We finally have a winner in our Lord of the Rings/Star Wars Tournament. Drum Roll Please:
GANDALF It is true. Gandalf is the best fantasy character. He came out on top of 63 other Star Wars and Lord of the Rings Characters. A deserving champ. "You shall not Pass!"
Thanks for all the votes. Some rounds were pretty popular, but I probably made the tourney too long. I need more readership. Holla.
The time has finally come. We can see who is the greatest character in the Lord of the Rings/Star Wars Universe. It has been an epic battle. We started with 64- contestants and are now down to two. It will be "One Shining Moment" for Gandalf or Han Solo. You know the drill. Vote!
Gandalf- Gandalf has defeated Uncle Owen, R2-D2, Leia, Chewie, and Amidala White Might be a god Likes to smoke
Han- Defeated Mon Mothma, Lando, Anakin, Sam, and Vader. Dashing Owes people money Harrison Ford
There you go. Choose the one who will go down in history.
Sorry it's been while. There was a large influx of votes from the state of California (really) that made things interesting. But our Final Four is set. This is big
Gandalf- faced a tough, tough battle against Chewie. I'd have to say he is the favorite in this match.
Padme Amidala- The 10 seed has made it to the Final Four. wow. Who would have thought? The upsets just kept coming - Boromir, Yoda, Wicket (well) and now Aragorn. Huge upset. Can she keep it going?
Han Solo - Han has faced tough competition, but has recored more than 70% of the vote each time, looking to take it all.
Darth Vader- It's Darth Vader. I don't need to say much more.
Time to figure out the final four. We got 5 Star Wars - 3 old, 2 new - and 3 Lord of the Rings. Padme Amidala is the lowest seed left after ousting Wicket. All number one seeds remain.
1. Gandalf vs. 2. Chewbacca- Gandalf has had little trouble so far. Chewie barely beat Legolas. Can the Wookie upset the wizard?
1. Aragorn vs. 10. Padme Amidala- The queen keeps moving forward, beating Boromir, Yoda, and now the upstart Ewok. Will it be enough against the King?
1. Han Solo vs. 3. Sam- The smuggler vs. the fat Hobbit. Will charm and bravery overcome honesty and loyalty?
1. Vader vs. 2. Obi-Wan Kenobi- Lots of history between these two. This is kind of the rubber match with Obi-Wan winning in Episode III and Vader winning in A New Hope. Will Obi-Wan fight this time? Will he maintain his momentum after dominating Gollem? Or should he have switched to the Dark Side like Vader?
Things are heating up. The big guns moved on again in the second round, with the biggest upset being Padme Amidala beating out Yoda with a last second buzzer beater. Wicket again marched on improbably with a win over the Witch King. Wow. King Theoden couldn't quite sneak out a win over Gollum. Luke beat his old buddy Wedge after some early concern. All my favorite upset possibilities- Wedge, Witch King, Merry, Grand Moff Tarkin, King Theoden- are gone, but that is the way of the tournament.
We got some great 3rd round matches, really what the tournament was created for. Gollum/Obi-Wan Sam/Luke Aragorn/Treebeard Chewie/Legolas Han/Anakin Wow, these are what Sci-Fi nerds dreams are made of.
Some stats on the tourney so far, you know to make me look even more dorky.
1. Gandalf- An easy road so far for Gandalf Greyhame, Olórin, Mithrandir, Stormcrow, Greybeard, Tharkûn or whatever you want to call him, facing little challenge from R2-D2 or Uncle Owen Resume: beat balrog, demi-god I think, magic, animals like him, kick-ass in battle (see picture), killer weed, fireworks Key Losses: believed dead for a while, didn't know Bilbo had the ring, greyness Quotes: "Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many. " " Keep it secret. Keep it safe." "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought." "Farewell... my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say, Do not weep... not all tears are an evil."
4.Princess Leia- No challenges for Leia yet, either. I expect that to change this round. Hopefully the metal bikini will give her an edge. Resume: daughter of Vader, princess of a planet that no longer exists, full of spunk Key losses: dignity for kissing brother, dignity for wearing that bikini and being chained to Jabba, entire homeworld Quotes:"Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder." " Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope. " "Someone has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, fly boy."
3. Legolas- Had a pretty good second round battle with Merry, but pulled away in the second half. Hopefully that will ready him for this battle. Resume: dreamy, blond locks, great with the bow and arrow, great with the sword, agile, old, great vision Key Losses: pointy ears, susceptible to bad sunburn, friends with Gimli Quotes: "The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving. He is HERE."
