Captain America: The Righteous Man II

It's been almost a year since Avengers: Age of Ultron was released, which gave rise to my previous discourse on Captain America, which you can find here.  Since then, I've had many more thoughts with regards to the character of Captain America.  Since we are about a week-and-a-half away from the release of Captain America: Civil War, I thought it would be a great time to write a bit more about my favorite superhero.

Since my last post, I have re-watched both Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Avengers: Age of Ultron a few times.  It's been interesting to see the two movies in light of each other, as I've been picking up several of the hints that Marvel's been dropping. (Tangent: This is one of the reasons I love Marvel! They drop hints all over the place, just to see if their fans pick them up. This makes it enjoyable (if not necessary) to watch the movie more than once because the first time you might miss something (or a lot of things, haha).)

Let's talk Winter Soldier for a little bit.

This movie gives some very great insight to the internal struggle that, at least from my perspective, Captain America faces in general.  Cap finds himself often caught between a rock and a hard place of what people expect of him and the standard he holds himself to.  He's determined to do the right thing, no matter what anyone else things.  The challenge therein is that not everyone holds that same position.  A key moment where this is manifested is in the moment where Director Fury takes Cap to see Project Insight.  

SPOILER WARNING

"For once, we're way ahead of the curve."
"By holding a gun to everyone on earth and calling it security." 

"You know I read those SSR files. Greatest generation? You guys did some nasty stuff."

"Yeah. We compromised. Sometimes in ways that made us not sleep so well. But we did it so people could be free. This isn't freedom. This is fear."

"SHIELD takes the world as it is, not as we'd like it to be. And it's getting [high] time for you to get with that program, Captain." 

"Don't hold your breath."

Fury, like some others, doesn't see much value in Cap's commitment to doing what's right.  He seems to have one mindset: security, security, security.  This isn't a bad thing. It's important and, in many ways, necessary. There is a responsibility to respect the innocent.  But there's also a need to respect man's free will.  The trouble with Project Insight is that it does not take into any account the possibility of conversion: it doesn't believe that people can change for the better.  Cap makes a very good point when he says: "I thought the punishment usually came after the crime."  Fury responds: "We can't afford to wait that long."  Protective measures are important, absolutely.  But, like Cap says, operating under the mindset of punishing before the crime (and denying the truth that people can change) is operating under the influence of fear, not a respect for and protection of freedom.  

Now, let's jump back over to Age of Ultron to the "chopping wood" scene with Cap and Ironman (one of my favorite parts).  

"Thor didn't say where he was going for answers?"
"Sometimes my teammates don't tell me things. I was kind of hoping Thor would be the exception." 

"Yeah, give him time. We don't know what the Maximoff kid showed him."
"I don't know what she showed you. I just know it made you do something stupid. Earth's mightiest heroes, and they pulled us apart like cotton candy." 

"Seems like you walked away all right." 

"Is that a problem?" 

"I don't trust a guy without a dark side. Call me old fashioned." 

"Well, let's just say you haven't seen it yet." 

... 

Too great a moment not to include. Haha!

"Every time someone tries to end a war before it starts, innocent people die. Every time."

 I like this moment of the movie because it reveals something in both Ironman and Cap. Ironman (Tony) has a good heart and good intentions. He wants to protect people; not just the world, but his friends, his teammates. They matter to him. That shows more clearly than ever both when Scarlet Witch messes with his mind, and when he talks to Fury about it directly after the chopping wood scene. 

In this moment, it's clear that what Tony cares about is protecting his friends and his planet. His fear of losing both, of failing, is what drove him to create Ultron. Ultron wasn't a bad idea, it just was a rushed job and they didn't fully understand what they were dealing with until is was too late.  The driving force behind it was more fear than reason.  This is where things can get dangerous. When fear takes control and reason is put on the back burner, bad things happen.  But, Tony is human, like the rest of us.  We fail. We make bad choices. But we keep trying to do better. That's one of the reasons I love Tony. He depicts the human struggle so well.  

But returning to the main man of this post, I realize that many people dislike Cap because he doesn't seem to exhibit this human struggle.  Well, I think people are wrong about that, and I think that Civil War is going to show us just how wrong we've been in assuming that.  He hinted at it himself: "Let's just say you haven't seen [my dark side] yet."  But put him in a position where suddenly he's not just dealing with saving the world and helping his friends, but he also has to consider how he can help his childhood best friend who everyone thinks is a villain.... I think we're going to have a very interesting dynamic there. This is where the human struggle comes in. It can be simple enough to know the right thing to do when the struggle is outside of us. But put yourself in a situation where you're torn between someone who's been with you from the beginning and someone who's recently become a good friend, and they're not on the same side, ...that's a struggle. Deciding between putting yourself and others in check, and exposing people who, if discovered, may be in real danger...also a tough choice. This is the drama that I think is going to be played out in Civil War.  But we'll see if I'm right. Marvel has a way of throwing us curveballs that we didn't see coming (and I love them for it).  

In most of what we've seen so far, Cap's struggle is more focused on living virtue and being a good man in a society that doesn't really support that. In many ways, he's like the Church. People want him to get with the times and leave behind those values that have been instilled in him and that he has chosen to hold onto.  But that's unrealistic for them to expect him to "get with the times" because those values are a part of who he is.  Without them, what would he be? They have been part of his life for so long that living without them is unthinkable.  But, what I also see in Cap, is that he really does try to understand that not everyone has that same disposition.  Not everyone is as committed to doing what's right as he is, or maybe they're just not as capable of doing the highest form of good because they're still learning how to do what's right.  This is apparent in both Winter Soldier and Age of Ultron.  

I know I talked about this in my other post on Captain America, but I think it's worth repeating.  In Winter Soldier, it's clear that Cap doesn't always agree with Natasha or her methods. But, nevertheless, he wants to be her friend.  He cares about her.  I also think that this ends up being inspiring to Natasha because, in the scene that the image above is from, what else would motivate her to ask the question: "If it was the other way around, and it was down to me to save your life, and you be honest with me, would you trust me to do it?" She wants to know that Cap trusts her. Why? Because she trusts him, and she wants to be trustworthy like that. But I also love how, at this point in the movie, Cap is not at all judgmental of Natasha.  He knows where she's been, he knows some of what she's done; but that doesn't stop him from wanting to be her friend.  

But meeting someone where they are shouldn't mean you're necessarily content to let them stay there.  A big part of truly transformative friendships is that those friends call each other on and challenge one another to be better.  

One of my favorite lines from Age of Ultron (though I have many) follows Natasha's teasing remark at Barton's house when the Avengers are all gathered with Fury.  

