 : The other characters, aside from Vincent Valentine, only seemed to be thrown in their for the sack of the fans and did not really seem to have a major role to play in the film.  I know that it was meant to symbolise friendship and family which has been said to be a major theme throughout the movie but they really needed to have a more important role in the film aside from helping cloud defeat bahamut.  Also doesnt sephiroth count as a major character in the film.