2. Chewbacca- Dispatched Biggs and Faramir with ease. How will the Wookie do against the elf? Resume: Tall, strong, loyal, good flyer, long wingspan Key Losses: can't talk, furballs, dandruff Quotes: [annoyed growl] [concerned growl] [excited growl]
1. Han Solo- No troubles yet for Mr. Solo. He's got it all - ladies, cash, alien friends Resume: baller, hustler, hot girl, ship, friends, cocky attitude, smile Key Losses: propensity to be frozen in carbonate, bounty on his head, ship is not the most reliable Quotes: "I've got a bad feeling about this" "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid. " "YAHOOOOO! You're all clear, kid, now let's blow this thing and go home! "
4. Anakin Skywalker- Won a tough all evil battle against Sauron. Will need all that the dark side can bring in this matchup Resume: Strong in the force this one, dark side powers, hot wife Key Losses: concept of good and evil, Jedi twins, wife, hand - later arms and legs, bad temper Quotes: "I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead, every single one of them. And not just the men, but the women and the children, too. They're like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals. I HATE THEM! " "One day, I will become the greatest Jedi EVER. I will even learn how to stop people from dying." " [shouts] I hate you. "
3. Sam Gamgee- Sam won a tough battle against fellow Hobbit Biblo, and with Pippen, Merry, Bilbo, and Frodo falling, is the last of his kind. Resume: LOYAL, carried Frodo up Mount Doom, beat the Orcs and Shelob to get Frodo back Key losses: Frodo for a bit, fat, can't swim Quotes: "hen let us be rid of it... once and for all! Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you! " "there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for." "*Po-tay-toes!* Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew... Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish." "I made a promise, Mr Frodo. A promise. "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." And I don't mean to. I don't mean to. "
2. Luke Skywalker- Used the force and beat his good friend Wedge. No he's up against a hobbit. Resume: restored Jedi Order, blew up first Death Star, bested Vader, pretty much destroyed the Empire Key Losses: Obi-Wan, Yoda, father, hand Quotes: "But I was going to go to the Toshi Station and pick up some power converters" "I'm Luke Skywalker. I'm here to rescue you." "No. No. That's not true. That's impossible! "
1. Aragorn- Rebounded nicely after first-round scare with Niem Numb. Resume: My Captain, My King Key Losses: Bachelorhood, living in the woods life Quotes: Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you *stand, Men of the West!*
5. Treebeard - Came out hot out of the gates and held off a lot comeback from the Emperor Resume: real old, leader of the Ent-moot, surprisingly agile in battle, good mood of transport for hobbits Key losses: Ent Women, forests
14. Wicket- The 14 seed keeps rolling, two huge upsets already. Can the little guy keep it rolling? Resume: Cute, furry Key Losses: Can't speak, ticks Quotes: Yub, Yub (muthafucker)
10. Padme Amidala: Survived two nail biters, upsetting Boromir and Yoda and my misspelling of her name. Resume: married Jedi, mothered Jedi twins, fought robots and aliens, lots of nice outfits and hair styles Key Losses: life, husband to Dark Side, hair (oh, that was a different movie) Quotes: Tony is great. I want to marry him. Caleb sucks. Anakin, you're breaking my heart! And you're going down a path I cannot follow!
1. Darth Vader- No trouble yet for this top seed. Resume: Evil, killer, Death Star Key Losses: arms, legs, ability to breathe, wardrobe versatility Quotes: I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now *I* am the master. I find your lack of faith disturbing. No. *I* am your father.
5. Qui-Gonn Jinn Killed Frodo, getting 80% of the Vote. Resume: Jedi, nice hair, found Anakin, gallant, noble, saved a lot of Jews Key Losses: Life, Anakin to the Dark Side Quotes: Remember: Your focus determines your reality. Finding him was the will of the force, I have no doubt of that
3. Gollum-Gollum edged out King Theoden by a single vote. Close match-up. Can he keep it going? Resume: Ring Bearer for many years, led Frodo to Mordor, escaped Mordor, killed Deagol to get the ring, bit off Frodo's finger, framed Sam for eating the bread Key Loses: humanity, hair, weight, his "precious", ability to speak in first person Quotes: We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, false! Stupid, fat hobbit.
2. Obi-Wan Kenobi- Young Obi-Wan has torn through his first two opponents, fairing much better than his old self. Resume: Jedi, part of Jedi council. nice beard, survived Jedi purge, killed Darth Maul, dominated Anakin Key Losses: Anakin becoming Darth Vader, hair color, Qui-Gon Jinn Quotes: [after finding the young dead Jedi's in the temple] Who? Who could have done this? -Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic, to democracy. You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you.
