Memorable Movies that Feature Fictional Inventor Characters

Rianne Hill Soriano

Generally, movies strive to make the characters in their stories interesting through their physical looks and personalities. Often times, their professions and the settings where they are situated in also make them more appealing. For some adventure, fantasy, and science-fiction movies, characters with interesting roles as creators are often parts of their stories.

Many classic films feature memorable fictional inventor and creator roles. These may be the main or supporting characters. Some of the most striking ones are seen in "Back to the Future," "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," and "Tron."

"Back to the Future"

In the 1985 blockbuster hit "Back to the Future," Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) is a scientist and inventor who dabbles into nuclear physics and astronomy. After decades of struggling through his researches and experiments, he finally makes a monumental breakthrough by inventing a time machine that uses a flux capacitor placed in the core of a Delorean DMC-12. This invention allows its rider to travel through time. This becomes a central element in the movie as the scientist's good friend Marty (Michael J. Fox) suddenly finds himself time traveling with the said car.

"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"

The original Willy Wonka character comes from the 1964 Roald Dahl novel entitled "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." The 1971 film adaptation "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" features the same unusual main character vividly depicted as the creative genius behind the Wonka Candy Company. Through his famous factory, he invents a number of chocolates, candies, drinks, and other sweet items including the famous Wonka Bars, Everlasting Gobstoppers, Fizzy Lifting Drinks, and Three-Course Dinner Gum. His interesting inventions expand to many other weird confectioneries found in his psychedelic wonderland of chocolate rivers, giant edible mushrooms, and lickable wallpapers.

"Tron"

The 1982 film "Tron" features the computer programmer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who discovers the digital realm called "The Grid." Initially inventing a search program to provide evidence that his video game designs were stolen by his colleague Ed Dillinger (David Warner), he soon makes CLU (Jeff Bridges), a program of his likeness, to oversee his creation of a "perfect world" using a "perfect system." Kevin realizes he overlooked his commands for CLU as his own masterwork tries to destroy him because he is seen as a flaw in making a perfect system. This becomes a major conflict and turning point in the story as the creator gets hunted down by his own creation.

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Published by Rianne Hill Soriano - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment and Travel

A free-spirited artist in constant search for the ultimate experience in every place -- seeking inspirations for every work. She used to be based in Manila, Philippines and also worked in productions in...  View profile

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