1. The Jedi Exile from KOTOR II. She's kind, she's determined, she's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, and in the end, I think she's more Jedi than any of the Council in that game ever were.
2. Laurie Strode from Halloween. Smart, caring, resourceful, brave, and willing to do what she can to protect the kids under her care.
3. Jamie Lloyd from Halloween 4, 5, and 6. I just find her story to be heartbreaking, but she's also resourceful, clever, brave, loyal and honestly, a really well-done kid character. I know I was drawn in by her when I first watched Halloween 5 (yeah, I watched the fifth film before the fourth. Weird choice, but...let's say there was one scene in there I dreaded having to watch) because her actress did a great job at playing her, especially in the long stretch in the film when she can't speak. She manages to say so much without really saying anything. And her performance seemed authentic for someone caught in this horrible situation. I think that's the key to a great character in general: make us care about them, and make their emotions realistic no matter how strange the plot they're in is.
4. Mulan. As a kid, she really did stick with me, with her courage, determination, cleverness, love for her father, and her very human nature. It really was hard to pick just one Disney female protagonist because they have a lot of great ones, but Mulan's one of those that stuck with me. Not just because she can wield a sword (though that's cool. :), but also because of the many layers to her character, and her courage.
5. Fernanda from Tanner Hall. Kind of obscure, I'm thinking -- it's kind of an indie teenage film -- but Fernanda is a great character just because of how fleshed-out she is; she actually feels like a real teenager with all the rough spots that come with it. Rooney Mara does great in the role, just because of how real and likable she feels. She has some great emotional scenes, and really awesome moments, like her telling off one character's mother for her callousness towards her daughter. It's a film worth checking out, though it does probably have some pretty tough subjects in there.
Top Five Female Protagonists
2. Laurie Strode from Halloween. Smart, caring, resourceful, brave, and willing to do what she can to protect the kids under her care.
3. Jamie Lloyd from Halloween 4, 5, and 6. I just find her story to be heartbreaking, but she's also resourceful, clever, brave, loyal and honestly, a really well-done kid character. I know I was drawn in by her when I first watched Halloween 5 (yeah, I watched the fifth film before the fourth. Weird choice, but...let's say there was one scene in there I dreaded having to watch) because her actress did a great job at playing her, especially in the long stretch in the film when she can't speak. She manages to say so much without really saying anything. And her performance seemed authentic for someone caught in this horrible situation. I think that's the key to a great character in general: make us care about them, and make their emotions realistic no matter how strange the plot they're in is.
4. Mulan. As a kid, she really did stick with me, with her courage, determination, cleverness, love for her father, and her very human nature. It really was hard to pick just one Disney female protagonist because they have a lot of great ones, but Mulan's one of those that stuck with me. Not just because she can wield a sword (though that's cool. :), but also because of the many layers to her character, and her courage.
5. Fernanda from Tanner Hall. Kind of obscure, I'm thinking -- it's kind of an indie teenage film -- but Fernanda is a great character just because of how fleshed-out she is; she actually feels like a real teenager with all the rough spots that come with it. Rooney Mara does great in the role, just because of how real and likable she feels. She has some great emotional scenes, and really awesome moments, like her telling off one character's mother for her callousness towards her daughter. It's a film worth checking out, though it does probably have some pretty tough subjects in there.