I don't want to do an all out review here. I just have to say that I really enjoyed the movie. Having bought the 2-Disk Special Edition and recently rewatched it, I'm motivated to share some of my thoughts about its powerful themes.
The story, the effects...it was a quality production. I know it didn't do that great ($400 million worldwide on a budget of around $240 million). Yet I read they plan to do a second one (they still made a profit).
Regarding the movie's themes, what I am so impressed and amazed by is the fact that the movie had some very powerful Christian themes. I know these weren't deliberate, but I know many reviewers noticed them. It is the fact that they weren't deliberate that makes them so fascinating.
Consider the scene where Superman tells Lois that even though she wrote that the world doesn't need Superman because the world doesn't need a saviour, he hears them calling out for one every day!
Amazing. In a world where everyone tends to live and think like they are just alright, and here is a movie admitting we need a saviour!
Then consider where Jor-El talks of sending his son, his only son to the earth because they have need of him. And the one being sent is good (sacrificing, desiring to help, doesn't lie, etc. -- though still not perfect from a biblical perspective, he is definitely far better that humans) and is very powerful. If that isn't a kind of picture of Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, God in the flesh, I don't know what is.
I know Superman isn't a true saviour, so I'm not offended by this imagery. I applaud it because it shows me the world realizes there is a true one. No?
Think about it. Think about the fact that such themes and images show up so clearly and powerfully in a movie for a world that would rather deny the existence of Jesus. All I put forth to those reading this the following key thought: Doesn't this make you wonder? Doesn't this make you wonder if you (all of us) really need a saviour, that we know it, and that we know--in the hearts--the One from whom to find it?
Things that make you go "Hmmm..." :-)
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Movie Review: Flushed Away
My feelings about Flushed Away are mixed. I have to say, like many people I'm sure, I really love CG movies. Being in the software development field, the technology of CG facinates me. And being a movie lover, I'm captivated by the look of CG movies, their colour, the detail. It is worse since I'm just a big kid at heart and CG movies are just the best type of cartoons :-).
What I saw the trailers for Flushed Away, I was immediately impressed with the graphics. The "Walice and Gromit" style of animation was a bit strange at first, but the visual quality was nonetheless impressive. The trailer had funny scenes, but at the same time appear to have some unappealing elements (bathroom humour, etc.).
I ended up going to see it with a friend, both of us bringing our children. Overall, I have to say the movie was just "okay". There were funny scenes (most were in the trailer). The slugs popping up at odd times with their high-pitched screams and breaking out in song were hilarious. The story, however, was just so-so. The story didn't develop in any way that drew me in. The incidents that happened just appeared to be thrown in, especially the stuff with the frogs. Many things that happened just seemed to have the purpose of enabling some kind of verbal or visual gag/joke.
The main problem I had with the movie was that it was shallow. It attempted to provide a moral regarding family, not being alone, focusing on things of value, but it never really did so...at least not in any substantial way. The moral seemed to be thinly and barely painted into the script. Additionally, the movie was filled with a lot of bathroom-type humour, gross elements (belching, making mess), lazy living, etc. without ever speaking to it (never mind the scene where the girl mouse had her panty showing). Such things are not appropriate, especially for young minds. Since they were never addressed as wrong and there was hardly a moral, these things were presented as okay and natural, rather than wrong.
Contrast that with movies like Over The Hedge and Cars.
Over The Hedge spoke clearly to the deceptive behaviour of the raccoon and through the turtle their reckless actions where condemned. Responsibility, honesty, family, etc. were clearly portrayed.
Cars spoke clearly to selfishness and self-centered attitudes. It also spoke to what is really important in life (not success and self-glorification, but friends, family, thinking of others).
Our media today needs less hollow stories with crude humour. We need movies with substance and purpose and messages. As Over The Hedge and Cars clearly demonstrate, it is possible to have a fun, exciting, visually engaging movie that is also substantive.
What I saw the trailers for Flushed Away, I was immediately impressed with the graphics. The "Walice and Gromit" style of animation was a bit strange at first, but the visual quality was nonetheless impressive. The trailer had funny scenes, but at the same time appear to have some unappealing elements (bathroom humour, etc.).
I ended up going to see it with a friend, both of us bringing our children. Overall, I have to say the movie was just "okay". There were funny scenes (most were in the trailer). The slugs popping up at odd times with their high-pitched screams and breaking out in song were hilarious. The story, however, was just so-so. The story didn't develop in any way that drew me in. The incidents that happened just appeared to be thrown in, especially the stuff with the frogs. Many things that happened just seemed to have the purpose of enabling some kind of verbal or visual gag/joke.
The main problem I had with the movie was that it was shallow. It attempted to provide a moral regarding family, not being alone, focusing on things of value, but it never really did so...at least not in any substantial way. The moral seemed to be thinly and barely painted into the script. Additionally, the movie was filled with a lot of bathroom-type humour, gross elements (belching, making mess), lazy living, etc. without ever speaking to it (never mind the scene where the girl mouse had her panty showing). Such things are not appropriate, especially for young minds. Since they were never addressed as wrong and there was hardly a moral, these things were presented as okay and natural, rather than wrong.
Contrast that with movies like Over The Hedge and Cars.
Over The Hedge spoke clearly to the deceptive behaviour of the raccoon and through the turtle their reckless actions where condemned. Responsibility, honesty, family, etc. were clearly portrayed.
Cars spoke clearly to selfishness and self-centered attitudes. It also spoke to what is really important in life (not success and self-glorification, but friends, family, thinking of others).
Our media today needs less hollow stories with crude humour. We need movies with substance and purpose and messages. As Over The Hedge and Cars clearly demonstrate, it is possible to have a fun, exciting, visually engaging movie that is also substantive.
Welcome - An Introduction
Welcome to my blog on perspectives on media.
My goal in this blog is to discuss ideas and thoughts with regards to the media that very much shapes our world perspectives. What we think about and opinions/views we form are very influenced by media, be it through movies, television, books, newspapers, the Internet, etc.
I very much enjoy watching movies (I wouldn't call myself a movie buff, but I enjoy a good movie to relax to) and I like reading.
I will admit that certain things I say will come from my conservative Christian worldview, but all opinions and views are welcome. Please feel free to participate. It is all of us together that make this world what it is. Let us share our views together.
My goal in this blog is to discuss ideas and thoughts with regards to the media that very much shapes our world perspectives. What we think about and opinions/views we form are very influenced by media, be it through movies, television, books, newspapers, the Internet, etc.
I very much enjoy watching movies (I wouldn't call myself a movie buff, but I enjoy a good movie to relax to) and I like reading.
I will admit that certain things I say will come from my conservative Christian worldview, but all opinions and views are welcome. Please feel free to participate. It is all of us together that make this world what it is. Let us share our views together.
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