Screenshot from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeL2rXhThY  

"Steve doesn't like that kind of talk." 

"You know what, Romanoff?" 

Fury says: "Well then what does he want?"  

Steve replies: "To become better. Better than us."  

What is that but a description of the practice of virtue?  We strive to become better, better than us.  Not in a way that who we are is obliterated, but that who we are is transformed.  That's the way grace works: it doesn't utterly destroy what was there before; it purifies it of all imperfections and makes it into something greater.  This isn't possible by ourselves; only through the gift of grace. In other words, holiness isn't just staying you and adding Jesus to the picture; it's letting yourself be transformed by Jesus into the person that He made you to be (which is better than anything we could imagine for ourselves).  

Throughout Age of Ultron there's this ongoing joke of teasing Cap about his dislike of foul language.  This is highly entertaining. But I think people often miss that Cap, as the movie goes on, decides to be understanding of his fellows and that maybe he can't expect them all to not use that kind of language. That doesn't mean he has to like it; it just might mean that he doesn't comment on it, but he might show some sign of disapproval. There's nothing wrong with that. Personally, I'm not a person who uses foul language. People around me might; I don't run away covering my ears. It's part of life. Some people are okay with talking that way. That doesn't mean I have to be; it also doesn't mean I have to lecture them over it. But we're getting onto another tangent, so I'm going to bring it back again. Cap learns to meet his teammates where they are.  He doesn't lecture. He even admits that his remark, "Language!" slipped out.  It's not a matter of criticism. It's a matter of becoming better.  

Now, in preparation for Civil War, I want to comment on a few things I noticed in the trailer for the new movie (which you can watch here.)  

Please indulge me here, as I have not read the comics and, as a result, the following is purely speculation on my part given the movies thus far and my own perspective(s).  

Boom. First line: 

"With this job, you try to save as many people as you can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody; but you don't give up."  

Cap puts into words the challenge of being looked to as a hero.  You do whatever you can to save as many people as possible.  Even then, you might lose someone.  But that doesn't mean you stop trying.  

(NEXT PARAGRAPH CONTAINS SPOILERS from AGE OF ULTRON.)

In the next few seconds of the trailer, where footage is being shown of the destruction wracked upon the world in the times where the Avengers have saved the world, I especially noticed Cap's concern for Scarlet Witch.  She is obviously distressed at seeing the destruction of her home and the memories tied to that fight.  Seeing that distress, Cap wants to help, and simply says: "Okay. That's enough." Again, I think this is revelatory of a heart for others.  He knows what it is to lose someone, and he sympathizes with the hurt that loss can bring.

(END OF SPOILERS.)

"Captain, people are afraid." 

Enter Ironman.  

"We need to be put in check. Whatever form that takes, I'm game." 

"I'm sorry, Tony. If I see a situation pointed south, I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could."
"Sometimes I want to punch you in your perfect teeth." 

"I know we're not perfect, but the safest hands are still our own." 

Here's my take on this scenario: Ironman has a valid point. Humans with superpowers can be a very dangerous thing.  Some regulation may indeed be necessary to prevent further destruction or to prevent that destruction being blamed on the wrong people.  

However, with what Tony is suggesting (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)

which, from what I've heard is that superheroes would be required to be registered, 

(END OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS)

the danger may be that certain heroes who want to keep a low profile for legitimate reasons.  For instance, Hawkeye, (POSSIBLE AGE OF ULTRON SPOILERS) 

who might want to protect his family by keeping his location (and theirs) secret, would no longer be able to do so.  Suppose that registration information gets into the wrong hands?  Suddenly, earth's mightiest heroes are in danger of being helpless to save the world because they are neutralized before the trouble even starts or taken out of the picture entirely.  Like so many other things in life, an appropriate balance has to be struck.  How do you keep the world safe without exploiting those who help to keep it safe?  I'm curious to see the outcome of this difference of opinion in the new movie.  

(END OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS) 

"I'm sorry, Tony.  If I see a situation pointed south, I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could."  

I think Cap expresses here a struggle that many of us have, at least internally. We might see where a situation is bound to go.  We might want to ignore it and let people make their own mistakes.  Sometimes that's all right; sometimes it's necessary.  But in this particular situation, Cap realizes he can't just turn a blind eye because, if he does, a lot of people might be put in serious danger, including his friends.  He can't responsibly let this mistake be made because he knows the outcome could be detrimental.  Cap acknowledges that the Avengers (including himself, since he says "we" not "you guys") are not perfect. They've made mistakes.  But, at the same time, Cap knows his teammates well enough to know that what they want is to protect people.  So long as that's what their powers are being used for, there shouldn't be a problem. But Ironman sees the weaker side of man (which is not a bad thing). He sees that these heroes, even the ones he trusts so much, have and can still make mistakes that might have a very high cost.  Perhaps, in his own failures, he's experienced that dramatic shift where one moment you're saving the world and the next you're serving yourself (I'm thinking of Ironman 2 here mostly, but it's been a while since I've seen it.)  He acknowledges that weakness in himself, and he realizes that it's not just his problem. Others might have that same temptation.  That's what he wants to prevent.  

This is why, for me, it's a tough draw.  I'm not sure exactly what side I'm on yet. I may not choose one, simply because I can see that both sides might be right about some things and wrong about others. That's humanity for you. My gut tells me that Cap has the right idea; but I also like him a lot, so I don't want that bias to creep into my decision too much. But I also love Ironman, and I think his opinion of the need for some restriction may be well-founded. 

I won't go into the rest of the trailer, since I think it speaks for itself, and I want to leave room for others to speculate. 

Marvel has me hooked for next week's release. Tears will probably be shed. Hearts will be broken. It's going to be hard to watch these two characters, both whom I love, pitted against one another. But, knowing Marvel, there's great potential and I am excited for what is to come.  

     

Lessons from My Favorite Characters, Chapter 1

As an avid reader and film-watcher, an aspiring writer, and a human person, I, like many others, find character analysis fascinating. The list of characters that I admire and love is a long one; but in a series of blog posts I hope to name a few of them. As of late, I've been reading about and re-watching the movies including some of my favorite female characters, so I thought I would start with them.

1. Molly Mahoney (Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, film)

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Mahoney was not an instant favorite. I remember that I was more confused than impressed by the movie the first time I saw it. I imagined it would be a typical funny children's movie when I saw it for the first time (I was around age 12 or 13, I think). But, a few years later when I watched it again, I was deeply touched and stirred by several of the deeper themes and messages that the movie communicated.
As time has gone on, I have found myself relating to Mahoney in many ways. I have even described her as one of the characters that I relate to the most.  She's looking for something more.  She knows that she has talent; but she's looking for a way to use it. She wants to grow, but doesn't really know how to.  She's reluctant in the face of change.  She's not afraid to reach out to people (even misfits like Eric). I love watching her character grow in the film. But allow me to elaborate further.

