Top 10 Movie Heroes

This week, I would like to examine the top ten movie heroes. Before I begin, I would like to clarify a few things. First, I am only choosing from movies I have seen, so if these decisions are based off of my experiences and not from reading movie reviews. Second, I am not looking at the anti-hero character archetype, nor am I looking at protagonists.  I am just examining heroes. By heroes, I mean the character who saves the day, or the character who rights the wrongs in the world. Third, this list may contain spoilers, so please only read at your own risk. Lastly, if you have any issues or suggestions for my list, please feel free to comment.

10. Shrek- Shrek

He is just like an onion!

To begin my list, I am starting with a childhood favorite of mine, Shrek. Shrek is the lovable green Ogre from the swamp who reluctantly goes on a quest to save a princess for a prince. He starts off being irritable and just wanting to be left alone, however he takes on the mantle of being a hero when he realizes he is in love with Fiona. He saves the day when he crashes the wedding and saves the princess, making Duloq safe for fairy tale creatures once again.

9. Gladiator- Maximus

He is going to win in a fight!

The fall from Commander of the North to pitiful slave/gladiator was great for Maximus. He found his family killed, all because he was named regent by Emperor Marcus Ariuleius. This caused Commodus to kill his father and take the throne. Maximus fights his way from a small town in Africa all the way to Rome as a gladiator. Commodus cannot get Maximus killed and nor can any of his warriors. Maximus duels Commodus while being poisoned and still manages to take down the evil ruler and free Rome.

8. Terminator 2: Judgment- Sarah Connor

Don't mess with her!

The lady whose son would lead the war with the machines sure knew how to save the day. Although the Terminator might be the more memorable character of this movie, Sarah has most of the lines. She has a chance to end the war, by killing the man who will create Skynet, but ultimately she chooses the moral high ground and does not. She learns to trust her enemy, the Terminator and she raises her son to lead the humans.

7. 12 Angry Men- Juror #8.

Democracy at its finest!

Heroes puts the needs of others over themselves. This is the shining quality of Juror #8. When the deliberations begin, he is the only person who speaks out against finding the defendant guilty. He just wants to review the facts, which makes the other jurors angry. But as he forces the other jurors to investigate the case more deeply, he slowly turns them to his side, that the defendant is not guilty. Juror #8 manages to save the life of a young man he has never met, nor will he ever meet, because he put their needs above his.

6. Casino Royale (2006)- James Bond

Bond. James Bond!

007 reporting for duty. This was my personal favorite James Bond movie and I believe Daniel Craig did an excellent job creating a witty, charming yet brave Bond. He travels the whole world, winning a poker game to bankrupt Le Chiffre and still saves the day for Great Britain. He falls in love, gets betrayed, but still does not give up trying to save Vesper. This movie is the pinnacle of James Bond showing he is not just the top secret agent, but a world hero.

5. The Dark Knight Rises- Bruce Wayne/Batman

The World's Greatest Detective

This was my favorite of the Dark Knight trilogy. This is the movie where Batman starts off as broken. He has lost Rachel, crime seems to have vanished from Gotham and he has been crippled. Quickly into the movie, he loses his fortune and he hands control over his company. But what makes Batman so great in this movie is when he has been broken and defeated by Bane, he does not give up. He makes himself stronger and he changes his motto from I fear nothing. Batman saves Gotham and seems to make the ultimate sacrifice. This has been my favorite batman.

4. Saving Private Ryan- John Miller

He is a teacher to boot!

He didn’t ask to be in Europe. He didn’t ask to find Private Ryan. He was just a school teacher who found himself on the front lines, in charge of a unit and told to find one man. Miller does not give up on his search for Ryan and refuses to allow Germans to be executed. He keeps his squad intact even when a member tries to desert. He is a humble hero.

3. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark- Indiana Jones

But he is a professor to boot!

Indy is the lovable archeologist whose endeavors save the world multiple times. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, he takes on the Nazis to ensure they cannot open the Ark of the Covenant. What makes Indy so great is his humor is spot on and his exploits are that out of fantasy. He will not destroy history, but he will go to great lengths to discover new artifacts. What makes Indy all the more great is when he isn’t off fighting Nazi’s, he is teaching kids.

2. Rocky IV- Rocky

A real American hero!

Rocky is the comeback kid. Everyone can relate to him. His philosophy isn’t how hard you can hit, its how hard you can get hit and stand back up. Rocky is the American hero who embodies the American spirit of fighting for what you believe in. He fights for his country, he fights because he loves to fight, he fights because he needs to fight. He avenges the death of his rival Apollo Creed and takes down Ivan Drago.

1. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King- Aragorn

A true hero among heroes!

Aragorn has been the hero throughout the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He has been the noble soul who has protected the weak and has fought evil. He is reluctant to take back Gondor, because he is afraid of wielding power. However, to save Middle-Earth, Aragorn reclaims his Kingdom and wields his power with a pure heart. He is the definitive hero in cinema