A Few Of My Favorite Things, Part Three

Hi All,
Now we come to the most difficult list: My Favorite Film Characters. I’ve been in love with movies ever since I was four years old, sitting in the theater watching ‘Star Wars.’ As evidenced by my Adult Geekiness, I never ‘quite’ got over the experience of seeing villains, heroes, adventure, and mind-blowing special effects. As time has gone on, I’ve found myself being overwhelmed by a great number of film characters. Some of these came from the novels that preceded them (‘Lord of the Rings’), but most were invented just for such celluloid greatness.

For the purpose of this list, I’m going to attempt to name my favorites. There are a wealth to pick from. But I think I can do it. I’ll forego listing every Star Wars character since that could be a list unto itself (‘Favorite Star Wars Characters’…. Aurra Sing, anyone?). But instead I’ll just list the top two. Because they really are my two favorite characters ever.

My Favorite Film Characters

1) Darth Vader (from all six ‘Star Wars’ films). Simply, the greatest villain ever invented. The whole “I am your father” scene has been done over so many times, by so many people; it’s become a part of the pop culture canon. Some argued that the new prequels ruined Vader’s reputation. I disagree. I liked knowing he was a normal man first, and what made him turn to the Dark Side. His greatness wasn’t that he was ‘evil.’ His greatness was that he was a Force (no pun intended) all his own. You said the name ‘Darth Vader’ and people knew you meant business. He was The Emperor’s henchman, but a hell of a henchman he was.

2) Han Solo (from the original ‘Star Wars’ films). If Vader was the Ultimate Bad Guy, Han was the Ultimate Hero. Yes, it was Luke who got all of the glory, but without Han, Luke would’ve been dead a few times over. Solo was everything I could imagine in a Hero: smart, resourceful, bold, daring, and he got the girl in the end (Can you blame her?).

3) Lt. Ellen Ripley (from ‘Aliens’). I had never seen a female heroine quite like her when I saw this film when I was 12 years old. I was immediately obsessed with this film, James Cameron (the writer/director), and Sigourney Weaver. I saw an article online recently that listed Ripley as the number one greatest movie heroine, ever. I would agree. Not only was she smart, slightly sarcastic, and a tad dark, she became maternal and gutsy at the end. If I were going to be saved by somebody, I’d want it to be Ripley.

4) Jules (from ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’). This was Demi Moore when she was showing us that she could act, as opposed to Demi Moore now, who is showing us she can marry boys. Jules was the ‘together-with-it’ woman; she was the outgoing party girl that seemed to have it all figured out. But she doesn’t have it all figured out, and that’s what makes her breakdown at the end all the more poignant. I had my room painted pink because of her. (Yeah, I had issues. Ha)

5) Sarah Conner (from ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’). Sarah evolved from a stunned waitress in the first film to the Best Arms in the World in the second. When we first meet her, she’s doing pull-ups in her room. Dr. Silberman has the new interns at the door, looking in. Sarah turns around and says, “Good Morning Dr. Silberman. How’s the knee?” And you know it’s all over. Sarah is the consummate fighter; she’s trained herself to be prepared for the inevitable end she knows will happen. Her best moment, though, is when she breaks down at Dyson’s house after trying to kill him. When she realizes that even one death is wrong, you feel agreement and irony at the same time. Once again, my man James Cameron comes through.

6) Ada McGrath (from ‘The Piano’). Ada was my Silent Muse: the woman who, filmed in eternal shades of blue by director Jane Campion, had no speaking voice but instead lived through her piano and the music she played there. There’s a reason I love Tori Amos so much (well, there’s several..); I love piano music. I love anything I’ve ever heard on a piano, except Ben Folds Five when we saw him live and he clunked out noise on it. But this film contains one of my all-time favorite scenes: When Ada lets the piano go into the ocean, and goes down with it. The look on her face as we hear the voice over (“I choose life”) sends chills.

7) Rose DeWitt-Bukater (from ‘Titanic’). I guess it’s obvious that I love stories that involve strong women coming into their own. Rose was the spoiled rich girl who just wanted to be like one of the normal people. Her rejection of her forced life and her realization of who she wanted to be was a journey that I thoroughly enjoyed. And, I loved all of that water. ;)

8) Gandalf the Grey (from ‘The Lord of the Rings’). I admit to having not read the novels. I admit to not really being overjoyed by the first installment of this trilogy. I admit that I was missing a lot. Gandalf is probably the basis for Obi-Wan, since LOTR was written long before Star Wars was. Heck, what sci-fi idea HASN’T benefited from LOTR? Not many. And of all of the characters in this wonderful series, Gandalf was the strong, wise lead. And, Ian McKellan rocks.

9) Trinity (from ‘The Matrix’). Looks great in leather, saves the guy, and just generally can do moves we all wish we could do. Trinity was a Believer; we know how I feel about those types.

10) Joe Black (from ‘Meet Joe Black’). He was Death come to Earth on Holiday. He looked like Brad Pitt and acted like a naïve man. He helped Anthony Hopkins’ character die with dignity. He learned about what’s important: that moment, the all-important moment when you realize what’s most important in this life: love.

Whew! I think I have eyestrain now.
And that will end my Trilogy of Favorite Things. For the time being. ;)

(I can't think of a funny list right now. I blame the eyestrain. ha)

Have a great day!