Everybody remembers those movies they watched constantly while growing up, right? Right? Wait, is that just me? Well, I was (and still am, actually) a big fan of those magical little kid movies. You know the ones; The Wizard of OZ, The Neverending Story, etc. And every single one of those movies had at least one female character that I wanted to be. So here's a list of my favorite female characters from those movies, in no particular order.
1. Ozma
Return to Oz
Ozma didn't have a big part in the movie. In fact, she spent most of her time trapped behind a mirror in Mombi's castle. But when I was a little girl, I loved her green and white tulle dress and her mysterious demeanor.
2. The Childlike Empress
The Neverending Story
Here's another character that didn't have a lot of screen time, but she certainly was interesting. I guess when I was young I loved the idea of not being everything I seemed. I wanted to be a magical little princess. I guess most little girls (and some little boys) do.
3. Sarah Williams
Labyrinth
Speaking of things not always being what they seem...
Labyrinth was and is one of my favorite movies, and not just because it features a glittery David Bowie in very tight pants. I was only a little younger than Sarah the first time I saw the movie, and I always felt very similar to her. I was, I'm not afraid to admit, a very dramatic person when I was a teen, but I loved the idea that Sarah could still be strong and intelligent. And ok, yes, David Bowie in revealing pants was also a very big plus for a girl just becoming sexually aware.
4. Princess Leia
Star Wars
My dad got me interested in the geeky things in life at a young age. I don't remember the first time I saw the Star Wars trilogy (we'll just ignore the newer ones for now), but I know I always loved Leia. She was a badass girl with a gun, and she helped me realize I can be whatever I want to be. I don't have to choose between loving the things traditionally associated with girls and the things traditionally associated with boys.
5. Dorothy
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz was and always will be my favorite movie, and Dorothy will always have a special place in my heart. There was a time when I watched this movie every day, and I would only respond to people who called me Dorothy. I don't know what intrigued me so much about her, but I just really wanted to be her.
6. Buttercup
The Princess Bride
This is another movie I saw for the first time as a teen, and I fell in love with it right away. Buttercup was a bit more frail than some of the other female characters listed, but I still found her to be brave in her own way. Not to mention, the movie is probably the most quotable movie of all time. Anybody want a peanut?
7. Belle
Beauty and the Beast
Ah Belle, the book-loving girl who doesn't give in to Gaston's 'good looks' like all the other girls in her village. Belle was independent, brave, and she loved to read, which I found very relatable. Belle and I were kindred spirits. I, like her, could get so engrossed in a book that I forgot I wasn't a part of the world I was reading.
8. Rainbow Brite
Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer
Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer was an excellent movie, and I won't allow anyone to say anything to the contrary. I didn't grow up in the 80s, but when I think of that time period, this movie comes to mind. Once again, I was attracted to the strong magical female character who held some kind of authority. Plus, there were lots of pretty colors.
9. Ariel
The Little Mermaid
Ariel knew what she wanted, and she wasn't afraid to try to get it (though admittedly, she probably went about it the wrong way). She wasn't happy where she was, and neither was I as a young girl. I wanted to get away from the tiny town I lived in and get into a city somewhere. I think this is the main thing that attracted me to Ariel. She went after what she wanted.
10. Crysta
Ferngully
I think this movie has a wonderful message, and it's a great fairy tale as well. Crysta, like Belle, didn't just settle for someone she didn't love just because they were attracted to her. Crysta was brave and strong, even though she was small, and along with her friends, she helped to save the rainforest from the evil Hexxus, the embodiment of pollution.
The Kingdom is being invaded by demonic forces, and the player must help to unite the Kingdom to fight this evil. The player chooses to be either a mage, rogue, or warrior, and he or she can pick what race they come from; human, dwarves, or elven. The fact that the beginning of the game is completely different based on which race and role the player chooses is an interesting feature. At the moment, I'm playing a human mage.
