for birds' eggs who was responsible for killing the protagonist's mother.

[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheRescuersDownUnder https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/joanna.png]]]]

For series featuring prehistoric life, expect the prehistoric monitor lizard ''Varanus priscus'' a.k.a. ''Megalania'', an extinct Australian species that was at least twice the size of the modern Komodo dragon (but in fiction tends [[PrehistoricMonster to get exaggerated in size and ferocity]] to dinosaurian proportions). Another common examples are mosasaurs, which are not truly dinosaurs but rather large, aquatic monitor lizards that may fill a role as a ThreateningShark in prehistoric-set works.

[[folder: Mythology and Religion]]

For series featuring [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs prehistoric life]], expect the prehistoric monitor lizard ''Varanus priscus'' a.k.a. ''Megalania'', an extinct Australian species that was at least twice the size of the modern Komodo dragon (but in fiction tends [[PrehistoricMonster to get exaggerated in size and ferocity]] to dinosaurian proportions). Another common examples are mosasaurs, which are not truly dinosaurs but rather large, aquatic monitor lizards that may fill a role as a ThreateningShark in prehistoric-set works.

SubTrope of ReptilesAreAbhorrent. For monitor lizards pretending to be dinosaurs, see {{Slurpasaur}}. Contrast LovableLizard, for more benign lizards-- needless to say, monitor lizards are rarely used for that trope. See also SnakesAreSinister and NeverSmileAtACrocodile for other villainous reptiles, as well as StockDinosaurs for their ancient cousins the Mosasaurs.

* ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPandaLegendsOfAwesomeness'': Averted by Master Chao of the Sacred Onyx Council, an [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure occasionally strict but generally benevolent]] kung fu master who appears to be an [[SeldomSeenSpecies Asian golden monitor.]]

In fiction, monitors will usually be a generic kind. If a real-life species does get chosen, it usually be the Komodo dragon; this is partially because Komodos are the largest kind of monitor and look rather intimidating, partially because they're the only species of monitor lizard known to (rarely) kill and eat humans, and partly because it's [[SmallTaxonomyPools the only species audiences will be familiar with]]. Even so, Komodo dragons are a SeldomSeenSpecies especially compared to geckos, chameleons, iguanas, and even frilled lizards.

* ''Series/{{Jessie}}'': Subverted, by Mrs. Kipling, Ravi's pet Asian Water Monitor. Whilst she is aggressive and scary, Jessie screamed when she first saw her, baring the occasional joke she's treated like just a big docile and slightly anti-social pet. She at one point saves Bertram and Luke, by eating a venomous spider that had invested the apartment.

* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot2CortexStrikesBack'': The Komodo Bros. are a DualBoss, supposedly two of N. Brio's henchmen that try to block your path from helping Dr. Cortex.

What also doesn't help their reputation is their diet, as they're often seen as [[ScavengersAreScum scavengers]] due to the amount of carrion they eat. In fact, for a long period of time it was assumed that this reason why they had such nasty bites, where the deadly bacteria they picked up from carrion was responsible for taking down prey. However, later studies conducted in the mid-to-late 2000s debunked this theory, with it instead being revealed that monitors are among the few lizard species with a venomous bite. The venom further adds to their villainous reputation, because PoisonIsEvil.

* ''WesternAnimation/GeorgeAndMartha'' has a recurring character who is a Komodo dragon. He is not malicious but rather creepy, and has a habit of popping up right behind George.

* Averted in ''Radio/JohnFinnemoresSouvenirProgramme'', in which one sketch posits that the dragon confronted by UsefulNotes/SaintGeorge [[{{Demythification}} was actually a Komodo dragon]], and that they're [[GoKartingWithBowser good friends in real life]]. Saint George pretended to kill the dragon for publicity reasons, and the only conflict in the sketch is that the dragon has had difficulty getting a job [[NeverLiveItDown since most people can't look past the dragon supposedly getting killed as a reason to give him a job]]. The two part on friendly terms, since the dragon is going to be hired to serve as a model for the national flag of UsefulNotes/Wales.

* ''Film/{{Skyfall}}'': Komodo dragons act as the SharkPool. Whilst Bond escapes them, they end up devouring an unfortunate {{mook|s}}.

Komodo dragons are generally portrayed as powerful, dangerous {{Super Persistent Predator}}s; fitting with their intimidating appearance and size. "Lesser" monitors, conversely, are often portrayed as sneaky, thieving slimeballs, with a particular taste for eggs. Obviously this adds to their negative portrayal, since eggs are effectively other animals' kids-to-be.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheRescuersDownUnder'' features [[PunnyName Joanna, a goanna]] who serves as Percival [=McLeach=]'s RightHandAttackDog who has a massive appetite for eggs, including the eggs of the giant eagle Marahute.

SubTrope of ReptilesAreAbhorrent. For monitor lizards pretending to be dinosaurs, see {{Slurpasaur}}. Contrast LovableLizard, for more benign lizards. See also SnakesAreSinister and NeverSmileAtACrocodile for other villainous reptiles, as well as StockDinosaurs for their ancient cousins the Mosasaurs.

Komodo dragons are generally portrayed as powerful, dangerous predators; fitting with their intimidating appearance and size. "Lesser" monitors, conversely, are often portrayed as sneaky, thieving slimeballs, with a particular taste for eggs. Obviously this adds to their negative portrayal, since eggs are effectively other animals' kids-to-be.

* ''Film/JurassicWorld'':
** [[AllThereInTheManual According to supplementary material]], the raptors have monitor lizard DNA mixed in, presumably explaining their lack of feathers.
** There's also the park's ''Mosasaurus'', effectively a sixty-foot-long marine monitor lizard that ''eats great white sharks''. It's actually a downplayed example -- the only time it kills human is by accident, and in the climax, it proves instrumental in defeating the Indominus Rex.

* ''Film/KingKong2005'': While lost in the [[EverythingTryingToKillYou vast and deadly]] jungle of Skull Island, Ann is attacked by several huge lizards that are clearly supposed to be beefed-up komodos. These monitors are in turn [[AlwaysABiggerFish devoured]] by a TRexpy, which hasn't had its fill yet and proceeds to chase after Ann too.
* ''Curse of the Komodo'' is a Film/SyfyChannelOriginalMovie involving Komodo dragons which have been enlarged to sauropod proportions by secret genetic experiments on a remote Pacific island, turning them into bulletproof monsters capable of keeping pace with a speeding car and venom that can ''turn people into zombies.''
* ''Film/{{Skyfall}}'': Komodo dragons act as the SharkPool. Whilst Bond escapes them, they end up devouring an unfortunate {{mook|s}}.

* ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPandaLegendsOfAwesomeness'': Averted by Master Chao of the Sacred Onyx Council, an [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure occasionally strict but generally benevolent]] kung fu master who appears to be an [[SeldomSeenSpecies Asian golden monitor.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheRescuersDownUnder'' features [[PunnyName Joanna, a goanna]] who serves as Percival [=McLeach=]'s RightHandAttackDog who has a massive appetite for eggs, including the eggs of the giant eagle Marahute. Also provides the page image.

* Creator/IrwinAllen's execrable 1960 version of ''Literature/TheLostWorld'' climaxes in an encounter with a gigantic and voracious monitor lizard, although [[{{Slurpasaur}} we're told]] it's a TyrannosaurusRex. The movie also features a fight between another monitor lizard and a crocodile that are, allegedly, also dinosaurs.