Steven Spielberg's film career has brought about a variety of characters. The different areas he's explored since first making films in the mid 1970s showcase different types of characters whom audiences can admire and associate with. The worlds Spielberg has created for audiences are made interesting because of the inhabitants who occupy them.
10. Tinkerbell (Hook)
Although I have heard mixed reviews directed at Julia Roberts' portrayal of Peter Pan's sidekick, the actress puts a lot of energy into the role. She brings about a charming presence to the fairy that contributes to the warmth of the story. Tinkerbell proves that good friends can come in any shape and/or size.
9. Teddy (A.I. Artificial Intelligence)
Even robotic Teddy Bears can make people smile. He brings about happiness and friendship to a robotic boy who longs to become "real". These traits create an inanimate character who is brought about in a human-like manner because of his devotion to the boy. They can basically be looked upon as the future's answer to Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin.
8. Mary Todd Lincoln (Lincoln)
Sally Field creates a mixture of love and manic intensity as the First Lady to the 16th U.S. President. There is kindness shown to try and help her husband during his stressful times in office. But another side of the First Lady comes about to fill the air with a sense of hysteria. She cries hysterically over her husband allowing their oldest son to be drafted into the Civil War. The death of their other son is a loss she is still suffering from. However, Mrs. Lincoln is also able to defend her husband's name in front of Thaddeus Stevens.
7. Lou Jean (The Sugarland Express)
The concept behind Lou Jean's mission in Spielberg's first feature-length film is what makes the character intriguing. She busts her husband from jail and hijacks a police car (and officer). Her motivation for these actions? To free her child from a foster home. The interest lies in the idea of a woman performing illegal tasks in order to be with a loved one. Talk about motherly love being taken an extreme!
6. Abraham Lincoln (Lincoln)
Even when he has his back turned from a distance, Daniel Day-Lewis sports a striking resemblance to the U.S. 16th President. The actor's notorious efforts to prepare a role make me wonder exactly how he practiced for the role of 'Honest Abe'! But the beliefs Lincoln stood for regarding the abolishing of slavery is brilliantly brought about by an actor who makes it appear as if Lincoln has been brought back to life. If the robotic Lincoln at the Hall of Presidents exhibit at Disney World ever broke down Day-Lewis could be a replacement.
5. John Hammond (Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park)
Here is another example of Spielberg presenting a character who means well but whose methods of approaching a particular goal spins out of control. Bringing dinosaurs back to life would not win an award for the safest idea of the year, especially when one of those dinosaurs is a T-Rex. However, it did help to create an interesting character, as well as an action-packed story. Hammond soon learns that bringing dinosaurs back to existence is a recipe for disaster. At the same this premise would also be a recipe for enormous profits at the Box Office.
4. Quint (Jaws)
Here's a fisherman who would give Captain Ahab a run for his money. Quint's eerie monologue about his days serving on the U.S.S. Indianapolis is enough to make a person want to give up traveling by sea forever. The character's determination to make the killer great white shark extinct becomes an obsession. This goal of Quint's makes him come off more dangerous than the titular shark.
3. Celie (The Color Purple)
Celie is a perfect example of someone who remains strong enough to be her own person. She will not allow the ruthless man she was forced to marry control her the way he wants. While she yearns for the company of her sister who was sent away by her tyrannical husband, Celie is able to survive loneliness by forming friendships with other women who have also lived abusive lives at the hands of males. She is able to survive the hardships brought about by the men in her life. The portrayal of this character by Whoopi Goldberg proves her to be a brilliant, and underrated actress.
2. Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones Series)
Here's the character who made archaeology look exciting. Indy's career has seen a lot of odd occurrences. He's the man for the job when it comes to the Holy Grail blowing up Nazis, a Religious cult/slavery operation in India, and a flying saucer made up of rocks. He even has had to put up with both his father and his biological son. He has taken an erudite profession and transformed it into an action hero.
1. E.T. (E.T. the Extra Terrestrial)
The alien who wanted to phone home brings about Spielberg's answer to friendship. Both E.T. and Elliot feel alone. This bond they share creates one of the best set of friends to emerge on the screen. Sometimes a friend can come from the most unlikely of places. Anyone who likes Reece's Pieces, including extra terrestrials, are Okay with me.