The Ninth Annual Mutant Awards: 2006

Winner: Alan Tudyk as Steve the Pirate (Dodgeball)

I have a soft spot in my heart for geeks in movies. How can I not? Let's face it — anyone who writes (for free!) for a site called Mutant Reviewers from Hell and admits it openly has to have some sort of Geek Pride. Seriously, there ought to be a Geek Pride day. Why not? After all, most of us who are geeks have been tormented at some point in our lives.

Ooookaaay. Before this goes off any more on what could be considered a politically incorrect tangent, let's get back to the matter at hand, shall we? (This is what happens when I frantically type my submission against a hard deadline.) Geeks. We love them. But even more, we love them when they're not just the butt of the jokes of the movie, but steal the movie entirely — or at least are some of the shining performances.

There were some geeks I was surprised didn't make the nomination list. No Michelle from American Pie. No Tri-Lams. No Rocket Boys (although they weren't eligible since I didn't review October Sky until after the nominees). No Syndrome. But the thing is, the list could go on and on. Let's face it — we might not be popular, but we totally rule.

So, onto our winners. Envelope, please.

Third place goes to Weird Al as George Newman in UHF. Weird Al is the minstrel of cult, the ultimate band geek (I mean, he plays an accordion, for crying out loud), and him having his own movie is a testament to the fact you don't have to conform to be popular. Well deserved, Mr. Yankovic.

Second are Mike Meyers and Dana Carvey as Wayne and Garth in Wayne's World. They made head banging to Queen, filming your own movies in your parents' basement, and utter social awkwardness incredibly cool.

And first place goes to Alan Tudyk as Steve the Pirate in Dodgeball. Because what is more geeky — and more fun — than truly believing you're a pirate, dressing, and talking like one? So, with 26.9% of the vote, the Best Geek Performance goes to Alan Tudyk as Steve the Pirate. Arrr!

Final Tally:

1. Alan Tudyk as Steve the Pirate (Dodgeball) (26.9%)
2. Mike Meyers as Wayne and Dana Carvey as Garth (Wayne's World) (20.4%)
3. Weird Al Yankovic as George Newman (UHF) (14.2%)
4. Anthony Michael Hall as Brian Johnson (The Breakfast Club) (10.8%)
5. Anthony Michael Hall as Gary and Ilan Mitchell-Smith as Wyatt (Weird Science) (10.8%)
6. Jon Cryer as Duckie (Pretty in Pink) (8.3%)
7. Scooter Stevens as Badger (Better Off Dead) (4.9%)
8. Zach Braff as Andrew Largeman (Garden State) (3.7%)

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