3 of the Best vs 3 of the Worst is exactly what it sounds like – 3 of the best examples of either an actor, film series, genre, etc. versus 3 of the worst. It’s also an opportunity for you to have your say on my choices and whether you would have placed something ahead of my best or my worst. This week…. Fictional Movie Presidents

In honour of Olympus has Fallen opening this week (I haven’t seen it) it got me thinking about fictional movie Presidents. I’m not an American, but there are few British Prime Ministers, fictional ones anyway, that are immortalised on-screen in any notable way. Presidents are done all the time and there have been some very cool and some awful ones. These are based purely on the actions of the President, not the actor. So without anymore hesitation…

3 of the Best

3 – President Schwarzenegger – The Simpsons Movie

Imagine… Just imagine!!!

2 – President Beck – Deep Impact

There is something deeply comforting about the idea of Morgan Freeman as leader of the free world. That man has narrated some of the best, most peaceful moments in cinema history. Can you ever imagine feeling dread or anger against the man who would deliver speeches in his soft, soothing tones? He doesn’t particularly do anything of note in Deep Impact, other than announce how we are all doomed – but you panic less because Freeman is saying it.

1 – President Marshall – Air Force One

This is an action hero President. I will always have time for an action hero President. A President who doesn’t hide and let his bodyguards or personal security save his family, but takes it on his own shoulders. single-handedly, in pure Die Hard style, Harrison Ford, as President James Marshall, stops Russian terrorists taking over his private plane. How could you even run against this guy in an election? How could you not want this man running your country?

3 of the Worst

3 – President Schwarzenegger – The Simpsons Movie

Imagine… Just imagine!!!

2 – President Wilson – 2012

This is the opposite of Harrison Ford’s President Marshall. There is very little this man can do to save the world or stop impending, global disaster but he could at least do something! Instead, we get a sad and pathetic President who gives up his own life in a less than dramatic way. He accomplishes very little and doesn’t even have the comfort factor of Freeman, regardless of being played by Danny Glover.

1 – President Whitmore – Independence Day

This one infuriates me! You are the leader of the free world and self-appointed leader of Earth against an invading force of hostile aliens. You are the figurehead of not just the nation but practically the planet. You have responsibilities to ensure that the country, and possibly the world, is organised and led effectively during and after the war with the aliens. You have also recently lost your wife, leaving you as a single Dad with a young daughter that needs her one surviving parent. Don’t get in a plane and join an air-battle that could and should have seen you die just because they a slightly short on pilots! You are the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!

Overall, a very varied choice for quite different reasons. The three best would all lead America in very different ways but I’m sure Marshall would do the best job (Han Solo as President!) In the same way that I’m certain Whitmore would do something stupid just to look like a hero or get some recognition. Let me know if there are any I’ve missed or you don’t agree with…