Why do unlikely characters so often become apocalyptic
prophets in modern film?
Apocalyptic literature focuses on unlikely characters
realizing the “most necessary of divine gifts-hope” and responding by embarking
on journeys to bring that hope to anyone who will listen (Pagels, 3). These
characters, often normal beings with little to no distinguishing characteristics
or even antagonists, are spurred by this revelation of hope to become
extraordinary by standing up against the dominant culture and exposing the
truth that was revealed to them. Wall-E, a robot tasked with compacting garbage
in his namesake movie, changes from an obsolete, loveable character to the
savior of humanity after finding the last living plant and bringing the robot-controlled
humans back to earth to renew humanity. In a very different way, Denzel
Washington, a blind mercenary in The Book
of Eli, brings the sole surviving copy of the Bible to the last vestige of
civilization after hearing from God and in so doing brings hope to a community
in the midst of unspeakable despair.
Unlikely characters do not only become prophets because of
revelation, but also because they make movie studios money. Americans like feel
good stories and pay to watch movies in which relatable characters save the
day. Moviegoers love the “unifying ‘do good’ feel” of people standing together
at the end of the world planting truffula trees and walking down from an arc
(Archer).
In real life, when hurricanes ravage levies, planes destroy
buildings, and pandemics wipe out entire people groups, it is the normal,
everyday person who stands up, wipes the dirt off his face, and fights the
injustice and despair with hope. That is what has always happened, and that is
what people want to see.
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