"When she was younger, everyone thought she was a musical genius, a brilliant pianist, and she believed them. But now, as she became a grown up, she wasn't so sure. I'm not sure why grown ups don't believe what they did when they were kids. I mean, aren't they supposed to be smarter? What Mahoney needed was an opportunity to prove to herself that she was more than what she believed." 

Like many, Mahoney experiences doubts about herself and her abilities.  She wants to do something great, but she isn't sure that she can, and if she can how she will.

"May I suggest you stun the world with Molly Mahoney's First?"
"I want to. But I am stuck." 

She wants to believe that there is more to her than meets the eye. But she's not sure if it's true.  So she goes looking for answers.

"Mutant, when you look at me, what do you see?" 
"Really pretty eyes?" 
"*laughter* No. That's not what I mean." 
"What do you mean?" 
"Do you see a sparkle?" 
"You mean like glitter? On your face?" 
"No. I mean, like...a sparkle."
"Like what kind of sparkle?"
"Like something reflective of something bigger that's trying to get out." 

How amazing. I can't tell you how many times I have wondered about this. When people look at me, what do they see? Do they see the kind of sparkle that Mahoney is talking about? Something more that's trying to get out? How do I find it? How do I let it loose?

What's amazing about this movie is the way that Mr. Magorium and others show Mahoney how she does not need to change her circumstances or change who she is in order to become who she's supposed to be.  Rather, what is necessary is that she has faith in who she is and acts out of that.

"What you need to believe in is not the store, it's not the cube, it's not me. What you need to believe in is you...Holy cow."
"What is it?"
"A sparkle." 

I think perhaps another reason I love Mahoney so much and I find myself relating to her is that the things that Mr. Magorium (and others) say to her have been words I needed to hear.
For instance:
"We breathe. We pulse. We regenerate. Our hearts beat, our minds create, our souls ingest. 37 seconds well used is a lifetime!" 

"Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." 

But I also love her zest for life and her ability to see the world for more than its outward appearances.

"You're a 'just guy.'" 
"What's a just guy?" 
"A guy just like you, same hair, same clothes, same shoes, who looks around and, whatever he sees, he thinks: 'Oh, it's just a tree...it's just a store...it's just a bench.' It's just what it is, nothing more." 
"But this...is just a toy store."
"I'm sure to you it is." 

She's not satisfied just looking at the outward appearances of things. She's fascinated by the deeper meaning; the soul of the thing, if you will.  What makes it what it is? Why do I find this attractive? I like her inquisitiveness and her sense of humor. The story is about Mahoney's journey to become who she really is. She thinks, in the beginning, that this means moving on from her job and the things that she loves (writing music, the store, etc.).  But her friends, in time, show her that this is not what she ought to do. Rather, she needs to embrace who she is and apply herself, with all of her talents and dreams, to this task that she is completely capable of doing if she believes that she can and acts on that belief. Mahoney's character has a depth to it that makes it so interesting every time I analyze her a bit more.  She's not a character that you can understand just by skimming the surface.  I think that's true about the entire film, which may be why I love it so much. If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend that you do.

2. Josephine (Jo) March (Little Women, film (1994))

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I love Jo for her spunk, imagination, humor, and pursuit of her dreams.  Her aspirations to be an author are also something I can relate to, as writing is a particular hobby that I am very fond of (though for Jo it's hardly a hobby).  Her love of her home and family also are incredibly relatable. It's no surprise that this is the movie I watch when I am missing home since it reminds me very much of my family, especially my sisters.  Of the March sisters, Jo is probably the one I relate to the most.  Her imaginative and wild spirit appeal to me in so many ways; and her stubbornness and frustration are also very relatable. Jo's story is also one of journeying, which is why I love it so much, I think.

Jo delights in writing thrilling stories, which, for most who have pursued writing fiction, is relatable. But, as her character grows, she learns that is not so much what she likes that she should write about. Her friendship with Friedrich shows her that.  Her writing should flow from who she is as a person, from her life experiences.  "There is more to you than this, if you have the courage to write it," he tells her. It's a challenge in a way. It's outside of Jo's comfort zone, and she feels as though he should be proud of her because she is succeeding as a writer of these thrilling stories. But Friedrich sees more in Jo. He knows she has the ability to write well. But he also knows her as a person, and he does not see much of who she is as a person communicated in her writing. He calls her out of her comfort zone and challenges her to be more than what she already is.

I also admire Jo's struggle to find where she belongs.

"Of course Aunt March prefers Amy over me. Why shouldn't she? I'm ugly, and awkward, and I always say the wrong things. I fly around throwing away perfectly good marriage proposals. I love our home but I'm so dreadful that I can't stand being here! ...I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Marmee. Something's really wrong with me. I want to change, but I can't. And I just know I'll never fit in anywhere." 

How easy it is for us to find ourselves feeling the same way. Especially when, throughout life, we have been independent, strong-willed, creative, or just natural loners.  But I love how Marmee responds to Jo in this moment of internal (and external) struggle and discouragement:

"Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts! How can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You're ready to go out and find a good use for your talent...Go, and embrace your liberty, and see what wonderful things come of it." 

Our individuality should never be something that we are ashamed of, that we try to suppress and get over.  Jo knows this. But at the same time, she can't help being discouraged by a world around her that seems to shut down her spirit and urge her into a kind of life that she does not want.

I could go on talking about Jo and this movie for a long time (in the near future, I plan on giving some analysis of her romance story); but for brevity sake, and in order to introduce two more of my favorites, I will leave it there for now.

3. Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables, Sullivan Entertainment)

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Anne Shirley. Bright, romantic, imaginative, dreamy, ...hot tempered, and stubborn. Anne is one of my favorites for how real she is.  She does not try to hide her faults.  Rather, she becomes aware of them and tries to overcome them: "I never make the same mistake twice." 

When Anne first comes to her new home in Avonlea, she sticks out like a sore thumb. Not only is she odd because she's an orphan, but her wild imagination and dramatic language take many of the simple folk of Avonlea by surprise, and people are quick to dismiss what they don't understand.  Hence, Anne's reflective thoughts and dreamy reveries are usually dismissed by those around her as childish nonsense.  Anne's is the story, if you will, of the oddball who finds her way in a town of "normal" people. (I say "normal" because, personally, I'm convinced there's no such thing.) 

