What will THE AVENGERS teach us?
There are so many places an Avengers movie could go, and so many “lessons” for each character to learn, it will be fascinating to see the narrative arc director Joss Whedon and his crew will focus on for the upcoming movie. Not only do we have the return of Loki and all the messages of fathers and sons, jealousy and pride inherent in the Thor film, we’re bringing together characters who, as Robert Downey Junior’s Tony Stark puts it delicately, “don’t play well with others”. That is, with the exception of Captain America’s Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), who is accustomed to a team from World War II. Perhaps that’s why the film’s two taglines are:
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“Some Assembly Required”
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“Every team needs a Captain”
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Iron Man (audio below)
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Incredible Hulk
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Iron Man 2
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Thor
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Captain America (review forthcoming)
I’m guessing the idea of working together as a team with different gifts will give us a story that reflects Romans 12. Even the need for a “head” on that body will bear itself out, reflecting our design as humans with a head that is Christ:
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:15-16
What other themes do you think might emerge?
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I’ve got a hunch Stark and Rogers aren’t going to completely resolve the differences in their egos and motives without a discussion of the role Stark Sr. played in making both Iron Man and Captain America who they currently are.
Thanks for your helpful blog James. I’ve seen the film (earlier release date in Malaysia) and won’t include any spoilers here! But I will say that one of the fascinating themes is that of authority. Are we meant to be ruled by anyone and do we have a deep felt desire for such authority? (One particular speech by Loki brings this out quite well) The film is awesome on many levels!