Ten Deep 01.19.12: Top 10 Movie "Quarterbacks"/Leaders

Posted by Mike Gorman on 01.19.2012

From Han Solo in Star Wars and Leonidas in 300 to Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator, William Wallace in Braveheart, and more, 411's Mike Gorman ranks his Top 10 Movie "Quarterbacks"/Leaders in honor of NFL Championship weekend!

Top Ten Movie "Quarterbacks"/Leaders


We're knee deep in two of my favorite things on the planet right now, NFL Playoffs and movie awards season! That said I was thinking this week about how I might be able to combine my two loves and this week's Ten Deep is the result. I wanted to look at the world of film through the eyes of a football fan and realized that there were some similarities that could be interesting to explore. This list is my compilation of the ten film characters that best fit the role of "quarterback" in their various movies. They don't actually play the game, but they certainly call the shots.


10. Harry Stamper from Armageddon





Harry Stamper, as played by Bruce Willis, is the quarterback of a team playing in the most important "game" in the history of the planet. He and his crew are called up from the minor leagues and expected to literally save the day when an asteroid is on a collision course with the earth. Stamper exhibits all of the qualities possessed by a good quarterback. He is focused on the mission, loyal to a fault and able to keep his "players" in line when needed. He calls the shots and shoulders the responsibility, the way a good team leader would.



9. Ripley from the Alien series





Ripley is not your first string QB, in fact, she is more of an unwilling second string player who steps in to get the job done when no one else can. It is not because she is not qualified but because it was never her intention to play. Ripley, on more than one occasion, is tossed into uniquely chaotic situations involving those titular aliens and each time she rises to the challenge. She is the queen of the last minute save and definitely plays by her own rules, but she also is constantly willing to sacrifice her own safety for the better of the team, be it her original crew or those she has encountered over the years.


8. Leonidas from 300





At first glance, there are probably many reasons you assume that I included Leonidas on this list. Sure he definitely is built like a football player, and his army knows how to present a solid line, he also is already in a position of leadership… all good reasons for him to make the countdown but not why he did. You see Leonidas is the quarterback who rallies his team and keeps their heads in the game, against impossible odds. There is no way his 300 will be victorious in the end but he makes sure that they battle with their hearts in it and their heads on straight. He never once lets on that victory is not within their grasp.



7. Mikey from Goonies





If a quarterback can be considered the heart of a team, then Mikey from Goonies is indeed one hell of a QB. He inspires his friends to stay focused on their goals while keeping his eye on the big picture. In doing so he makes sure that they are executing the proper "plays" to keep them moving forward and on track. Mikey's bravey and leadership lands the Goonies one heck of a victory in the end, when they save their homes and hometown.



6. Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller's Day Off





Ferris Bueller is a different sort of QB. Sure he pulls some mighty tricky "plays" out of his hat throughout the film and definitely is in tight command of most of the "game", but he stands out to me because he is "all American kid" media darling who can do no wrong. Bueller would be on the top of every most popular list and would earn himself a slick announcer's position after he retired. He knows the in's and out's of the game he is in like one else and always seems to pull off a victory with ease. His charisma carries over into his interactions with his friends, who can convince to do just about anything making them feel secure like a good leader would.



5. Han Solo from the Star Wars films





Like Ripley, Han Solo is the reluctant quarterback. He is the leader who didn't know he had it in him to lead until he dropped into a situation that put him into action. Yet once he gets back into a corner, those natural instincts kick in and this loner rallies people around him like no other. He's even got a solid offensive line in Chewbacca to watch his back and front.



4. Ethan Hunt from the Mission Impossible series





Ethan Hunt is the cerebral QB. He sees two steps ahead of his adversaries and has a razor sharp focus when it comes to details. Hunt also is the best at leading by example. Look at the things he does in these movies, ie. the rock climbing in MI 2 and the building scaling in MI 4. Hunt steps up when needed and is always ready for a challenge.



3. Maximus Decimus Meridius from Gladiator





First, can you think of a better quarterback than a decorated Roman general? There you have the epitome of leadership and skill. Second, put that general through incredible hardship and tell him that he will stay beat down for the rest of his life. Add this all up and you have Maximus from Gladiator, possibly the most driven character in all of film. He is like the quarterback facing a life-long, franchise rivalry on the grandest scale. The epic action sequences of Gladiator are truly a "superbowl."



2. Danny Ocean from the Ocean's trilogy





If a QB needs grace under pressure, needs to be the definition of cool, calm and collected then one need look no further than Danny Ocean. The key to his skills is his ability to identify the strengths of the members of his team and to put them to use effectively in pursuit of their goals. Like a good quarterback, Ocean sees people like the pieces on a chess board, knowing exactly where each one needs to be to ensure success.



And lastly…



1. William Wallace from Braveheart





Do I really need to explain this one? William Wallace is the ultimate movie quarterback. He is a driving, uniting force that brings together a people and leads them in their battle for freedom. He is drive and motivation personified in a physical, visceral way that parallels the nature of the battles on the gridiron. He inspires people who are beaten down and ready to give up, to go on, to fight, claim what is theirs. His team is a nation, and he transcends simple leadership.

Here we see the ultimate "locker room pep talk," hands down.




I leave you this week with a thought. If movie stars can be quarterbacks, can quarterbacks be movie stars?




They can if they're Tom Brady. Go Pats!!!


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