Shire Bracket- Hot times in the Shire. Wizard vs. droid, Elf vs. princess, elf vs. hobbit, human vs. Wookie. Very nice.
1. Gandalf: White or Grey, dead or alive, Gandalf is pretty amazing. He is a warrior, a general, a wizard, a mentor. Yes. And he beat the Balrog.
8. R2-D2: Just a little robot who can't talk or walk really, but saved the day for Luke, Han, Leia, and Chewie multiple times.
5. Elrond: Pretty much the main man, or main elf. He was there when Isildur struck down Sauron. He is wise and smart and just has everything on lockdown.
4. Princess Leia: Quite the feminist at times- taking control on the Death Star and on Endor. But she did make out with her brother. Hmm?
3. Legolas: Pretty baller with that bow and arrow. And he's an elf, so he's good at pretty much everything. Probably the coolest action scenes in the movies.
6. Merry: Another hobbit. This one was a bit more hardcore, not afraid to fight and even take on the Witch King.
10. Faramir: Kind of weak in the movies, but better in the books, smarter too. Kind of sucks to have to be compared to his bro and the whole thing about his father wishing he had died instead was kind of rough. The suicide mission of Minis Morgol was pretty cool and he ended up with Eowyn in the end.
2. Chewbacca: Yeah, the Wookie. Everyone's Favorite Star Wars alien.
Endor Bracket- Han vs. his buddy Lando, Luke vs. Wedge - take your pick Jedi Knight or everyman flyer. I got my horse. Pick yours. Ooh, and two hobbits go head-to-head as well. Nice.
1. Han Solo: Bad-ass smuggler turned Rebel Alliance hero. Slick beyond measure. I really don't need to say much more about him.
9. Lando: Another badass turned hero. Lando turned Han, Leia, and Chewie over to Darth Vader, but then helped them escape and was the leader of the assault on the 2nd Death Star.
Best Smile in the Galaxy
5. Sauron: The evil of all evils in Lord of the Rings. This is a tough one because he was so evil and caused so much destruction and war multiple times, but he didn't really have a physical form in the movie. I mean the Eye is scary, but how scary.? To give you a better idea, here are some of his alliases: Gorthaur the Cruel, Sauron the Deceiver, the Lord of the Earth, the Enemy, the Master, the Dark Power, the Dark Lord, the Lord of Mordor, the Dark Lord of Mordor, the Power of the Black Land, the Black Master, the Black One, the Lord of Barad-dur, the Lord of the Dark Tower, the Shadow, the Great Eye, the Red Eye, the Eye of Barad-dur, the Lidless Eye, the Evil Eye, the Unnamed, the Nameless. Yeah.
4. Anakin Skywalker: As you can see, I'm not going with the pod-racing-little-boy-Anakin or the crazy-red-eyes-wanting-to-kill-Obi-wan-Anakin. I'm going more for the just-slaughtered-the Sandpeople-not-just-the-men-but-the-women-and-the-children-too-Anakin.
3. Sam: Sam pretty much did all the work getting the ring to Mount Doom. He literally carried Frodo. Samwise the Brave. Followed him into the river eventhough he couldn't swim and came back to Frodo after he sided with Gollum. "A promise Mr. Frodo, a promise"
6. Bilbo Baggins: The Hobbit who started it all.
10. Wedge Antilles: Here is one for the hardcore fan. For those of you that don't know, Wedge is a Rebel Pilot that was in all three movies! He survived the first Death Star, Hoth, and the Second Death Star. The only man to survive both Death Star runs. While Luke was off playing with Daddy, Wedge hit the shot that allowed Lando to take down the Second Death Star. Wedge is my darkhorse here, kind of like Davidson. He just has that everyman quality. He is also responsible for one of the most famous lines in the movie, when first approaching the Death Star: "Look at the size of that thing." (That's what she said)
2. Luke: Wait who was he? Oh yeah, the one who always saved the day.
Hoth Bracket- Will Aragorn continue to struggle? Will Wicket remain the Cinderella? Can Padme and her ripped shirt move on again? Vote and we shall see.
1.Aragorn: Pretty much the man in every way- fighting, leading, courage, ladies love him, king, friend. Wow. What more can I say?
8. Mace Windu: Samuel L. baby. A wise Jedi. Not really sure how I felt about him until he started fighting. Kicked ass in the Battle Royale in Episode II. And in Revenge of the Sith, he totally was kicking Emperor Palpatine's ass in their fight. Then Anakin came in and you know.
