The Avengers

The Avengers was definitely the biggest movie in the summer of 2012.  It Hulk-smashed all kinds of records with the money that it made.  Its success is due in part to the fact that it appeals to all ages and easily lends itself to repeat viewings, because it’s just plain fun.

It’s difficult to do an analysis on the “message” of this movie, in part because as a whole, it’s kinda disorganized.  Plot lines are a little scattered, and not many characters are allowed enough screentime to develop or have significant arcs.  Director Joss Whedon himself said:

“The Avengers” is notably IMperfect, which makes its success mean so much more to me — because it’s striking a chord that matters MORE than its obvious flaws. Like the team, it appears to be more than the sun [sic] of its parts. –source

I guess the overall message must be about teamwork, because the Avengers have to work together in order to defeat the invading alien army.  It takes them the better part of the film to get on the same page and iron out their individual issues, but in the final battle they form a single, super-powered unit.  Though not a particularly new or surprising message, it is a Biblical one.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up…Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. –Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12

The world of this movie presupposes the existence of super-beings and portals to alien worlds, but that’s standard fare in comic-based stories, and it’s not like the Bible doesn’t have its share of super-humans.  (Samson, Goliath).  Thor and Loki are referred to as “gods” but it’s been established that they are really just from another planet, so they appear to be more than human, but in this film Hulk demonstrates that Loki is a “puny god” and Captain America responds to Black Widow’s assessment of Thor and Loki as deities with “There’s only one God, ma’am, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that.”  In other words, I don’t have a theological problem with the premise of this story.

It’s just so much FUN to watch these guys punch each other through trees and stuff!

Even the title, “The Avengers,” isn’t really a problem for me, although we’re told in scripture that the revenge isn’t something we should pursue:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. –Romans 12:17-19

For one thing, an epic fight to save the entire human race from enslavement is a little different than avenging a personal wrong, and Loki and his army are not making it possible for the heroes to “live at peace” with them.  The Avengers might use the death of someone close to them as a unifying motivator to join forces against the invaders, but you have to admit that’s what they would have ended up doing anyway.  That motivation was partially included so they could allude to the title.  And finally, “avenging” the earth is not really what this team of superheroes does, it’s saving the earth and everybody in it just like every other superhero movie.  But when they wrote these comics, they didn’t want to call it “Team of Superheroes,” and “Justice League” was taken.  In other words, I don’t have a problem with the title of this movie despite its connotations.

The superheroes are not the only heroes in this film. Many “ordinary” humans, such as S.H.I.E.L.D agents Maria Hill and Phil Coulson, are equally brave and self-sacrificing.

There is a moment when Loki overpowers a crowd of terrified civilians and commands them to show him deference:

“Kneel before me. I said… KNEEL! Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state? It’s the unspoken truth of humanity that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life’s joy in a mad scramble for power. For identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel.”

Well, Loki is the villain, so of course we’re not meant to agree with what he says, but I just wanted to take it apart and compare it to what scripture actually says rather than writing the whole thing off as bad-guy-blather.  First, I do not think that God agrees that it’s better for humans to be in subjugation, but there might be some truth to the claim that humans crave it.  Sometimes.  If you look at 1 Samuel 8, God’s prophet warns the people what having a king will mean, in detail.  He outlines, at God’s command, all the ways that they will be oppressed if they choose to follow a human leader instead of their Godly one, but the people insist.  It’s a very interesting passage, but I’m referring to it because it’s clear that God’s ideal society does not involve the kind of subjugation that Loki is talking about.

“I am Loki of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious purpose.”

God does, however, perhaps agree with the statement that in the end, humans will kneel.  Because he has said:

Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. –Isaiah 45:23

It’s different from saying that humans are destined to be “ruled” in the sense that Loki is invoking, but it is true that our Creator made us to worship him and be ruled by him.  (Why do you think Jesus refers to the Kingdom of Heaven so much?  Who’s the King of that Kingdom?)  Anyway, the final point I wanted to make on Loki’s speech is that God’s intentions for humanity do not involve the squashing out of individual identity.  Just look at the passage in 1 Corinthians 12 on the diversity of spiritual gifts, and how one is not greater than the other, and all are essential.