But, I think some of the greatest lessons I learned from Anne are related to romance.  Of course, no conversation about this would be complete without mentioning the beloved Gilbert Blythe. 

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Ah, Gilbert...handsome, charming, kind, and what a gentleman (in the truest sense of the word).  But another great quality of Gilbert's is his honesty.  He's not content to just praise Anne's writing and give words of encouragement (though he does offer these at the moments when they are needed). Rather, he challenges Anne. He knows there is more to her and that she can write greater stories than the romantic fairytales that she's given so much time and energy to.  

"Take the $50 and write a story about the people you care about, right here in Avonlea!" 

to which Anne replies sharply: "Well you certainly wouldn't be one of them!" 

Anne's romantic fantasies get the best of her in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel.  She has an idea in her mind of what romance should and does look like.  In her mind, it is a dashing, dark, melancholy man coming into her life and sweeping her off her feet with poetic words.  This idea of hers is indirectly contested when her best friend, Diana Barry, marries the simple and kind Fred Wright of Avonlea.  Diana, like Anne, had entertained fantasies of a tall, romantic young man coming into her life and romancing her.  Now, she seems to have let those fantasies go for the reality of Fred; but she tells Anne: 

"I'm really very happy! Though it does seem ridiculous for me to be marrying Fred. But he's got a good heart; he's so thoughtful." 

Anne refuses to let go of her ideals in spite of this.  So tightly does she hang on to them that she flat-out refuses Gilbert.  She seeks adventure elsewhere, away from the simplicity of Avonlea.  In her adventures, she comes into contact with a man who seems to embody her romantic ideals: Morgan Harris, a rich, young widower with a troubled past.  

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Anne is, eventually, starstruck. As is Morgan Harris.  But, in the moment where Morgan proposes to Anne, Anne finally seems to see through the haze of the romance of novels, and she sees more clearly what is the kind of love that leads to strong marriages.  She refuses. She comes close to reconsidering, but she realizes that there's something not right about marrying Morgan Harris.  I think that, at this moment, finally Marilla's words get through to Anne:

(speaking of Gilbert) "Anne, you have tricked something out of that imagination of yours that you call romance. Have you forgotten how [Gilbert] gave up the Avonlea school for you so that you could stay here with me?  He picked you up everyday in his carriage so that you could study your courses together.  Don't toss it away from some ridiculous ideal that doesn't exist." 

I don't think Anne fully realizes just yet that she loves Gilbert and that's the reason why she turns down Morgan. I think what happens is that Anne finally sees the truth about love.  It's not fireworks and sailing ships and ballrooms...it's the little sacrifices, the acts of kindness, the challenges.  And, through that, Anne begins to realize that she loves Gilbert for all his kindness, his humor, his genuineness, and for all the ways that he wants her to become a better person (and he wants to help her do that).  Honestly, this love story is one of the best in film that I have seen! I could go on and on about it. But then we wouldn't have time for number 4.  

4. Gloria Dump (Because of Winn Dixie)

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If you're seeing a theme here that I seem to like really complex characters, I think this one should dispel that a little. Gloria is not really a complicated character. We don't know a whole lot about her, but that doesn't change the fact that her simple words of wisdom have a lot of power and have had true influence on me. From something as simple as the "wait-and-see tree" to something as powerful as the "tree of wrongs," Gloria has some amazing life lessons to offer. Even her name is reflective of a deeper truth.  Gloria Dump. It's an odd name.  But think about it. Gloria! The cry of the angels announcing the coming of Jesus into the world.  Then Dump, which reminds us of a garbage heap.  But, think about that.... I think a lot of us see in ourselves some sort of garbage heap and we doubt our worth because we are so broken.  Yet Christ reaches out to us there and can pull us out of all the garbage and lies that we tell ourselves, or that the world and the devil whisper to us.  So amid the dump, there is glory: the glory of Christ. 

One of the things I like most about Gloria is her ability to listen. She's mostly blind, so she asks Opal a favor: 

"Why don't you tell me all about yourself so I can see you with my heart?" 

"I had been waiting so long to tell someone about myself, I couldn't stop! I told Gloria Dump everything...and the whole time I was talking, Gloria Dump was listening. ...I could feel her listening with all her heart. And it felt good." 

Something simple, true enough. But profound. I remember hearing that line in the movie and knowing in my heart how good it felt when someone listened to me, really listened.  I decided then that I wanted to be that kind of listener.  I haven't always been successful, of course. But I'm reminded often how important it is to listen to someone, not just with your ears, not just to respond, but to listen to understand and to listen with love.

Gloria also teaches Opal about how we should look at other people.

"But you're not a bad person."
"Doesn't mean I haven't done bad things...Oh, baby girl, you know a lot of folks have problems with liquor and beer, get to started drinking and can't get stopped." 
"Are you one of those people?"
"Yes, I am. But you know something? These days I don't drink nothing stronger than coffee." 
"Did the whiskey, and beer, and wine, did they make you do all those bad things that are ghosts now?"
"Some of them. Some of them I would have done anyway, with or without the liquor and the beer. ...Till I learned."
"Learned what?"
"Till I learned what was the most important thing."
"What was that?"
"It's different for everyone. Gotta learn it on your own. But you know, we should judge Otis by the pretty music that he makes, and how kind he is to all them animals, because that's all we know about him now. Right?"
"Yes, ma'am." 

This reminds me of a philosophy that St. Therese of Lisieux had. She believed that we should spend more time looking at people's virtues rather than their faults; after all, their virtues are far more beautiful! This doesn't mean feigning ignorance, of course, or denying that people have ever done things that they shouldn't.  Rather, it is a matter of seeing with the eyes of God: when God sees even the greatest sinner, He sees His beloved child, whom He has such grand dreams for.  But He also sees the ways that they have broken His heart. He cannot pretend that those are not there.  That is against His nature.  But He is always ready to forgive, as we should be, too.  And it is a far greater thing to love the sinner than to condemn him, and to look for what is good in them rather than to criticize them for what they've done wrong.  "Because that's all we know about them, right?" For me, this has been a concrete example, also, of what the "judge not" verse in the Bible that people quote all the time actually means.  We are not to judge persons; but we may judge actions.  Why? Because we can know that actions are wrong.  But persons are more complex than that: they may not know the action is wrong, or they may not realize just how wrong it is. There are so many factors that we cannot know from the outside. But God sees the heart.  He's omniscient.  As such, He alone is the just judge because He is the perfection of justice and mercy. But, in order to live righteously, we need to make judgments of actions: is this action right and, therefore, going to help me to get to heaven? Or is it wrong and going to lead me away from God?