5. Treebeard: Don't get this tree-man-thing angry. The Ents storming of Orthanc was one of my favorite parts of all the movies. Ents are pretty tight man.
4. The Emperor: Pretty scary. Ugly, powerful, manipulative, able to shoot out lightning bolts from his hands. And all this was definitely added to by episodes 1-3. He pretty much single handedly brought down the entire Republic, using Darth Maul, Count Dooku and Anakin/Vader as pawns and don't forget Order 66. Could use some skin care products, though
14. Wicket: Yub-Yub muthafucker
11. Witch King of Angmar (aka head dark rider):Pretty raw and scary, not sure how he got his ring or how he became the lead Dark Rider, but if he had a wallet I'm sure it would have BMF on it. But he was defeated by a hobbit and a woman.
10. Queen Amadala: I'm sure how I feel about her. She's hot in the picture. She gave birth to Jedi twins. She was kind of a good queen in the first movie. She fought pretty well in the second. But overall, she was kind of a damsel in distress
2. Yoda: I didn't go with old yoda and older yoda, cuz 40 years to a 900 year old alien isn't much (900 years old you be look so good you will not, hm) and he was pretty awesome in all the movies he was in. I mean, I did not expect his crazy lightsaber skills in episode II, but his whole character in Empire Strikes back was pretty nice too.
Mordor Bracket. Let's see, pretty balanced bracket - 4 Lord of the Rings, 4 Star Wars. A few great matchups Vader/Balrog, Gollum/King Theoden. Watch out.
1.Darth Vader: Baddest of the bad, evilest of the evil. And thanks to 6 movies, you know pretty much everything about his life, so I don't have to say more.
9. Balrog: Well, this picture really doesn't do justice. Just watch this part of the movie. Definitely in my top 3 in the entire trilogy. Great scene on the bridge. Wow! Apparently Balrog is one of the oldest demons, servant of Sauron's original master. Watch out, he's got some long whips.
5. Qui-Gon Jinn: I really like Liam Neeson and Qui-Gon was a good character, a great example of what a Jedi should be. I wish he would've been around longer.
4.Frod0: The ring-bearer. A tough job. I mean, Frodo was kind of tender a lot of the time, but in the end, he got the job done. Saved Middle-Earth. Nice
3. Gollum: Gollum/Smegol/Stinker, don't trust this cat. He'll kill. He'll bite of fingers. He'll be your friend. He'll back stab, anything to get his "precious". Just a little tip, he should probably just shave his head already. The comb over just isn't working.
6. King Theoden: Has there ever been a more intense transformation in movie history? Well maybe Aladdin to Prince Ali or Robin Williams to Mrs. Doubtfire, but this was pretty intense. Just look at him in Two Towers before Gandalf frees him. Old and decrepit, pretty much lifeless. Then afterwards, the epitome of a king. His get hype speeches before the big battles were great. They made me want to throw on a helmet and grab a sword. A very underrated character.
10. Grand Moff Tarkin: One of the few Imperials to keep Vader in check. Man, he was so evil, but also so cool. He was like the Steve McQueen of evil, real old guys. He blew up a planet. And after him, the Imperial army was pretty weak. Beginning of their downfall.
2. Obi-Wan Kenobi: We're going for Episode 2 and 3 Obi-Wan here. The Jedi in this prime. Pre-getting old an leaving to hide, post weird one long strand of hair. Think the only Jedi that survived Order 66. Think the fight against evil Anakin, the one where he makes him a quadriplegic. Yeah, that one.
I'm pretty much ballin' an all accounts- unemployed, live with my sister, I read comic books and Harry Potter, and wake up at 5:30 AM on the weekends to watch English football. Yes! Pretty much anything I have to say is the truth.
Thanks for all the votes. Some rounds were pretty popular, but I probably made the tourney too long. I need more readership. Holla.
Han- Defeated Mon Mothma, Lando, Anakin, Sam, and Vader.
1. Gandalf- An easy road so far for Gandalf Greyhame, Olórin, Mithrandir, Stormcrow, Greybeard, Tharkûn or whatever you want to call him, facing little challenge from R2-D2 or Uncle Owen
3. Legolas- Had a pretty good second round battle with Merry, but pulled away in the second half. Hopefully that will ready him for this battle.
1. Han Solo- No troubles yet for Mr. Solo. He's got it all - ladies, cash, alien friends
4. Princess Leia: Quite the feminist at times- taking control on the Death Star and on Endor. But she did make out with her brother. Hmm?
6. Merry: Another hobbit. This one was a bit more hardcore, not afraid to fight and even take on the Witch King.
