Which character do you like more?

Good choice for this kind of question. No question I like Quint more than Roy Batty. Even though Robert Shaw's portrayal is a totally batshit crazy over the top (to quote the Richard Dreyfuss line) working class hero, Quint feels real and his traumatic back story is based upon a real historical event. Also:


Anyway, both figures have a lot in common. Both have been through unimaginable ordeals, both are weathered, hardened and strong but insane in one way or another - mostly due to past events, and both are tragical figures.

There are two things to consider: When I first saw Jaws I was in my teens and easier to impress. I also think that Robert Shaw was more intense an actor than Rutger Hauer. So the above is just my personal opinion, bias and all.

I'd go with Quint also, I think, though Batty's more psychologically interesting.

I think Batty's problems and needs as a character are more interesting and unusual, but Quint is still an appealing permutation of the Ahab archetype. They're both emotionally complex characters, played with great nuance by their respective actors. I don't know that I could pick one over the other.

This is a refreshing change in the "character versus character" paradigm. Usually, it's "Who would win in a fight? Superman or Goku?"





Answer: Superman.