As a result, I have learned to do my best to see the best in others, and to give them the benefit of the doubt until I am proven wrong.  That doesn't mean that, if I'm proven wrong, I consider them unworthy of love or mercy. Rather, it helps me to make good judgments about how to love them and how to continue to be a disciple of Jesus when I'm around them, never in a way that makes them feel bad (that is, not a "holier-than-thou" attitude), but hopefully in a way that makes them want to be His disciples, too.

Another great lesson from Gloria comes nearer to the end of the movie.

"You cannot hold on to anything that wants to go, do you understand what I'm saying? You've just gotta love it while you've got it, and that's that." 

This has meant different things for me at different points in my life.  But lately, it's meant not trying to hold on to something that is flowing away according to God's design.  That doesn't mean being passive about it, but having a realistic view of the situation.  There are things that come into our lives only for a short time and then they go out of it, whether it's people, places, or things.  Our job is to pay attention to the grace of God in those moments and how He is using those things in our lives in the present moment. Those things that help us to grow in holiness we should hold on to. But those things that, if we try to hold them so tightly, pull our attention away from Him, it's time to let those things go.

I hope you find my reflections at least amusing if not informative. I have enjoyed writing this post, and will probably be writing more like it in the future.  But I hope that these characters now inspire you, even just a little bit, to become more the person that God made you to be and to let His light shine through you into the world.  God bless!

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to destroy you, plans to give you a future and a hope" -Jeremiah 29:11

Captain America: The Righteous Man

Avengers: Age of Ultron is finally in the theaters! Watching it on opening weekend was definitely exciting (if a little pricey), and it was a most enjoyable movie! If you haven't seen it yet, I highly encourage you to do so.

Of course, as the newest Avengers movie comes out, those "favorite Avenger" conversations are bound to arise.  Where do I stand? Well....

There's not much question here. I knew absolutely nothing about Captain America before I saw the first movie. The only time I had ever heard of him was the minor reference to him in "The Pursuit of Happiness."  But, when I finally saw the movie, I found myself pleasantly surprised by a superhero who wasn't stuck up, didn't think too much of himself, upheld doing the right thing, stuck by his friends in the tough times, and didn't back down from a fight even when he didn't have much chance of winning.  

Now, I know what you're thinking. I've heard it before. "He's too perfect." "He's not relatable." "He has no character growth because he already starts off good." I've even heard: "He's arrogant." (Now that one I take issue with. But we'll get to that.) 

I agree, there isn't a lot of character development, especially when you compare him to Ironman.  Ironman grows a lot in his three movies.  But I think people are too quick to dismiss Captain America from the "interesting characters" list just because they think he has no room for growth. From real life, we all know that even the people who look like they have it all together have areas to work on. I have to say that I think Marvel was hinting at this with Captain America in the new Avengers movie. 

*****SPOILERS****

When Captain America and Ironman are splitting logs, Ironman says he doesn't trust someone who doesn't have a dark side. Cap doesn't really make much of a response. What he was haunted with was his memories of Peggy, and the life he could have had with her. Granted, by the end he seems kind of determined not to let it bother him. But I think there might be more to it. I can't say I know what just yet, but I wouldn't dismiss Cap as having no struggles.   

********END OF SPOILERS*******

I also think that people are too quick to judge that Captain America has had an easy life. Let's remember what his life was like before Dr. Erskine discovered him. He was a puny kid from Brooklyn. He still stood up for what was right, but he took the hits that came with it. Before that, he lost his father and his mother. According to Marvel's Wikia, his father died when Steve was a kid, and his mother died when Steve was in his late teens, probably before he was eighteen.  (http://marvel.wikia.com/Captain_America_%28Steven_Rogers%29) Hardly sounds like a kid who's had life handed to him on a silver platter to me. But he was committed to doing the right thing and not letting tough times (or "tough people"/bullies) get him down. Like he said to Peggy: "You start running, they'll never let you stop." Even when it didn't make sense for him to put up a fight because he was sure to lose (like Bucky said: "You know, sometimes I think you like getting punched,") he didn't give up.  

One of my favorite parts of the first movie is when Erskine comes and talks to Steve before the procedure.  

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Just one?" 

"Why me?" 

"I suppose that is the only question that matters. ...The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so good becomes great; bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen: because a strong man, who has known power all his life, can lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows compassion."

"Thanks...I think." 

"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing: that you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man." 

Steve raises his glass and says: "To the little guys." 

Steve was chosen for something more than physical characteristics or intelligence. He was chosen because he is a good man. I think the best way to understand the goodness of Captain America and his transformation into the super-soldier is this article: The Catholicity of Captain America.  

Erskine doesn't think Steve is perfect, and doesn't expect him to be. He wants him to just keep being himself: a good person.  There is nothing about Steve Rogers that would make anyone think that he could be a hero; they wouldn't even accept him as a regular soldier. At least, nothing on the outside. Nothing physical: no muscle, no outstanding intelligence, no knack for machines.... What makes him stand out from the rest is something much deeper than that: his virtue and sense of duty.  

Another area where I see a struggle of Captain America's is in the first movie. 

******SPOILERS*******

Captain America has just lost his best friend Bucky in a tragic accident on a train. He seems to have disappeared, and Peggy goes looking for him. She finds him in the shambles of a bar where Cap and Bucky and their friends would go to talk and have fun. 

Steve sits at a table, bottle nearby and glass in hand.  

"Dr. Erskine said that the serum wouldn't just effect my muscles, it would effect my cells. Create a protective system of regeneration and healing. Which means, um, I can't get drunk. Did you know that?" 

...

Peggy says, "It wasn't your fault." 

"Did you see the reports?"
"Yes."
"Then you know that's not true." 

Cap blames himself for Bucky's death, even though it wasn't his fault.  There really was nothing he could do. And Peggy tells him that Bucky's death was the death of a hero who thought his friend was worth dying for, and hardly something for Cap to take credit for (whether he means to, or not).  I think that's something a lot of us can relate to. When bad things happen, we're tempted to blame ourselves, even if there was nothing we could have done to stop it.  

*****END OF SPOILERS*******

As far as being un-relatable, I will agree that Ironman is slightly more relatable for most of us. At some point in our life, we've made a poor choice or many poor choices. Seeing Ironman rise from that, though, and become a better man is a journey that we all appreciate because it's one that all of us are on. It is also great to see Ironman, and the other Avengers, learn to use their abilities, talents, and skills for something greater than themselves, power, money, or whatever else they might be tempted to use them for. They make a choice to use their abilities to protect people.  

Nonetheless, I wouldn't dismiss Captain America as completely un-relatable. 