I guess there are a lot of little micro-messages you might be able to take away from little moments in this movie; not really messages, but things you could use in a sermon or lesson illustration.  For example, if I were teaching teenagers on Jacob and Esau, I might say that they were a bit like Thor and Loki in The Avengers, in the sense that they are estranged brothers, because that motif seems to have really moved people.  I might reference Loki’s manipulation of Hawkeye to explain demon-possession.  I might reference Black Widow’s insistence that she’s only helping the team because she’s “got red in [her] ledger,” when talking about the futility of trying to save oneself by works alone.  I wouldn’t really use Iron Man’s allusion to the story of Jonah, since Biblical Jonah did not set off explosives inside the belly of the big fish, and movie-Iron Man did not spend any time in repentant prayer, so they really have nothing in common.  (But props to the movie for the Biblical shout-out.  And to computer-Jarvis for accurately assessing “I wouldn’t consider him a role model.”  I mean, Jonah’s story begins and ends with him kind of being bitter and wimpy.)

In conclusion, I would totally recommend this movie, to everyone, because it is, as I can’t emphasize enough, just plain fun.  And it’s the most fun if you’ve seen all the other Marvel movies, too.  (Iron Man I, Iron Man II, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger).  I am greatly anticipating the next several films that Marvel is developing, and I hope that I will be able to endorse them as well.

Captain America: The First Avenger

“Who’s strong and brave, here to save the American way?  Who vows to fight like a man to defend what is right night and day? Carry the flag shore to shore for America, from Hoboken to Spokane?  The Star Spangled Man with a plan!”

The lines above are from a song featured in the film.

It’s Captain America!

This film. Was. So! Amazing!  Excellent storytelling!  I had a goofy grin on my face almost the whole time with sheer delight at how good it was.  It had a great cast, plot symmetry and character parallels, unexpected twists, an overly ambitious villain, (“his target is…everywhere!”), and an admirable hero!  Plus it was chock-full of fantastic dialogue.  I gave up trying to write down all the great lines, this is one I’m going to have to go see again, and it will definitely be joining my personal collection when it comes out on DVD.

This is a Marvel comic movie.  Marvel is doing a fantastic job handling their properties, tying them all together and making me eager to see more.  It really feels like you are watching a comic book universe come to life.  Did you see Iron Man and Iron Man II?  Did you see Thor?  And the tags at the end of them all?  If so, you’ll have an extra level of appreciation for Captain America, but you can totally enjoy and follow it even if you haven’t.

The good guy (Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, played by Chris Evans) is really good.  The bad guy (Schmidt, aka Red Skull, played by Hugo Weaving) is really bad.  And just like in X-Men:First Class, their character and choices define them, not their superpowers.  Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci) describes his transforming serum by saying, “[it] amplifies everything inside, so good becomes great, bad becomes worse.”  It’s why the pathetically weak and tiny Steve Rogers is chosen for the experimental procedure in the first place, and the Dr. asks him to promise that he will “stay who you are.  Not a perfect soldier, but a good man.”

Boy, is he good.  Chasing bad guys, saving innocents, respecting women, braving the odds, serving his country, and literally incapable of getting drunk.  Even though he’s beefed up for most of the movie, what I really loved about our hero was how heroically he acted before he got his strength.  How he would stand up against “bullies” even when he didn’t actually stand a chance, because it was the right thing to do.  He was principled.  It reminded me of 1 Timothy 4:12, which says,

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

"Put a needle in that kid's arm, it's gonna go right through him."

It’s not exactly the same, but the idea that you can still set an example and make a difference even if people perceive you as too weak, small or young is inspiring and powerful.  And it’s reinforced by the fact that the other guys on Captain America’s team prove themselves to be just as heroic, effectively contributing to their missions even though they aren’t “super soldiers.”

Then of course there’s the whole good-versus-evil theme.  It’s very clear cut, very black and white.  It is interesting, however, to note the 40s-era propaganda style featured throughout the film.  (I spent some time on my other blog deciphering the lyrics to the USO song featured in the film, and they are very…propaganda-y.)  It seems so obviously manipulative, and it makes me want to re-evaluate the things I’ve seen lately.  Do I recognize modern propaganda every time I see it?

Oh man, this move was so good.  And yes, you do have to sit through all the credits to get to the tag scene, but the music while you wait is terrific.  And you will be rewarded with a glimpse at Captain America, the first Avenger’s fellow assembly members.  Summer 2012!

"I don't want to kill anyone. I just don't like bullies, no matter where they come from."

Green Lantern

*Sigh*  Poor Ryan Reynolds.  I like you, and I really wanted to like your movie, but it was not good.  Maybe if I was already familiar with the comics it would have been more enjoyable, since I wouldn’t have been frustrated by the lack of adequately explained relationships or character development, and I might have been excited enough at seeing characters come to life to overlook their clunky dialogue.  But it was not so, and just like a Lantern, ‘no evil [terrible movie element] shall escape my sight.’

