It’s a very common talking point about this film that if Indiana Jones wasn’t involved, everything would have turned out the same. (The villains would have still found the ark, and still been destroyed by the wrath of God whether Indy was there or not). So I find it very interesting that you claim Indiana Jones in this movie is “the most active character in movie history”, but also that he isn’t even the hero of his own story! That shows us something about how we are meant to live (especially as men) with God being the hero of our lives, and yet that does NOT mean we are passive men. Sometimes we find ourselves trusting ourselves (like Indy at the start of the film), until we have to admit we have no plan (“I dunno, I making this up as I go” - Indiana Jones), until eventually we have to bow before God (shut our eyes and not look) and trust that He will take care of things. Though all audiences might not pick up on that, it’s a detail you can share with your family and it allows them to experience a story that plays out that aspect of the Gospel for them in a fun and intriguing way! Don’t apologize for over analyzing! A solid movie can stand on its own and be analyzed to the nth degree to reveal hidden themes, subtext, and character motivations. I think it’s a great gift to introduce your family to a movie that is so good they can be chewing on it still days later and realize subtle things that also reflect the Gospel. Thank you for both of your input!
It’s a very common talking point about this film that if Indiana Jones wasn’t involved, everything would have turned out the same. (The villains would have still found the ark, and still been destroyed by the wrath of God whether Indy was there or not). So I find it very interesting that you claim Indiana Jones in this movie is “the most active character in movie history”, but also that he isn’t even the hero of his own story! That shows us something about how we are meant to live (especially as men) with God being the hero of our lives, and yet that does NOT mean we are passive men. Sometimes we find ourselves trusting ourselves (like Indy at the start of the film), until we have to admit we have no plan (“I dunno, I making this up as I go” - Indiana Jones), until eventually we have to bow before God (shut our eyes and not look) and trust that He will take care of things.
Though all audiences might not pick up on that, it’s a detail you can share with your family and it allows them to experience a story that plays out that aspect of the Gospel for them in a fun and intriguing way!
Don’t apologize for over analyzing! A solid movie can stand on its own and be analyzed to the nth degree to reveal hidden themes, subtext, and character motivations.
I think it’s a great gift to introduce your family to a movie that is so good they can be chewing on it still days later and realize subtle things that also reflect the Gospel. Thank you for both of your input!
Great stuff Figwit! Thanks for chiming in! Love your point about our being active but, at the same time, not being the Savior! Excellent!