The
great J.D. Lafrance, who writes at the indispensable blog Radiator Heaven,
contributes our first Reader’s Top Ten list of Thursday.
Here
are J.D.’s choices for the ten greatest science fiction film characters:
1. Darth Vader (Star
Wars franchise)
Hands down, THE most
iconic character in science fiction cinema. His first appearance in Star
Wars still gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. He's got it all -
the badass outfit, the Jedi powers, and THAT voice. Raspy breathing coupled
with that booming authoritative voice. The ultimate villain and whose story
sees a complete arc throughout the prequel movies.
2. Hal 9000 (2001:
A Space Odyssey, 2010: The Year We Make Contact)
Still the gold standard
for artificial intelligence computers in SF movies. The voice is what does it
for me. At times, HAL almost sounds bored of his human companions and changes
ever so subtly over the course of the film as he becomes murderous.
3. Ellen Ripley (Alien franchise)
One thing you can say
about this character is that she's a survivor, lasting through numerous movies,
getting killed and then resurrected. She is smart, resourceful and is more than
capable of taking care of herself and those she loves. Ellen is the entire package.
4. Klaatu (The
Day the Earth Stood Still)
A philosophical alien
often imitated never equaled. His benevolent vibe is pretty awe-inspiring and
yet he is also vulnerable to humanity's ugliness. What a fascinating character.
5. Sarah Connor (The
Terminator franchise)
Another survivor. She
comes from meager beginnings but by the end of the first Terminator movie she
becomes committed to a vision of future she believes is unavoidable and commits
to her cause completely. Easily one of the most inspiring characters and much
like Ellen Ripley is smart, resourceful and can kick ass.
6. Rick Deckard (Blade Runner)
Of course, there's the
whole is he or isn't he a replicant debate, which is endlessly fascinating. I
like to think that he is, which then makes all of his actions in the film even
more fascinating. A wonderfully flawed character - a world-weary cop thrown
into a dystopic Cyberpunk world. Such a fascinatingly, complex character as
well.
7. Neo (The
Matrix franchise)
A computer hacker that
becomes an enlightened being capable of impressive feats of heroism. Not only
is he the savior of his race but he's willing to sacrifice everything to make
it happen. His arc over The Matrix movies is fascinating to watch, even the weak
third one.
8. James T. Kirk (Star
Trek franchise)
Normally associated with
T.V., I think Kirk's cinematic output is just as important no more so than in
WRATH OF KHAN where we see him at perhaps his most vulnerable - riddled with
self-doubts, he takes a very personal journey on that one and we see the whole
spectrum of emotions as he goes toe-to-toe with an old nemesis.
9. Snake Plissken (Escape
from NY, Escape from LA)
An anti-authoritarian
loner stuck in a futureworld he could care less about. He's the ultimate badass
protagonist who spawned countless imitations but there can only be one. He
doesn't care about The Man, fights for the underdog and isn't afraid to throw
it all away to make a point.
10. Predator (Predator
franchise)
One of the most iconic
aliens ever put on film whose power and mystique cannot be ruined even by those
crappy Alien vs. Predator films. They are the ultimate big game
hunters but meet their match when they come to Earth. They look fantastic and
their perchance for sampling and then playing back our own voices, albeit
distorted, is creepy as hell.
I think J.D. nailed it
with his description of Darth Vader, harking back to the opening moments of Star
Wars. That moment, as J.D.
accurately described it, rocked my entire generation back on its psychic
heels. Vader storms into that Blockade
Runner, colossal and commanding, and you feel fear. You also feel wonder. What is he? A man? A machine? An alien? A truly great character.
I also think that J.D.
makes an outstanding case for the big-screen incarnation of Captain Kirk,
referencing his character growth in The Wrath of Khan (1982). If The Motion Picture is Spock’s movie,
then Khan is Kirk’s, no doubt about it.
I am also pleased to see
the Predator get some love on this list.
I feel that the creature is actually more interesting than many of the
films it has been featured in!