***********SPOILERS***********

In the new movie, for example. Ironman lets out a not-so-gentile word, to which Cap replies: "Language!" And he gets teased about it for the rest of the movie. Well, for some of us, that's definitely relatable. Some of us have definitely been the person to call out the person or group of persons on their language, and we can be ridiculed for it. It's not really a fun experience, though, as in Cap's case, it can be amusing. But the whole "we can't talk like this because of so-and-so" can be a little bit frustrating for the person doing the calling out. It's usually not about "don't talk that way in front of me" (though it can be); but it's about "you shouldn't really talk that way period." Of course, all of us let slip a word every now and then that we're not so proud of. I'm not condoning that; but it is the human condition. So don't rant on me about judging people by their language because I've heard it before. It's not that the language offends my ears so much as it offends your mouth and it offends the One Who made that mouth to speak words of truth and blessing.  

**********END OF SPOILERS***********

I also find Cap relatable in his desire to do what's right. I think part of what makes Cap such a valuable asset to the Avengers is not just his knowledge of war tactics and ability to take the lead and strategize while in the line of fire; but also his integrity. Cap is a soldier out of the 1940s. While not all the practices of World War II may be heralded as the most morally sound, it was a just war. The soldiers in that war were fighting for peace and justice; they fought against oppression and injustice towards weaker states, and the evils of the Nazi regime.  I believe that in the '40s there was a higher moral code among people than what we have today.  Moral relativism wasn't as rampant then as it is now, and so people had a clearer idea that there was right and there was wrong.  Cap is out of that era, and he holds himself to a higher moral standard than the average person these days. That's what makes him a valuable asset to the Avengers.  He holds everyone to a higher standard than "getting by." I love Tony Stark's snarky comments, and his response to Captain America in "The Avengers," about "cutting the wire" is clever. It's what we would all like to do, and, morally speaking, what is a good thing to do if you can. However, when you don't know if you can do that without the other person dying, there are people who hold themselves to that higher standard and who will, like Cap says, "lay their life down on the wire and let the other guy crawl over them."  Sacrificing your life for someone else, when there's no other way for you both to get out alive, is heroism. 

I'm not putting Stark down by that, either. He does sacrifice himself in "The Avengers," thus proving Cap and anyone else wrong about him. He has a heart, and a conscience. He can make the sacrificial act. Finding the way around it is great when you can; after all, one of the natural goods we strive after as human beings is self-preservation.  But there are times when you can't "cut the wire."  Cap holds the Avengers to a higher standard than "cutting the wire," or "doing just enough."  It's about doing what's right, as it ought to be. That's what heroes do. They make mistakes; but, it's what they do after those mistakes that matters.  As Fulton Sheen said, "There are two kinds of people: a person who falls down and stays down; and a person who falls but who gets back up again."  The Avengers are heroes because they get back up again.  They aren't heroes because they never fall; they're heroes because they don't let that fall be the end. 

I really enjoyed how the Avengers sort-of nickname for Cap is "old man."  Even though he doesn't look like it, he is older than all of them. He's seen a totally different century, a different kind of war, a different kind of America than the rest of the Avengers.  He's got a mentality like Samwise Gamgee: "There's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."  Even when things look bleak, he's determined to keep doing what he knows he should do; not what is easy, not what reaps the most benefit for everybody, but what is right.  It's people like that who make us all want to be better.  I think part of the reason why some people don't like Captain America is that he's the kind of person who holds you to that higher standard.  A lot of us are in the "getting by" mentality instead of the "excellence" mentality, and we get intimidated or defensive when people call us on to be more than what we are.  But we need those people. We're not perfect, and we know it. But we can't work on our imperfections and become better if no one points them out to us, or if no one shows us how to be more than "the sum of our weaknesses," as St. John Paul II called it.  

A dear friend, and fellow Avengers analyst said this to me when she heard about the blog post I was writing: "[Cap]'s almost like playing Jesus -- he's "good." He's almost like good incarnate. That makes him the hardest of the Avengers to play, and Chris Evans does a beautiful job!"  

Another great thing about Captain America, though, is that I don't see him looking down on others because they don't hold them to that higher standard.  "Avengers" is the movie where he's learning to balance holding himself to that higher standard and expecting others to do the same with acknowledging and understanding the struggles and imperfections of his teammates.  In the end, they work through those differences.  They learn to work with each other's strengths and help each other in their weaknesses.  A great example of this is in "The Winter Soldier."  

************SPOILERS*************** 

Cap and Black Widow have just come to Falcon's house to hide out because they're on the run from S.H.I.E.L.D./Hydra.  (And, can I say, I love Cap's response to Project Insight: "This isn't freedom. This is fear."  In our fallen state, the two exist together. But when we let fear take control of us, we lose our freedom.) 

Nat is sitting down, looking thoughtful.  Cap comes in and asks her if she's okay. She casually replies that she is; but Cap is persistent and gets her to tell him what's on her mind. 

"When I first joined SHIELD, I thought it was going straight. But I guess I just traded in the KGB for HYDRA. I thought I knew whose lies I was telling, but... I guess I can't tell the difference anymore."

"There's a chance you might be in the wrong business."

"I owe you."

"It's okay."

"If it was the other way around, and it was down to me to save your life, and you be honest with me, would you trust me to do it?"

"I would now. And I'm always honest."

"Well, you seem pretty chipper for someone who just found out they died for nothing.?

"Well, I guess I just like to know who I'm fighting."

Cap is learning to trust his teammates. It's not always easy. He knows their imperfections, for example: Natasha's not afraid to trick people and tell lies if she has to. That makes her good at her job, but what's the guarantee that she's not lying to her friends, too? Nick Fury is the man in charge. He calls the shots, and he's good at it. But he's also afraid. He doesn't trust people, and that makes is hard for Cap to trust him. But because of what they've been through, Cap learns to trust Nat and Fury. 

"All you can do's try to know who your friends are as you head off to the war." -The Call by Regina Spektor.

************END OF SPOILERS**********

I don't think that Captain America is flawless, as I made clear before. But I think that he is a very good image of the righteous man. The righteous man is a man of the Beatitudes, a man of virtue, a man who wants to do what is right no matter what. Captain America is that kind of man. This makes it, sometimes, a bit awkward for him because the rest of his team is often in a different mindset. But, for those striving for righteousness in their lives, Captain America can be someone they really relate to. You stand for what's right, and sometimes people beat you down for it. They might actually admire your convictions, but it doesn't show very much. Still, affirmation or no affirmation, you know what you have to do and you don't let what's popular get in the way of that.  

