by Justin Hienz

From the Indiana Jones films, created by George Lucas and directed by Steven Spielberg
Nominated by Matt Barnes

Dr. Jones was everything that made for a strong and likable hero. Nothing stopped him. Not spikes, arch-nemeses or even Nazis. What made his whip-slinging, gun-fighting persona the most amazing for me was that he did it all for the history. He used his brain more than this brawn, even though he was undoubtedly tougher than nails. He got hurt, kept going and complained later. He didn't give up when the going got crazy rough.

 

Today, as a grown man with a family, I try to live by one of his flip comments:

"What are you going to do now, Indy?" asks Salla.

"I don't know. I'm making this up as I go along."

He goes forward. Always. When his path is blocked, physically or otherwise, he thinks his way out of it. He moves quickly but methodically and takes in his surroundings to see possibilities.

Thanks, Indy.