Here’s the backstory, as gleaned by me from this film: The Guardians are immortal beings who “made all you see and are responsible for all we are,” (spoken by a Lantern on Oa and so possibly referring to that particular planet and the Green Lantern corps, but ambiguously allowing for an interpretation that includes the entire universe and really either way setting this council of oversized-cranium creatures that sit immobile in a giant Stonehenge-esque circle as gods.)  These beings “harnessed the emerald energy of willpower” however many eons ago, because they decided it was the “strongest energy in the universe.”  That’s what the green rings are all about, being able to manipulate matter, I guess, according to whatever your will is?  But you also need a lantern, to charge the ring, apparently?  Or something.  And to wear a green ring and be a Green Lantern of the Green Lantern corps you have to be “without fear.”  Because “fear is what stops you and makes you weak.”  But the rings chose their own wearers, so it’s not like you have to pass any sort of test or know anything about yourself and what you are capable of, the ring will do the self-evaluating for you!  Handy.

Anyway, a rogue member of The Guardians had wanted to harness the power of fear instead of will, (should I be capitalizing those abstract nouns?), an idea rejected by the rest of the council because “the power of fear is too unpredictable, the chance for corruption too great.”  Interesting…by implication then willpower is predictable and incorruptible?  I don’t think that’s exactly what has been evidenced throughout history.  And it’s certainly in direct opposition to The Lord of the Rings, for example, when the One Ring of power is forged with Sauron’s “will to dominate all life,” and binds the will of the nine human lords with lesser rings to his own, and when Isildur has a chance to destroy it he doesn’t because “the hearts of men are easily corrupted,” etc. etc.  Then you have Harry Potter which pretty much argues that self-sacrificing love is the greatest power, the strongest and oldest magic.  And God, the real immortal who really is responsible for creating everything we see, is actually the ultimate power in the universe.  No, I remain unconvinced that the strongest, most incorruptible power in the universe is willpower, although it is amazing what sheer will can accomplish.  But sometimes girls use a steely willpower to starve themselves; is it a virtue then? I would agree it is perhaps the strongest force to use against fear, as Scottish poet Joanna Baillie so eloquently put it:

“The brave man is not he who feels no fear,
For that were stupid and irrational;
But he, whose noble soul its fears subdues,
And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.”

That’s certainly one of the themes to Green Lantern, and it’s a good one.  Bravery is an action, a decision, not a feeling.  In any case, the rogue (maverick!) Guardian goes off by himself and tries to harness fear, and it all goes awry and he becomes the Big Bad, Parallax.  He feeds on people’s fears, which according to the CGI come popping out of bodies in skeletal form.  He’s destroying everything in his path and headed for earth. (I’m skipping a lot of details and subplots, because it would just devolve into script criticisms.  Seriously.  It’s terrible.)

The Guardians don’t think fighting Parallax is worth the risk, and you know, they are all wise and stuff because they have to consider eternity in their decisions.  This doesn’t really make sense to me, but oh well.  Newly minted Green Lantern Corps member (and first human to wear the ring) Hal Jordan tries to persuade them otherwise.  (Why does he need permission to fight for his world?)  “I know humans are a young species, and we have much to learn,” Hal says, “but we are worth saving!”  Long pause…crickets…this is the part, Hal, where you reinforce your position with supporting facts, or at least emotional appeals.  Why are humans worth saving?  The movie doesn’t even try to come up with an answer.  Battlestar Galactica’s Sharon Valerii (Athena) would be so dissapointed.  She’s the Cylon that tells Adama, in answer to his question about why the Cylons are out to destroy humanity,

“You said that humanity was a flawed creation, and that people still kill one another for petty jealousy and greed. You said that humanity never asked itself why it deserved to survive. Maybe you don’t.”

No, we don’t.  There is no argument that can be made on the basis of how even the best of us behave.  We’re all flawed and corrupt and selfish and fallen.  But God thinks we are worth saving.  Not because we deserve it, not because of anything we’ve done or failed to do, but because he loves us.

^“7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   -Romans 5:7-8

That’s not a message you’ll find in Green Lantern.  It’s just a bad script, decent but omnipresent CGI, awkward dialogue, good acting from Peter Sarsgaard and Ryan Reynolds, bad acting from Blake Lively, and an overall message that fear=bad and willpower=good.  Reality is much more complicated.  Green Lantern’s light doesn’t shine on anything useful.

Ryan Reynolds' willpower isn't strong enough to conjure up a better script