97. HAL-9000
2001: A Space Oddyssey
In a film that analyzes man's place in the vast universe, is there really any better villain than a computer?
Cold, emotionless, eerily calming, and perfectly logical, HAL (Heuristically-programmed Algorithmic Computer) is the embodiment of the problems with technology: If something doesn't follow it's logic, it is useless. If something is useless, it can be disposed of.
HAL speaks in a discerningly calm and polite tone (as opposed to everyone else, who talk in a terse monotone) and leaves the viewers reassured at first, but as his own personal desires for the mission come into play, the calmness transforms into something incredibly creepy. It certainly doesn't help that he has complete control over all systems on the Discovery spaceship that he works on. With abilities ranging from facial recognition, natural language process, and reasoning (plus he can sing "Daisy Bell"), HAL is technology at its finest. And its most haunting.
Defining moment: As the only two conscious crew members on a ship with a mad robot, astronauts Frank Poole and Dave Bowman take every step to making sure HAL doesn't overhear their plan to disconnect him. Too bad they never realized he can read lips.
Extra fun fact: In France, HAL is called CARL, for "Cerveau Analytique de Recherche et de Liaison" (or "Analytic Research and Communication Brain" in English).
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