Top Ten characters

Empire Magazine has released its top 100 characters as voted for by readers.

Here's the top ten:

10. The Terminator
9. Forrest Gump
8. Han Solo
7. Tyler Durden (Huh. I had no idea who this was. Maybe I'd better see Fight Club)
6. James Bond
5. Dr Hannibal Lecter
4. Captain Jack Sparrow
3. Darth Vader
2. The Joker (Heath Ledger's version.)
and at Number One -

Indiana Jones! "He's Henry Junior! We named the dog Indiana!" Bwahaha!

I'd say they're all, with the exception of Tyler Durden, all worthy top ten characters, though I think Gollum should be there. His character and the technology behind his creation is simply amazing... my precious.

Each character has one defining moment that encompasses the whole personality. For me, it's like this:

10. "I'll be back." And he just keeps on returning. I remember thinking "What's it gonna take to kill this guy?"

9. "Run, Forrest, Run!" A testament to the idea that you don't have to be a genius, or especially talented, to be successful or happy.

8. What can you say about Han; a street smart, handsome, brave and lovable pirate with terrific flaws.

7. Don't know this dude.

6. "Bond, James Bond." As if it should be obvious who he is. The best parts of the movies are the gadgets. Gotta love 'em for all the political incorrectness of the rest.

5. Dr Hannibal Lecter. Didn't scare me in the book or the movie, though Anthony Hopkins cold emptiness was brilliantly portrayed. I guess it's the 'Chianti' remark that's most memorable.

4. Captain Jack Sparrow. The movies were okay, but nothing special. Johnny Depp's portrayal of a constantly drunk pirate was entertaining though.

3. "I am your father, Luke." Noooo-oooo! Wasn't Darth great? The simple ordinariness of evil. A dichotomy of good and bad. Everything he did was to ensure the continuation of the Empire and the stability of the galaxy, and yet... we cheer for the underdogs.

2. I've yet to see this film, so I can't comment.

1. Indy. A perfect character with good bits and flaws. If you look closer, he's a grave robber, stealing antiquities, but he has flaws we can relate to like his fear of snakes even after escaping the traps and poison arrows. Gotta love him.