Top 10 Movie Characters Trying Way too Hard to be Cool

#10: James Franco “This Is the End” (2013)

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Actor, writer, director and… apocalypse survivor? Franco is thrown into the deep end in this movie, when partygoers at his house are confronted by an apocalypse of biblical proportions and must fight for survival. Despite arguments between friends and a dwindling supply of food and water, Franco takes the lead and tries to keep things together. With his collection of booze and drugs, the ownership of a pistol, and an unfailing sense of humor, Franco tries to impress his friends even in the wake of imminent death. But not even blue beams of light or the promise of heaven can save him from himself.

What could possibly go wrong in a park filled with live dinosaurs? Well, for surly teenager Zach, it’s just another babysitting job, as he has to follow his dorky little brother to keep an eye on him. He tries to make the most of the trip, flirting with girls around the park and basically ignoring poor Gray. Of course, when the smart and terrifying Indominus Rex escapes and it comes time for Zach to show his mettle, he proves that he can be a pretty great big brother after all. But that doesn’t stop him from preferring to latch onto raptor whisperer Owen for safety.

The first of the sequels to the original “Star Wars” trilogy introduces us to Kylo Ren, the lightsaber-wielding, mask-wearing villain of the film. Having fallen to the dark side of the Force, Ren comes across as foreboding and ominous, able to stop a blaster bolt mid-air with the Force. But as the film progresses, this image of him disintegrates as he frequently loses his temper and struggles to uphold the legacy of the great Darth Vader. By the end, we see that he’s just an angst-y kid, trying way too hard to intimidate people and keep his grasp on power.

When nerdy new girl Cady enrolls in a normal high school after being homeschooled in Africa all her life, it’s nothing short of a culture shock. She has to learn to navigate her way through the jungle of unspoken rules, and how to choose her friends wisely so she doesn’t end up one of the losers. By chance, she falls into the world of the Plastics; the pretty, popular girls who rule the school. In the ultimate attempt to seem cool, Cady imitates them so well that she eventually takes over from supreme mean girl, Regina George, compromising friendships, morals, and her sense of self along the way.

Wealthy and pompous, Malfoy makes enemies of our favorite boy wizard, Harry Potter, very quickly. Everyone loves to hate the rich kid, and Malfoy, with his dull henchmen and persistent snark, is no different. From the moment he’s introduced, when he encourages Harry to choose his friends more wisely, to the end of the series when he succumbs to the powers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Malfoy’s just another kid who has to learn the hard way that daddy’s money can’t buy everything. Not even a hug and the approval from Lord Voldemort himself can erase the years of looking down his nose at the wizarding world’s beloved hero.

#5: Danny Zuko “Grease” (1978)

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With his sleek hair, leather jacket and his gang of cigarette-smoking, car-obsessed friends, Danny easily seems like the coolest guy at Rydell High. It isn’t till Sandy, the girl he met over the summer break, starts at Rydell that Danny’s image starts to unravel. Turns out he’s all bravado and cockiness in front of his friends, but beneath his showing off, he’s someone else. Trying to reconcile who his friends think he is with the guy Sandy knows he is, Danny finds himself stuck between those summer nights and that greased lightning. And boy do we love the awkward laugh and the strut when the facade drops and he scrambles to save face.

#4: Kim Jong-un “The Interview” (2014)

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When talk show host Dave Skylark decides to interview North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for his show, he’s not prepared for how intense things get. First impressions are everything, and Kim – being a Dave Skylark superfan – makes sure Dave knows he’s got the slickest duds, the nicest grocery stores and the biggest tank this side of Pyongyang. Of course, Kim’s not above intimidating those who would see him fail, and can scare the crap out of anyone who doubts his ability. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his soft spots: after all, he cries when he hears Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Or maybe it’s just Skylark’s singing that brings him to tears.

Kipland Ronald Dynamite himself may not be the coolest guy on the block, but he sure tries to be. With his Uncle Rico mentoring him on everything from women to football, Kip wiles away the hours training to be a cage fighter or challenging Napoleon to beat him up or talking to ladies through his computer. Of course, that’s where he meets LaFawnduh, and really starts making an effort to seem cool. Transforming himself into an early-2000s rapper – complete with chains, oversized clothes and ‘do-rag – Kip gets to ride into the sunset with his ladylove for his efforts. Huh, maybe Kip IS the coolest guy in Preston, Idaho.

#2: Scott Pilgrim “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010)

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Scott Pilgrim desperately wants to be with Ramona Flowers, but has to defeat her seven exes first, using only his wits and skills as a bassist. Sounds badass, right? Well, Scott is anything but. Scott’s pretty content spending his days learning the bassline to “Final Fantasy II,” mooching off his way cooler roommate Wallace, and trying to show off his trivia knowledge by explaining the origins of “Pac-Man.” However, once he meets the girl of his dreams, he does everything he can to impress her and seem cool. But, based on the fact that he thinks the “L” word is “lesbian,” we’d say it’s an uphill battle for him. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few Honorable Mentions: - Clark Griswold “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983) - Lex Luthor “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016) - Justin Hammer “Iron Man 2” (2010)

#1: Seth “Superbad” (2007)

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Seth is clearly insecure, but he masks it by throwing out insults, attempting to talk himself up and dropping awkward jokes whenever he feels uncomfortable. He’s tasked with bringing the booze to a big end-of-year party, and since he’s always been kind of a loser, Seth is determined to make this party the highlight of his high school career. So, he gets some help from his friend Fogell, who also tries too hard to impress others, in order to buy the alcohol. While the party’s not all hookups with hot girls like he’d hoped, Seth manages to impress the cool kids enough to make sure that party isn’t his last.