The Countdown: Dynamic duo’s

Firstly welcome to the first edition of The Countdown, which I intend to make a regular segment of this site.

For the first edition I have created a list of my all time favourite film duo, a who’s who of the partnerships that made me laugh and cry, some of them doing both.

So without further ado, let’s jump in at number 10.

10. Derek Zoolander and Hansel (Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson) – Zoolander

The two most ridiculously good looking models in the business today

Coming in at number 10 are everybody’s favourite models, former darling of the modelling world Zoolander, and the new golden boy Hansel. Although the two of them start off as enemies the pair end up as one of the most hilarious and enduring partnerships in recent cinema. Every time I struggle to open something these days, all I can picture is the pair of really, ridiculously good looking models attempting to open the file “in” the computer.

9. Jay and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes) – Clerks

Like to smoke weed and hang out? These are your perfect role models.

The pair at number 9 would like to do nothing more with their life than hang out in front of the Quick Stop and sell weed. In fact that’s what they have done, with a few adventures on the side. With motor mouth Jay cracking most of the jokes, and his heterosexual life partner Bob tending to stay, well, silent, this pair have appeared together numerous times since their first outing together in Smith’s cult hit Clerks in 1994.

8. Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh (Mel Gibson and Danny Glover) – Lethal Weapon

Riggs wants to know if you think he's crazy, and Murtaugh is just getting to old for that shit.

To this day, these two stand out as the best police partnership to ever grace the big screen. They starred in one of the most succesful buddy cop franchises (even when the series jumped the shark with that cherry bomb stunt), and both became legends of the action genre. We all know that Murtaugh will never actually be too old for that shit, he’s too damn awesome to retire.

7. Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee (Elijah Wood and Sean Astin) – The Lord of the Rings trilogy

The two hobbits as they head for Brokeback Mou... I mean Mount Doom

If this isn’t one of the greatest love stories of our time, I don’t know what is. Seriously, there is some crazy unresolved tension between these two lovable hobbits. But beyond that, these two formed one of the most enduring frienships of modern cinema, with Sam going through hell and back, all to ensure the safety of his pal Frodo. This pair made these movies as emotional as it was action packed.

6. Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan (George Clooney and Brad Pitt) – Oceans 11

Ladies, please form an orderly line

Sure, Danny Ocean had numeous others in his rag tag crew of thieves, but it was undoubtedly the super charming friendship between Ocean and Ryan, played by two of the most charming actors in hollywood. With Oceans quick mind, and Ryans quick mouth, this pair of thieves formed a duo of modern day Robin Hoods that everyone wished they knew.

5. Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield (John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson) – Pulp Fiction

I know the one on the right likes burgers, especially them Big Kahuna Burgers.

In keeping with the criminal theme, we find the two quick talking gangsters who are just trying to do a job. With more memorable quotes than one person could possibly hope to remember, these two are more than deserving of their cult legend status. Seriously, if it wasn’t for Vince and Jules, I wouldn’t know what you call a French Big Mac, nor would I be able to quote from the bible.

4. Brennan Huff and Dale Doback (Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly) – Step Brothers

In how many fight scenes do you get to see a grown man use a bicycle as a weapon? Not enough in my opinion.

Yes, I am aware that not many others would include these two on their list of the greatest on screen duos of all time, but to me this is one of my favourite comedies of all time, all because of it’s two man-boy stars. These two 39 year olds are still 12 at heart, and they provide hilarity at every turn, whether it be in their bunk-bed making endeavours or in their attempts to find jobs (it might not be saying much, but best fart scene ever). Also has one of my favourite music scenes in recent times.

3. Han Solo and Chewbacca (Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew) – Star Wars IV, V, VI

I heard that these two made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. Impressive.

The super charismatic space rogue and his shaggy partner. Who could possibly forget Han, with his quick blaster finger, and even quicker tongue, or Chewy, his indecipherable co-pilot. To this day, Han remains my favourite Star Wars character of all time (how he beat Jar Jar to the top I do not know…) with Chewy close behind. To say these two were cool is like saying the Millenium Falcon was kinda quick, it does not do them justice. Oh and one more thing, how come Han and C-3P0 are the only ones who understand Chewy? Weird.

2. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Paul Newman and Robert Redford) – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Lucky Lefors wasn't out there, or they might have been in trouble

Let me preface this by saying, for the most part, I am not a massive fan of Westerns. But for some reason, this film stands out as one of the coolest films I have ever seen. The direction is superb, the story line rivetting, the setting captivating. That said, the film could have none of these things, and still be fantastic. Uwe Boll could have directed. Michael Bay could have written the script. It could have been set in Adelaide. All of these atrocities could have been commited to this film, and it would still be great. You know why? Because of Butch and Sundance. The bank robbing outlaws. These two have stood the test of time, appearing as infinitely cool today as when they were first introduced to audiences in 1969. I still choke up when I think of the legendary final scene. I still double over with laughter when I think of the river scene. I still smile every time I hear the song “Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head”. For this, I thank you Butch and Sundance.

And finally, the number one movie duo of all time…

1. Woody and Buzz Lightyear (Tom Hanks and Tim Allen) – Toy Story

They're not flying, they're falling with style

That’s right folks, the number one spot goes to the animated duo from Pixar’s first big hit, Toy Story. For me, Woody and Buzz were heroes. I grew up with them. They made you laugh, they made you cry, they made you think. Starting off as enemies, these two grew too share (in my opinion) the greatest friendship ever seen on the big screen. The pair got in more trouble than your average toy, but through it all, you knew they were gonna be friends. You waited for it. And when it came, you couldn’t wipe the smile off your face. The pair went on star in the sequel (which out performed the original at the box office) and are now set to hit the big screen for a third time. You know I’m going to be at the front of that line, with my Woody hat of course.

Honourable mentions:
Tyler Durdan/The Narrator (Fight Club)
Marty McFly/Dr. Emmet Brown (Back to the Future)
Elwood and Jake Blues

So there you have it, the (not so) definitive list of the all time greatest movie duos.

Who would be on your list of the greatest on screen duos? Do you disagree with anyone on my list?