Top Ten Movie Characters, part 1

Jul 14th, 2009

by Dan.

Way back when in the mists of time, James from Luke, I am your father tagged me with a movie meme. He’s probably forgotten all about by now, but I assure you he did. It’s a good meme and I’ve been meaning to get round to it for a while now, but it just never seemed to happen.

However being quarantined at home alone for three days with what I now suspect to be faux swine flu has a way of encouraging you to find things to occupy your time. I’ve watched more Discovery Home and Leisure this weekend than since before the kids were born, and had more baths than I’ve ever had in my entire lifetime (that would be three then).

So here is my highly considered Top Ten Movie Characters of all time.

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10 – Matt Hooper, Jaws

“Well, this is not a boat accident! And it wasn’t any propeller; and it wasn’t any coral reef; and it wasn’t Jack the Ripper! It was a shark.”

I don’t know why I like Hooper so much, but I do. I think it’s probably something to do with his heroic academic geekery combined with a certain twinkle in his eye that Dreyfuss brings to most of his roles. Plus beard and glasses, can’t go wrong with that combo.

9 – PC Danny Butterman, Hot Fuzz

Is it true that there’s a point on a man’s head where if you shoot it, it will blow up?

For the “By the power of Grayskull!” line alone Nick frost deserves an Oscar. PC Butterman is the wide eyed innocent 13 year old boy that we all used to be. Well, aI used to be anyway. If it’s possible he’s even more sympathetic and loveable than Frost’s other gun obsessed character, Mike Watt from Spaced. And at the end of the film Cuntstable Fanny Batterbum (as his colleagues call him) gets to be the hero he’s always wanted to be. Great stuff.

8 – John McClane, Die Hard

“Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker.”

bruce

The ultimate wisecracking big balled 80’s action hero. Is there anything more that needs to be said?

7. Han Solo, Star Wars

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

I find it easy to forget sometimes how much of a reluctant hero Han is. Throughout the first two films at least he’s in constant battle with his conscience, and his greed and self preservation instincts sometimes even look like they are getting the upper hand. It’s only in Return of the Jedi that he gives in and grudgingly accepts his responsibility. Solo is the ultimate charming rogue, and a part Harrison Ford was born to play.

6 – Jane Cobb, Serenity

“Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don’t you think?”

This is cheating a bit as I’m basing my adoration of Jane on the Firefly TV show just as much as the Serenity movie. But I’m unrepentant, as Jane is quite frankly magnificent. I would have chosen Mal too, but as he is basically Han Solo played by another actor I didn’t want to repeat myself. Jane is rude, violent, amoral, macho, and crass, yet he’s possibly one of the finest comic characters ever created. Mr Whedon I salute you.

——————–

And that’s enough for today I think. Time for me to go and take another bath. Come back tomorrow for part two of the list.

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Posted in: Lists.

26 Comments on “Top Ten Movie Characters, part 1”

#1 Lee
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

Matt Hooper! That’s so cool. I quite like that character myself, although I might prefer Brody.

With Han, Jayne and John McClane in the lower end of the top ten I can’t wait to see the top five!
Lee´s last blog ..ARG! this will drive me crazy

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
@Lee, there are some icons in the next five, but a couple of curveballs too I think

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#2 SingleParentDad
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

Is Bolt at number one?
SingleParentDad´s last blog ..Who Got a Black Eye?

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
@SingleParentDad, shhh… don’t soil it for everyone else.

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#3 Rol
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Oh dear, I’m going to have to do this, aren’t I?

Still, at least I know my number one.

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
@Rol, I think I tagged you in tomorrows post actually (I wrote these on Sunday).

But by your rules doesn’t that mean you can’t do it?

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#4 Avitable
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pm

I might have to do one of these myself. The first half is pretty good, and now my expectations have been raised for part 2.
Avitable´s last blog ..My review of Bruno (spoiler-free)

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
@Avitable, and now I’m worried that my second half will be a complete let down. Especially as the people in it are a little less action packed in general than those in the first half of the list.

