Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most popular video games ever released. Ever since its release in the fall of 2013, GTA V has remained a best seller. The reasons for this are many, including its fantastic online component that brought an expansive online experience to the GTA series.
Another reason for its popularity and acclaim is the strength of the writing. The story is not only exciting and well-told, it's also filled with many memorable characters. These characters all have unique personalities, and these personalities are summed up with some great bits of dialogue.
"Just Ignore The Bodies!" - Trevor
There's a theory that the three main characters of Grand Theft Auto V represent three types of GTA players. If that's true, then Trevor Phillips represents the player who causes as much chaos, destruction, and pain as possible.
While Trevor isn't very likable, as a person, he's a ton of fun to watch. He is completely unhinged, and he has no qualms about killing and torturing others. "Just ignore the bodies" is a perfect representation of his violent and unbalanced state of mind.
"You Cool? Cool What? Slinging Dope And Throwing Up Gang Signs?" - Franklin
Franklin Clinton is a man with aspirations. He begins the story as a low-life thug from the hood, repossessing cars for a shady car dealer with his friend, Lamar. And while Lamar is happy with this life (more on that in a bit), Franklin wants more.
After Lamar voices his pleasure with the life he's living, Franklin criticizes his lifestyle and his lack of ambition. It's a great representation of his character, as he's always looking up for something more.
"My Life May Be A World Of Pain, But From Here On Out It's Gonna Be Cool, Comfortable, Air Conditioned Pain." - Michael
Michael is one of the best playable characters in the GTA series, being a complex mix of hardened career criminal, aging father/husband going through a mid-life crisis, and lonely sad sack.
Michael is conditioned to the pain of his life, and he's content living in mediocrity. All he wants is to be passively entertained and comforted, all while doing nothing to better himself or his personal situation.
"When The Timing's Right, You're Gonna Take Old Trevor And Put Him Out To Pasture, Homie." - Steve
Even amongst the antagonists of Grand Theft Auto V, Steve Haines is a real jerk. A corrupt FIB agent, Steve constantly orders the protagonists around through his leverage and position of power. He wants them to do exactly what he orders them to do, even if it means killing their own allies.
He's also a horrible person on a character level, as evident by his patronizing use of "homie" while talking to Franklin. The above quote is a great representation of Steve's bossy attitude, corrupt and powerful nature, and slimy personality.
"Yes, But We're Corrupt In A Good Way." - Dave
The writers of Grand Theft Auto have always been great at nailing satire, and that is evident in the above quote from Dave Norton. Like Steve Haines, Dave is a corrupt member of the FIB, having very close ties to Michael and his group of career criminals.
When Michael makes fun of Dave's corrupt nature, Dave responds that he's corrupt in a good way. Like most corrupt people, he thinks he's doing the world a service when really he's just fraternizing with the bad guys.
"Frankly, I'm Rich Enough To Do Whatever The F*ck I Want." - Devin
The third antagonist of Grand Theft Auto V is Devin Weston, a business tycoon and powerful billionaire, being a major shareholder of Merryweather Security. Devin has many criminal interests, and he often associates with the three main characters.
Devin is virtually untouchable by the law, and he knows as much. When he tells Franklin that he can do "whatever the f*ck [he] wants," owing to his financial status, everyone believes him.
"I Love It Here. Everyone's So Numbed By The Sun That If You Use A Three Syllable Word, They Think You're A Professor." - Lester
Lester Crest is a very smart individual, being the primary brains behind Michael's criminal operations. He's also a tech whiz who can utilize security systems to his own advantage. However, Lester is also a little narcissistic, especially when it comes to his own intelligence.
Lester genuinely believes that he's better than everyone - especially the supposedly vapid and shallow people that inhabit Los Santos. It's funny, but it can also be a little annoying.
"I'm Getting My Money In The Hood, I'm Straight, Fool." - Lamar
One of the best supporting characters of the franchise, Lamar begins his subplot stealing cars with Franklin. Unlike Franklin, Lamar is perfectly content stealing cars, earning good money, and living "in the hood."
As he tells Franklin, "I'm getting my money in the hood, I'm straight." Lamar doesn't want to leave, and he doesn't want to do anything but earn good money, even if it means working for a shady car dealer. He's the perfect foil to Franklin and a relatable character in his own right.
"You Are Alone, You Pathetic Psychopath!" - Amanda
In some ways, the Michael-Amanda subplot in GTA V could make a great movie about divorce. While Michael and Amanda pretend to be happy in their sunny and extravagant LA lifestyle, they are not.
Michael is basically numb to life, and Amanda harbors resentment towards her lonely and violent husband. When she tells Michael, "You are alone, you pathetic psychopath!" players can't help but nod in agreement. Amanda certainly knows her husband.
"Go Away." - Jimmy
Part of Michael's frustration stems from the personality and outlook of his young son, Jimmy. Jimmy is at the stage in which teenagers just want to be left alone. Having rich parents, Jimmy doesn't need to work and feels extremely entitled.
Instead of doing something noble or productive, he spends every day locked inside his dark bedroom playing video games and smoking marijuana. He tells a visiting Michael to "go away" so he can play video games, and it probably isn't the first time he's said those words.