You might retort and say: "Well Cap goes against his principles and says a bad word or two later in the movie."  Yes, and we all have had those moments where we failed, right? Where we abandoned principles to fit in? And sometimes a word slips. Cap is also a World War II soldier, and I'm sure that it wasn't the only time that a cuss word has crossed his lips. But, compared to some, he keeps it pretty clean.  I'm not saying Cap is perfect. I'm saying he's exactly what Erskine called him: "A good man." 

The righteous man is a figure in many books of Scripture, especially Proverbs. But I think these two Bible verses summarize best what I love about Captain America. 

Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker? -Job 4:17

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. -1 Timothy 6:11 

"Those who lead many to righteousness." Sounds like Cap to me. He's determined to do the right thing, and, as the main leader of the Avengers, he leads them all to do the same (so far as he is able).  Cap doesn't lord his strength over anyone. Like Erskine said, he knows compassion. He knows the value of the strength that he has because he's been on the other end of a strong man's punches.  He uses his power for good.  He doesn't pretend to be more than what he is, and he's not one to look for attention.  

Cap's famous line from "The Avengers" is: "There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't dress like that." I think that the verse from Job sounds a lot like something that Captain America would relate to. He doesn't consider himself to be perfect. He's strong, but he's humble about it. He doesn't flaunt his strength or use it imprudently. He uses his gifts for good, to help people. 

The verse from 1 Timothy is also really great, and it's an encouragement to all of us who feel like the Captain America in our circle: the one who stands for what's right, and isn't always esteemed for it (and sometimes is flat out ridiculed for it).  Flee from sin and temptation, and continue to pursue righteousness, virtue, godliness, endurance, and gentleness. Those are qualities that I see in Captain America. He has a determination to do what's right, and to keep doing it. He is a righteous man. He is a godly man (in the original comics, he's an Irish Catholic!). He has endurance. Even when everything gets difficult, he doesn't quit. But he's also gentle. He's a gentleman, first of all; and there's a genuine look of calm and kindness about him in some of the scenes where the action has died down, like when he's trying to help Black Widow sort through what's bothering her in "The Winter Soldier."  He values life, and anything that even threatens it he regards with a lot of caution. 

"Every time someone tries to win a war before it starts, innocent people die. Every time."

I think, in some ways, Captain America intimidates people.  They see his commitment to do what's right, and they know that this is what we all are supposed to do. It is often the case that when someone challenges us to be more than what we are, our first instinct is to defend our position, and sometimes to lash out at the challenger.  

But, when did righteousness become "arrogant?" When did virtue become "old fashioned?" When people became afraid of the implications of living righteously and virtuously. You're not always going to be popular. In fact, there will be a lot of times where people really don't like you. They see you as a threat to their position, their way of life, and they don't want to change the way they live, so they find fault with you.  I think perhaps some of the attacks on Captain America stem from that.  Chris Evans, the actor who plays Captain America, even says that Captain America is the everything that he wishes he could be. When we see where we fail, there are two things we can do with it: let it destroy us (and as a result we lash out and tear down others), or let it drive us. 

Captain America is my favorite superhero, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.  He really is the best of them. He's righteous, true, and good. He's committed to protecting people, and to doing what's right. This isn't arrogant; it's conviction. He knows what he has to do, and he'll make whatever personal sacrifices he has to in order to do it.  He is the righteous man; the good man; and we could use a lot more of those in the world we live in. 

"I know I'm asking a lot. But the price of freedom is high. It always has been. And it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not." -Captain America, The Winter Soldier 

Fight on, soldier! Fight on!

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. -Daniel 12:3

Star Wars VII and the Return of the Cynics

Before we get into the subject of the blog post, let me make a disclaimer: I don't hate cynics. It's good to have these kinds of people in our lives to help us take a reality check sometimes, or be realistic, or see the other side of a situation, or the more negative aspects of a topic...the list goes on. In fact, some of the movie characters I enjoy the most are cynics.

Case in point. Who doesn't love Anton Ego? 

Cue the music! STAR WARS!!! 

Yes, that's right! The official trailer for Star Wars VII is here!!! Watch it now! 

So let's go through a scene-by-scene analysis: 

(1) Lucasfilm Ltd. slowly fades in on a black screen. The excitement starts to build. How many times have you seen that logo before watching a great movie about a galaxy far, far away? 

(2) The music fades in. And the excitement/nostalgia increases. Not to mention, you get an awesome long shot of the Tattooine landscape, a familiar sight from "A New Hope." Looking good. Looking good. 

(3) Someone's zooming by on a speeder. What's that in the background? Oh, sweet! It's a Star Destroyer that crashed in the sand. That's cool! Fade to black. 

(4) Voiceover: "The Force is strong in my family." Close shot of the Darth Vader mask, pretty banged up and kind of deformed, but still distinguishable. Creepy but cool. "My Father has it." So it's Luke talking, which you may have already guessed, since this quote is in "Return of the Jedi." 

(5) Fade to black. Cut to scene of R2-D2, and a person in a black cape kneeling beside him. "I have it." The person reaches out and touches R2 with a mechanical hand. (A little odd, considering that Luke's prosthetic hand in Star Wars V actually looked very realistic.) 

(6) "My sister has it." Scene of a lightsaber being handed to someone. It looks like a girl's hands. All right. Is it Leia? Fade to black. 

(7) "You have that power, too." And the music builds to the dramatic theme that we all love while the magical words appear on the screen: "This Christmas...." Cue excitement and drumroll on the desk that I was sitting at when I watched the trailer for the first time. 

(8) Cue lots of action scenes giving subtle hints at the plot and content of the movie, culminating in the MILLENNIUM FALCON (AHHHH!) being chased by a TIE Fighter. Fade to black. 

(9) Voiceover: "Chewie..." Fade in (much older) HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA, and Han says, "We're home," while grinning in that way that only Han Solo can. And add to that cheers and gleeful exclamations by me: "Oh my gosh!! YES!!!!" 

So there you have it. My reaction to the trailer for Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens. 

Now I consider myself an avid fan of Star Wars. I didn't see IV, V, and VI very early in my childhood, but once I did see them I was hooked. Han Solo was my favorite (obviously), closely followed by Luke and R2-D2. I loved the movies, collected the action figures, read whatever I could manage at that age (but, let's face it, chapter books that are 300 pages or so when you're not even in middle school yet can be a struggle), and even started writing a story of my own that took place in a galaxy far far away. 

I watched I, II, and III eventually, and I liked them, though not as much as IV, V, and VI. Over time, though, I did get more critical of I, II, and III and started thinking about why they just weren't as good. 

