Holy shit, i have to agree, she made that movie.

"Are you going to the reunion?"
"I would raher put this cigarrette out in my asshole."

If i had to pick one single character, it would have to be Flight Officer Lt Ellen Ripley from the first 3 alien movies. The one in ressurection was cool, just no tthe same character. that being said:

Sarah Conner Linda hamilton, Terminator movies
Corp Hicks Michael Beihn, Aliens
Bud Brigman Ed Harris, The Abyss
Spoon, Dog Soldiers
John Preston, Equilibrium

He had some great characters...Eli Cross in "The Stunt Man", Alan Swann in "My Favorite Year". He could even elevate what would be mediocre movies without his presence, such as the aforementioned "High Spirits".