JC's Top 5 - Movie Villains

In any movie, the hero is only as heroic as his nemesis is evil.  Far too many movies have been ruined because the antagonist was just plain lame.

With that in mind, here is my list of the 5 greatest movie villains of all time!

5. King Edward the Longshanks

 

Movie - Braveheart

Actor - Patrick McGoohan

What makes him the baddest man in England - Two words - Prima Nocta.  King Edward the Longshanks invoked Prima Nocta essentially giving English Lords sexual rights to Scottish women on the night they were married. 

Memorable Quotes:

The trouble with Scotland, is that it's full of Scots.

Bring me Wallace. Alive if possible, dead... just as good.

If we can't get them out, we'll breed them out.

(When Longshanks orders his archers to attack the Scots, one of his officers questions whether they will hit their own men or not) Yes... but we'll hit theirs as well. We have reserves. Attack.

4. Khan Noonien Singh

Movie - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Actor - Ricardo Montalban

What makes him the baddest man in the Alpha Quadrant - In possession of a Starship and the most powerful weapon ever made (Genesis), Khan wasn't satisfied.  He still wanted to ruin Admiral Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise for marooning him on Ceti-Alpha Five.  It was ultimately his undoing, but it's refreshing to see a villain who isn't driven by power, money, lust or greed - but rather by good old fashioned revenge!

Memorable Quotes:

Ah, Kirk, my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? It is very cold in space.

I've done far worse than kill you, I've hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her. Marooned for all eternity, at the center of a dead planet. Buried alive

Surely, I have made my meaning plain. I mean to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I deprived your ship of power, and when I swing around, I mean to deprive you of your life.

3. Hans Gruber

Movie - Die Hard

Actor - Alan Rickman

What makes him the baddest terrorist in L.A. - Don't be fooled by his education and his ridiculously expensive tailored suits, Hans Gruber is cold and calculating.  He won't hesitate to kill you (I'm going to count to three....), thinks fast on his feet (Clay, Bill Clay...), and is absolutely ruthless (Shoot the glass).  When his best laid plans go awry (hello John McClane), he can improvise with the best of them.

Memorable Quotes:

When they touch down, we'll blow the roof, they'll spend a month sifting through rubble, and by the time they figure out what went wrong, we'll be sitting on a beach, earning twenty percent.

I am going to count to 3, there won't be a 4.  Give me the code.

I wanted this to be professional, efficient, adult, cooperative. Not a lot to ask. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way... so he won't be joining us for the rest of his life.

2. The Joker

Movie - The Dark Knight

Actor - Heath Ledger

What makes him the baddest man in Gotham - The Joker is just plain crazy.  A self proclaimed agent of chaos, he even had the mob on the run.  The makeup and the scars (do you wanna know how he got em'?) give him an alarming look, but it's his absolute disregard for life that makes him so dangerous.  Plus, The Joker had some of the best lines ever delivered in a motion picture! 

Memorable Quotes:

I believe whatever doesn't kill you, simply makes you........stranger.

This city deserves a better class of criminal, and I'm going to give it to them.

Wanna know how I got these scars? My father was... a drinker. And a fiend. And one night he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn't like that. Not-one-bit. So - me watching - he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it! Turns to me, and he says, "why so serious?" Comes at me with the knife... "Why so serious?" He sticks the blade in my mouth... "Let's put a smile on that face!" And...Why so serious?

Do you want to know why I use a knife? Guns are too quick. You can't savor all the... little emotions. In... you see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are. So in a way, I know your friends better than you ever did. Would you like to know which of them were cowards?

Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it. You know, I just... do things.

1. Darth Vader

Movie - Star Wars

Actor - David Prowse, James Earl Jones (voice)

What makes him the baddest man in the galaxy - From the very moment we were introduced to Darth Vader aboard the Tantive IV, it was clear he was no ordinary villain.  The very sight of Vader was terrifying - the mask, the breathing, and his sheer size.  And it wasn't just the Rebels that needed to be wary of Vader's temper, his own officers had very little room for error serving the Dark Lord - just ask Captain Needa or Admiral Ozzel.  However the piece de resistance, Vader tried to turn his own son to the dark side in order to further his agenda of taking over the galaxy!

Memorable Quotes:

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of The Force.

The force is with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.

Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.

Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.

I am altering the deal, pray I don't alter it any further.

You don't know the power of the Dark Side!

No.  *I* am your Father.