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#5 Kevin Spencer
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Excellent list. I think I may have preferred Nick Frost in Shaun Of The Dead but he was absolutely hysterical in Hot Fuzz as well so it’s all good. I can’t believe you didn’t add Sandra Bullock for her role in The Net. Come on now, please tell me she’s in your top 5.
Kevin Spencer´s last blog ..Shortest Possible Reviews I Can Muster

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
@Kevin Spencer, Yeah, she’s in their Kevin. along with Mr Bean and the Steve Martin version of Bilko.

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#6 gail
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

Now I know you’re not dead, I have to say any man who can stand on the top of a Jumbo jet, hurtling down a very, very, very long runway in a blizzard whilst fighting another man has to be No.1

That’ll be John McLaine by the way
gail´s last blog ..

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
@gail, you make a good argument. And McLaine IS in my top ten so you know I rate him highly. but I suspect you may be persuaded by tomorrow’s number 1.

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#7 James (SeattleDad)
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

You are right. I had forgot that I tagged you. Nice job though.

The addition of Jane is a classic. Love him. In fact I am thinking or errecting a statue of him on my block and creating a folk song about him while I am at it.
James (SeattleDad)´s last blog ..What’s Up Bro?

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
@James (SeattleDad), a statue eh? Now theirs an idea! Complete with woolly hat i hope.

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#8 Idaho Dad
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 10:01 pm

I’m guessing Harrison Ford makes another appearance in your top 5.

I might compile my own list, as I’m looking for ways to continue putting off those interview questions.

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Dan Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
@Idaho Dad, my lips are sealed. But I’m anticipating you liking my choice for number 2.

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#9 Tara@Sticky Fingers
on Jul 14th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

I big puffy heart these sorts of lists.
But how the heck do you choose just 10? It’s no wonder it’s taken you so long.
Indiana has to be up there too right? No the rubbish one in search of crystal skulls, the original snake hating, bantering with his dad one.
And Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City has got to be up there too in your list, yes?
Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Review: Seriously Mo Willems, we think you’re the man

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Dan Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 7:40 am
@Tara@Sticky Fingers, Damn! Why didn’t I remember to put Carrie Bradshaw on my list.

Oh yeah, now I remember why….

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#10 Nat
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 3:40 am

How much did we love Hot Fuzz — great choice. (Loved the Zombie one… Shawn of the Dead???)
Nat´s last blog ..Artist

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Dan Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 7:41 am
@Nat, Simon Pegg is a genius. I’m very much looking forward to the next one in the sort of trilogy (which i think is a apocalypse movie)

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#11 Jo Beaufoix
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

Brilliant list, especially 7 and 9. And I hope SPD doesn’t soil anything. ;D

And Carry Bradshaw will be on my list too Tara. :D
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..I drove a bus

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Dan Reply:
July 17th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
@Jo Beaufoix, Carry Bradshaw is on a very different list of mine.

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#12 Holmes
on Jul 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

Great selection. I’ve particularly always liked Jayne simply because of how complicated he is, and how Mal is taking a chance every time he trusts him. Hell, he sold out his old crew and came on board with Mal in the first place because of an offer of better pay. But it’s hard not to like him.
Holmes´s last blog ..H Disorder

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Dan Reply:
July 17th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
@Holmes, Jane is fantastic. I was really pleased to see Adam Baldwin in Chuck. When a series I like is canceled i always worry about the actors getting more work.

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#13 MC
on Jul 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 pm

I think the thing that makes Butterman such an epic character is his struggle and conflict about what he inevitably has to do. He becomes a real policeman through the events of Hot Fuzz, and that inner 13 year old sort of grows up throughout the film.
MC´s last blog ..My Top 10 Movie Characters

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Dan Reply:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 pm
@MC, yes there certainly is a lot of depth to him if you dig for it.

Personally I mainly like him for the “power of greyskull” line though:)
Dan´s last blog ..My morning constitutional

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Top Ten Movie Characters, part 1

10 – Matt Hooper, Jaws

9 – PC Danny Butterman, Hot Fuzz

8 – John McClane, Die Hard

7. Han Solo, Star Wars

6 – Jane Cobb, Serenity

26 Comments on “Top Ten Movie Characters, part 1”

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