For the best movie character, I'll second the vote for Gollum - who, incidentally,
is a real actor and I'll
bite anyone who says otherwise. Everything that's great about him - the way he moves, the way he says his lines, the expressions on his face, it's all Andy Serkis. WETA just did the costume & makeup, as far as I'm concerned. (OK, and the changing pupils, but that's insignificant). My favorite because of the way he is at once threatening, pitiful and humorous. I love the timing in the way Andy says the lines, the voice, everything ... the most memorable character in the movies by far.
My least favorite in the movies is my favorite in the books: Aragorn. Viggo's a decent actor, but he just can't fill Aragorn's shoes. He's too casual, and he lacks the mystery and potential danger implied in first two books and the nobility of Aragorn in the third book. There just isn't enough depth or intensity. Besides, I always pictured Aragorn with stubble, rather than a goatee.
