10 Most Memorable Movie Characters Ever
In no particular order, here are 10 of the most memorable movie characters ever to grace the silver screen.
James Bond: Sean Connery set the benchmark for Ian Flemming’s, suave, yet morally detached character. Bond is interested in few things: killing baddies, gambling, nifty gadgets and wooing the ladies. Men want to be him; women want to be with him. Lucky bastard.
Austin Powers: Mike Meyers created an absolute beauty with Austin Powers. Powers is colourful, spontaneous, groovy and one very sexy beast. A character that takes all James Bond’s qualities – and gives them a swingin’, shagadelic twist.
Captain Jack Sparrow: Less of a movie character creation, and more of a portrayal of what Keith Richards would be if he were a pirate. Given how old Keith is, he probably was a pirate at one point in his life. Johnny Depp plays Sparrow with such brilliant nuance that he alone is managing to keep the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise afloat.
The Terminator: Playing a robot, Arnold Schwarzenegger was able to display his entire range of acting ability. Nevertheless, the Terminator was as intimidating as he was lovable, and with a range of memorable lines – he deserves his spot as one of the greatest movie characters ever.
Neo: The Matrix will be remembered for three things. Mind bending special effects, a mind bending plot, and looking cooooool. With a leather trench coat, dark sunnies and an impassive disposition, Neo makes looking gothic really cool. However, there are many who realise that this fashion only really works in the movie world of the Matrix, and in the real world – trying to look like Neo only makes you look like a bit of a loser.
Don Vito Corleone: The Godfather himself. Not much else needs to be said.
Dirty Harry: Master of the squinty-eyed mumbly method of acting, Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry is easily his most recognisable character. The defining line: “Feeling lucky punk?” is now cliché.
Hannibal Lecter: How can you not love an intellectual who enjoys fine literature, art and eating people’s faces? Playing one of the most memorable characters in movie history, Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal the Cannibal is subtle, charming and haunting.
Beatrix Kiddo: A pissed off, arse-kicking psycho who is adept at de-limbing Asian mafia members, punching holes through coffins and pulling out people’s eyeballs. Uma Thurman perfects the art of being a crazed killing machine.
Alex DeLarge: Another raving lunatic, but this guy gets off on listening to Beethoven, drinking milk and beating up homeless people. Stanley Kubrick nailed the ethos of this character with the memorable scene where Alex fantasises about being a Roman soldier beating Jesus during his crucifixion. Malcolm McDowell’s cheeky little smirk neatly tops off this sociopathic head-case. My hero.
James Bond: Sean Connery set the benchmark for Ian Flemming’s, suave, yet morally detached character. Bond is interested in few things: killing baddies, gambling, nifty gadgets and wooing the ladies. Men want to be him; women want to be with him. Lucky bastard.
Austin Powers: Mike Meyers created an absolute beauty with Austin Powers. Powers is colourful, spontaneous, groovy and one very sexy beast. A character that takes all James Bond’s qualities – and gives them a swingin’, shagadelic twist.
Captain Jack Sparrow: Less of a movie character creation, and more of a portrayal of what Keith Richards would be if he were a pirate. Given how old Keith is, he probably was a pirate at one point in his life. Johnny Depp plays Sparrow with such brilliant nuance that he alone is managing to keep the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise afloat.
The Terminator: Playing a robot, Arnold Schwarzenegger was able to display his entire range of acting ability. Nevertheless, the Terminator was as intimidating as he was lovable, and with a range of memorable lines – he deserves his spot as one of the greatest movie characters ever.
Neo: The Matrix will be remembered for three things. Mind bending special effects, a mind bending plot, and looking cooooool. With a leather trench coat, dark sunnies and an impassive disposition, Neo makes looking gothic really cool. However, there are many who realise that this fashion only really works in the movie world of the Matrix, and in the real world – trying to look like Neo only makes you look like a bit of a loser.
Don Vito Corleone: The Godfather himself. Not much else needs to be said.
Dirty Harry: Master of the squinty-eyed mumbly method of acting, Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry is easily his most recognisable character. The defining line: “Feeling lucky punk?” is now cliché.
Hannibal Lecter: How can you not love an intellectual who enjoys fine literature, art and eating people’s faces? Playing one of the most memorable characters in movie history, Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal the Cannibal is subtle, charming and haunting.
Beatrix Kiddo: A pissed off, arse-kicking psycho who is adept at de-limbing Asian mafia members, punching holes through coffins and pulling out people’s eyeballs. Uma Thurman perfects the art of being a crazed killing machine.
Alex DeLarge: Another raving lunatic, but this guy gets off on listening to Beethoven, drinking milk and beating up homeless people. Stanley Kubrick nailed the ethos of this character with the memorable scene where Alex fantasises about being a Roman soldier beating Jesus during his crucifixion. Malcolm McDowell’s cheeky little smirk neatly tops off this sociopathic head-case. My hero.
Film Peek
Gizmo Peek
Film Peek Forum
I pretty much agree with you, but were's Patrick Bateman or Ethan Hunt? Yea I see, they're 11 and 12.
cya
//filmpeeker
Travel Adventures
The questioning mind
Formula 1
The Social Centre
I realised whilst thinking about this list that there werent many female characters present.The likes of Jackie Brown, Mrs Robinson and Scarlett O'Hara all came close - but in reality there are many more memorable leading roles by men. Its just the way it is.
Movies and Life
Great post and you must've read my mind...as I was scrolling down I was wondering where Alex DeLarge was and then he appeared. What a charismatic sociopath he was.
Tracy
Film & TV on DVD
Here are 10 off the top of my head that I dig and are also prominent in the public eye.
Bruce- The shark in Jaws
Norman Bates-Morman bates/Psycho
Frank Bullitt- Steve McQueen/Bullitt
Cool Hand Luke- Paul Newman/Cool Hand Luke
Han Solo- Harrison Ford/Star Wars
Jake and Elwood Blues/The Blues Brothers
Randal P McMurphy-Jack Nicholson/Cuckoos nest
Ripley-Sigourney Weaver/Alien
Ash-Bruce campbell/Evil Dead
Donnie Darko-Jake Gylenhauul/Donnie Darko
Film & TV on DVD
Vivien Rutledge- Lauren Bacall/The Big Sleep
Ann Darrow-Fay Wray/King Kong
Maureen O Sullivan-Jane/Tarzan
Honey Ryder-Ursulla Andress/Dr No
Barberella-Jane Fonda/Barberella
Sarah Connor-Linda Hamilton/Terminator
Laurie Strode-Jamie Lee Curtis/Halloween
Sissy Spacek-Carrie
Patricia Arquette- Alabama Worley/True Romance
Juliette Lewis-Mallory Knox/Natural Born Killers
Formula 1
The Social Centre
All good choices, but like you with my list, there are some which I dont particularly like - but all are indeed memorable.