Iconic

Empire file magazine this month has a cover feature looking at what they consider to be the ten film icons of the last decade and it's fair to say that it is an intriguing list.

First up we have James Bond. Now I have no problem with saying Bond is a cultural icon but I'm not so sure I'd pick him out as being one of great significance to the last decade. Yes the retooled and rebooted Bond of Casino Royale made impact and Quantum Of Solace was a big hit but I still feel that Daniel Craig's Bond is an excellent performance still waiting for an excellent film.
Casino was quite good but the final third just got the pace all wrong and QoS was, well a built dull, plus all of it's best bits (and in fact modern Bond's best bits) are effectively stolen from the next on list, Jason Bourne

Now Bourne is one I totally agree with, the films are all excellent top rate thrillers and the role has made a true bona-fida star of Matt Damon. The Bourne series bought the spy thriller genre right up to date with a feel of realism and verve. And with Bourne himself we had a flawed, real, believable man you could indentify with much more than the (until recently) almost comic book styling of Bond

Next up is Aragorn he of unwashed hair, manly strength and awww a big ol romantic heart. I think I'm ok with this one too since Aragorn is one of the more effective parts of the Rings films and he does basically take the lead in half of the story. Almost a Han Solo for the decade, well, he would be if he had a bit more charm anyway.

We also have The Bride of Kill Bill film and again I think this is a good choice. Certainly in terms of basic iconography the character looks the part (see above. Whilst the overall quality of the films can be debated (I like 'em and Part 2 gets better each time I watch it) yo have to admit Uma Thurman nailed the part totally. Both strong warrior and grieving mother and when teamed up with QT's magpie mind and eye for a visual you get a character that works wonderfully.

Another strange choice is Heath Ledger's Joker. Don't get me wrong it is a great performance and the look of the character I'm sure is one that will enter the public culture at large and be seen every Halloween for years to come. But I'm not sure I'd call it iconic for the decade.

Coming up next is the role that made Russel Crowe a star, it's Gladiator's Maximus. Having already ingrained itself into the lexicon (how many times have you heard rif's on his self introduction to the Emperor?) I've no problem with his inclusion. A character that is deceitfully deep and one that was strongly protected by both star and director (both insisting on no added love interest and his eventual demise). Popular with the ladies too I hear!

Harry Potter seems a fair enough choice since he's the star of the decade's biggest film franchise.

Shaun of Shaun Of The Dead fame is another one I'm not so sure on, yes he's great creation but he works best as one of a group, specifically a double act with best mate Ed. For me you have to take both for it to work, but I guess as a depiction of a modern urban young(ish) male he's as good as it gets.

Then we have Jack Sparrow who I guess has made a strong impact and launched Johnny Depp to a level of mega stardom he'd never before been close to. Tho' I do maintain whilst he was awesome in the first film he was just a bit of tool in the subsequent entries. Still a planned fourth pirates film centered around him is in the works and a testament to his popularity

Last up we have Hugh Jackman's charismatic take on Wolverine which is another one I happy to go with. After all this decade has been the decade of the comic book blockbuster and out of those films and characters it has to be said Wolverine is the coolest by far. Now he is a bit of a Han Solo for the decade, the lovable rogue with a dark side and hidden past. And had Jackman not made the part his own and made it work it's quite possible that X-Men would have failed to hit a cord and thus the cinematic landscape would be very different today.

So that's Empire choices and my brief thoughts on those, but what do you think and who should be on this list instead?