Buddy
The Character: Will Ferrell can occasionally be a little too abrasive for his own good, but in Elf he strikes exactly the right tone, playing the displaced Christmas helper with just the right blend of confusion, exuberance and wide-eyed innocence. He’s still quite loud, mind…
Most Endearing Moment: “SAAAAANTA! Oh my God! Santa, here? I know him. I know him!”
Ray Stantz
The Character: Sure, Venkman is the funny one, but when it comes to the most likeable, Ray wins hands-down. He’s like an overgrown child in his enthusiasm for ghost-hunting! At least he is in theory… when he’s actually confronted with a real spook he practically soils himself.
Most Endearing Moment: His plaintive explanation of why he thought of the Stay-Puft marshmallow man. “I tried to think of the most harmless thing…”
Bill & Ted
The Characters: The loveably boneheaded rockers might not be the sharpest tools in the box, but their hearts are in the right place, and they know their way around a guitar lick. Plus, if we were mates with them, we’d have access to time travel. Which would be, y’know, radical.
Most Endearing Moment: Challenging Death to a game of Battleships. Good call, boys. Good call.
Andy Stitzer
The Character: Steve Carell’s titular 40-year-old virgin is a thoroughly decent sort, hanging out with his elderly neighbours, working hard at his job and generally trying to fit in. He’s just chronically, painfully shy when it comes to women. And who hasn’t been there at one time or another?
Most Endearing Moment: His storming out of the store when he thinks everyone is laughing at him. Thankfully, nice old Paul Rudd is on hand to cheer him up.
Alfred Pennyworth
The Character: Bruce Wayne’s butler turned guardian was always a likeable figure when played by Michael Gough, but Michael Caine cranks up the warm and fuzzies to the next level, playing Alfred as a mixture of mentor, friend and father figure. Things must really be bad to make him cry in the Dark Knight Rises trailer…
Most Endearing Moment: The joke he shares with Bruce as they leave their secret lockup. “I suppose they’ll lock me up as well,” he remarks, “ as your accomplice.” “Accomplice?” responds Bruce. “I’m going to tell them the whole thing was your idea.”
Woody
The Character: Toy Story ’s resident sherriff, Woody’s pride and joy is the fun he brings to his owner, Andy. Fiercely loyal to his fellow toys, he’s a worthy leader of their merry band, even if he does have a tendency to go off at the deep end as Andy begins to grow up…
Most Endearing Moment: The point at which he stares oblivion in the face at the end of Toy Story 3 , reaching for the hand of his old friend Buzz. If you’re not crying by this point, you’re dead inside.
Samwise Gamgee
The Character: Most people’s gardeners wouldn’t bother to mow the lawn if they didn’t think somebody was watching. Frodo Baggins on the other hand, has a gardener who will travel to the ends of the earth for him, even going as far as to carry him up a dirty great mountain. That’s the kind of dedication we look for in an employee.
Most Endearing Moment: “I can’t carry it for you Master Frodo, but I can carry you!”
Dr. Emmett Brown
The Character: Wacky scientist Doc Brown is so instantly likeable, that his untimely death at the hands of a posse of Libyans brings a tear to the eye just minutes after the character has been introduced. When Marty travels back in time and encounters the younger Doc, it’s a relief to discover he’s just as puppyishly excitable as his latter-day counterpart.
Most Endearing Moment: The manic glee with which he goes dancing down the street when he realises he has successfully sent Marty back… TO THE FUTURE!
Chewbacca
The Character: Han might be a little too pleased with himself for some tastes, but seriously, who doesn’t like Chewie? Not only is he a total badass, but he also looks as though he’d give a great hug. What more could you ask for in a Wookie?
Most Endearing Moment: The part he plays in Han’s rescue. That’s what friends are for, right?
Marge Gunderson
The Character: Frances McDormand bagged an Oscar for her performance as heavily pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson, whose unwavering sense of right and wrong leads her down an extremely treacherous path, but one she refuses to shy away from. Good for her!
Most Endearing Moment: Her closing words to Peter Stormare’s hood as they sit in the police cruiser. “What for?” she asks of the spate of recent killings. “For a little bit of money. There’s more to life than a little money, you know.”
