For decades our TV screens have offered an escape to our sometimes mundane lives. From big Hollywood blockbusters to brooding low budget indie films, nothing stirs up the imagination like a good movie or TV show. As a child, I spent nights on my parents Akaro Family Lounge growing up dreaming of becoming a movie star. Sometimes I could feel myself being pulled into another universe when I loaded up the VHS player.
As I grew older, I realized that I was never going to be an actor. An actor’s life seemed lonely and unsure, a far cry from the characters I aspired to be. Perhaps the biggest skill of an actor is to embody the character, transform into another being for a few hours. Whether or not this being could ever exist in our world didn’t matter to me; from the comfort of my lounge, I imagined what wild lives these characters live.
These wild characters themselves influenced me more than any friend or family member would (sorry mum). Why would anyone aspire to be a football player or a politician when they could fight aliens on a distant planet? Forget Ronaldo, here are five characters everyone dreamed of being when they where kids.
Dr. Who
The last remaining time lord (or is he?) The doctor’s adventures are legendary. From funny and heartwarming to downright terrifying, the doctor jokes his way through some intense situations. The doctor’s wit, reflexes, and alien intelligence make them a formidable foe, and the perfect friend and ally. The doctor was never malicious or spiteful, and he/she always fought for what’s right.
Tyler Durden
If you haven’t seen the film “fight club,” I urge you do go out and do so. Brad Pitt is equal parts intimidating and affable, with washboard abs and an ever-present cigarette dangling from his mouth, what teen didn’t want to be the lanky menace, Tyler Durden? With a rebellious streak a mile long and a physique resembling a coiled spring, Tyler was the cool fighter we all wish we could be.
Princess Elsa
She’s a princess who can control snow and ice, what more do you want? Oh, she can sing? Yeah ok, I’m sold. Elsa’s icy demeanor and brilliant powers re-ignited a princess fever in the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Other Disney princesses look lame in comparison to the snow slinging Elsa. Just don’t play me “let it snow” again, ok?
Anything Arnie
With so many iconic scenes and one liners, it’s hard to pick my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger character… so I went with all of them! With a legendary physique and an unusual way of speaking, Arnie took over our screens in the ’80s, and we never looked back. From the Terminator to Douglas Quaide, no other actor has played so many cult classic characters.
The Marvel Universe.
For a film buff who loves escaping into fantasy worlds, the Marvel universe has never really grabbed me. Is it because the good and bad guys are so clearly defined? Maybe its because every movie they end up fighting a CGI blob who destroys half of new York. Call me cynical, but how can you think the good guys won’t win? It all seemed very basic to me.
My lack of Marvel enthusiasm aside, there’s no denying the impact these movies have made with children and adults everywhere. Superheroes are just cool, and there’s no denying it. The Marvel movies are very well made, with huge budgets and plenty of screen time allocated for fan-favorite characters. It’s no wonder that kids want to be their favorite Marvel heroes.
Fictional characters are easy to dismiss as fantasy, but to many people, they are so much more. We see ourselves reflected in these characters as well as what we would like to be.
