We all have our favorite moments in movies, books, and games, moments that stay with us long after the story is over. This column is my attempt to examine my favorite moments and see why they stick with me.

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The Movie: 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four’

The Scene: The Thing destroys his action figure.

Why It’s Great:

Sometimes the most memorable moments of a story are the silliest and most nonsensical. In 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four,’ that moment is when The Thing smashes his own action figure, which screams as it’s crushed into oblivion.

I have so many questions here: Is this toy sentient? Does it have a hyper-advanced AI that’s self aware and wants to have a life beyond being trapped in a plastic toy and being forced to say a single catchphrase over and over? If not, did the toy designers specifically record someone shrieking in anticipation of the toy being destroyed by particularly wild children? If so, how does the toy know when to play that sound effect? What kind of technology goes into that? And why am I spending so much time wondering about the backstory of a shrieking toy?

Regardless of the answers, this goofy action figure with a squeaky voice remains one of the highlights of the film, and a funny one because, in a standard superhero origin story that cost about $90 million to make, the destruction of a $10 toy is the most random, nonsensical, and funny moment.

RIP Thing Toy With Squeaky Voice. You were only on screen for 13 seconds, but you will never be forgotten. Press X to pay respects.