The Phantom Menace had some good points. Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi for instance. Qui-Gonn Jinn was also pretty cool, and I liked little-kid Anakin. Jar-Jar Binx was funny, but...well, he wasn't smart. Pod racing is cool, but...the Millennium Falcon is cooler. And the bad guys just weren't as interesting. The fight with Darth Maul was pretty awesome. But, all other things considered, it just wasn't all that good.

Attack of the Clones wasn't much better. Again, Ewan McGregor did a great job of keeping things interesting. Obi-Wan's investigation and encounters with Jango Fett were pretty cool, and he's got some great one-liners. Anakin and Padme's so-called romance, though, really killed it. Ugh...just...no. I'm sorry, George Lucas, but romantic films are definitely not your forte. Things got better with the Jedi Battle. Mace Windu was pretty awesome in that whole scene. But, apart from that...not a whole lot to be said.

Revenge of the Sith: The beginning made you think: "Oh hey, this is pretty cool! Maybe this one will actually be pretty good." But...once we're back on Couruscant, ...no. More poorly written romance dialogue between Anakin and Padme. (Ughhh...make it stop!) (I will say that Anakin's reaction to being a dad is pretty great. But after that... :P) For the third time, Ewan McGregor saves the movie from complete disaster. He and General Grievous were pretty cool (and Boga! Love Boga.).

But yeah...overall, kind of a bummer. 

So, of course, cynics being what they are, when people who claim to be true fans of the movies see other people who are also true fans of the movies getting excited about Star Wars VII, the inevitable Facebook status appears: 

"I don't see what everyone's so excited about. Everyone was excited about The Phantom Menace, and look how bad that movie was." 

Okay, killjoy. Thanks for your perspective. And, I might add, there's one thing that The Force Awakens has that The Phantom Menace didn't and it is definitely worth consideration. What on earth could that be? What indeed....

Han Solo of course! The Phantom Menace did not have Han Solo, or Chewbacca, or the Millennium Falcon, or really anything that was essential to the awesomeness of IV, V, and VI. So there. 

More seriously, though...

Lots of people are saying that Star Wars VII will not be as good as IV, V, and VI. Okay. I'll agree with that. But, here's the shocker. That is OKAY! IV, V, and VI are awesome because they are the originals and they introduced us to the world of Star Wars.  You don't get better than the original.  Every once in a while you'll get a killer sequel; but something always remains special about that first movie, usually because it was where we first got to know our favorite characters, worlds, dialogues, etc.  Whatever it is that you love about IV, V, and VI, you love them because they are what they are.  Obviously, VII is not going to be IV, V, and VI, so it's not going to be as wonderful as IV, V, and VI because VII is not IV, V, and VI.  You want to know the secret to enjoying the movie? Let Star Wars VII be Star Wars VII.  One of the great ways to enjoy movies is to let them speak for themselves. 

Obviously, I don't go into movies with absolutely no expectations. That wouldn't make sense because in order to be Star Wars it has to carry on the legacy of Star Wars using many of the techniques, worlds, characters, etc. from the originals.  It would be like forgetting who I was on purpose so I could focus on the goodness of this week; but that wouldn't be good because I'd forget a week that had informed my life and personhood. And...you can't just wipe things from your memory. Not sure if that makes any sense; but I was trying to be philosophical.  

At the same time, though, I go in with the attitude of giving the movie a chance.  I believe that there's got to be something good about this one, and I decide to look out for it. Star Wars movies are meant to be enjoyed. So, I'm going to walk into that theater a day or two after Christmas with an optimistic but informed mindset.  

I'd also like to take a moment to talk about how I, II, and III weren't (and in some ways couldn't be) better than IV, V, and VI.  

Remember that the storyline of the prequels is a descending one, not ascending. It is the story about how Anakin was good, and then turned evil.  It's not going to be a happy story.  It's going to be about a lot of his mistakes and poor choices.  The originals, on the other hand, are about rising out of the ashes and restoring freedom from the emperor's tyranny.  That's a brighter and more enjoyable story (unless you like sad stories).  

Anakin and Padme's romance, if we may call it that, was just...not good. As I think about it, there really is nothing selfless about it. The most beautiful relationships are the ones where one makes sacrifices for the other.  I can't think of a time at all where Anakin sacrificed something for Padme, or where she did the same for him.  Anakin defends her, yeah. But a bodyguard can do that, too. It doesn't make it romance. And, they kind of dragged each other into dangerous situations in Attack of the Clones. Padme was too stubborn not to do anything, and Anakin didn't care about stopping her, even though he knew it was going to be dangerous. The indifference there was annoying.  So...the relationship seemed based solely on emotions and not actions. (Han and Leia on the other hand: end of VI. Look at what Han says to Leia. "You love him, don't you? ...That's all right. I understand. When he comes back, I won't get in the way." Aww! He's willing to let her go, even though he loves her, because he thinks that she's in love with Luke.) 

Corruption: we like it when the protagonist overcomes corruption and rises above it. Well, given the storyline, Anakin doesn't do that. He falls to the emperor's lies and deception. 

The originals are just a lot more fun to watch than I, II, and III.  In the prequels, you're watching characters make mistakes and suffer, and go lower and lower (in Anakin's case), and their actions hurting those around them. The originals are about friendship, working through differences, working together, struggling and fighting together, and all for the common goal of making the galaxy a better place to live.  

I think Star Wars VII has that positive storyline going for it. It's coming after the good stuff, so maybe it will be about more good stuff. Of course, it can't all be good or else there'd be no conflict and that would be a boring story.  It's also called "The Force Awakens," and the teasers have hinted that the Dark Side is returning. That should be interesting to see! But the overall theme of the trailer isn't a dark one, so I think that there is, forgive my pun, hope (a new hope, if you will) for VII.  It already seems to have some of the great elements of Star Wars as a whole going for it. Also, in the history of the movies, when it's not George Lucas directing the movies they tend to be better.  And George Lucas isn't directing VII, so I think the story stands a good chance of being good. I'm curious to see the plot revealed and unfolding.  One thing's for sure: come Christmastime, I will be making a trip to the theater.  

Now, cynics will be cynics, and without them we probably wouldn't take a more critical view of things, which we need to do sometimes.  But I would say this: don't judge or criticize people for being excited about the return of Star Wars to the big screen. If you really love Star Wars, you should be excited about this too, and give the movie a chance to carry on the Star Wars legacy.  It's great just to see the galaxy far far away returning to the big screen. After the movie comes out, make your judgments then, and I will listen to you. But don't crush people's hopes before the movie even has a chance to run. Let us revel the moment: Star Wars is back and we are excited!!!! 

Until next time, "May the Force be with you."