Ordinary to Extraordinary

 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.

The apocalyptic qualities of WALL-E

            “Whether one sees in John’s visions the destruction of the whole world or the dark tunnel that propels each of us toward our own death, his final vision suggests that even after the worst we can imagine has happened, we may find the astonishing gift of new life.”

            This quote from Elaine Pagel’s article, “What Revelation Reveals,” points out the hopeful nature of the end of apocalyptic myths. The 2008 animated film, WALL-E, includes an optimistic sentiment throughout the film which expands at the end. WALL-E finds a single sign of life on a seemingly lifeless earth and rescues mankind from its consumer culture and excessive waste. The small plant he finds represents “the astonishing gift of new life” that Pagel mentions in her article, and eventually leads to a bright future for mankind back on earth.

            In his comic, “Apocalypse Left and Right: A Graphic Primer,” Dan Archer quotes end time predictor, Jerry Falwell, as saying, “I believe in the pre-tribunal coming of Christ for all of his church, and yes, I believe Jesus is coming a second time and will be in the future.” Predictions of the end times by present day religious fanatics such as Falwell tend to include this idea of a single person who comes to save all those who are righteous. In WALL-E, WALL-E fills this role. The fate of the planet and its former inhabitants fall upon him. Like the characters that fill this role in other apocalyptic stories, WALL-E is on the fringe and viewed as irrelevant or outdated. Although it is a lighthearted children’s movie, WALL-E, includes many characteristics of apocalyptic tales.