District 9: This Summer's Yet-To-Be Blockbuster

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Up, and Land of the Lost

What do these movies have in common?

They were/are all slated to battle it out as the Blockbusters of Summer 2009. Now you can add an unexpected contender to that list: District 9.

Watch the preview below before reading further!



Based on the trailers I've seen and the buzz this film is generating (plus, having Peter Jackson - Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong director - attached as a producer doesn't hurt), this looks to be the next Cloverfield or The Blair Witch Project (low budget films that deliver BIG in the box office). This trailer was the teaser trailer released 2 months ago. The newest trailer reveals more alien-human battles, but this teaser trailer, I believe, clues potential audience members into the worldview that will dominate the film.

Yes, it is an alien flick (with a very unique premise), but what message is the director, producers, and screenwriters trying to communicate using a human-alien struggle?

- Political? (Immigration? Human Rights? War? Terrorism/Imprisonment of Terror Suspects?)
- Social (Tolerance? Racism? Judgment/Fear of the Unknown? Acceptance?)
- Religious (Tolerance?)

I'm very intrigued by this film - mostly because of its highly unique premise and originality (it is a big time story without all the franchise hype). However, because of its potential to be this summer's biggest film (or at least second to the mammoth-of-a-film Transformers 2) it is important to remember that ALL films come custom-packed with a "moral of the story" meant to educate audiences. This is not always a bad thing, but as Christians we are to check all messages/morals against the scope of Scripture.

Is what is being offered as a message, Biblical? God-honoring? God-loving?

PARENTS: Blockbusters are always a ton of fun to watch with our kids/teens, but it is imperative you remember your calling as the primary educators and worship leaders in the lives of your children. Even poor (ungodly) messages in movies can be teaching tools. I remember my Uncle Mark G. one time using the "it doesn't matter what train you take [to get to the North Pole] so long as you get on a train" line from The Polar Express to reaffirm Biblical teaching with his kids. The film might have been talking about Santa's home, but it alluded to heaven/religion. Seeing this he simply asked them as the film was still playing: "is that true? Does it not really matter what train you get on?" - they all replied: "NO (it's not true)! Only Christ is the way to heaven," as they finished the movie. Movies/story telling are a GREAT way to teach discernment; hence the reason Jesus Christ used parables. With movies as one of the primary means of social education, statements about society/the world/culture it is important we realize this and not fall into the trap of "movies are just mindless entertainment." They weren't made mindlessly, we shouldn't watch them that way either.

**This is not to say we should watch all movies or read all stories... some, no matter how good the message is, are not profitable to us as people, let alone believers. Obviously, if there is any question as to the trustworthiness of a film or its content, it's better safe than sorry: skip it and watch something else.

NOTE: District 9 is rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language. It releases August 14th.

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Reimagining Consistency

Like Kelly McGillis from the 80's movie Top Gun, we apparently "can't fight that lovin' feeling" either. We are creatures of habit and Hollywood is banking on that with the slate of movies they have lined up over the next couple of years. The key words in Hollywood right now: remake, sequel, and reimagining.

The following movies are but a few reincarnations of classic films, toys or TV Shows from generations past that have recently or will soon make their way into movie theaters:

GI JOE
Star Trek
Fame (reimagined)
The A-Team
Transformers
Alvin and the Chipmunks (The Squeekwel)
Robin Hood (with Russell Crowe)
Scream (possibly another Trilogy)
Terminator
Three Stooges
Land of the Lost
Indiana Jones (4 and now a rumored #5)
Red Dawn
Mission Impossible (a fourth movie)
Comic Book Movies (Green Lantern, Captain America, Iron Man 2, Thor, Spider-Man 4)
Clash of the Titans (reimagined)
Bride of Frankenstein
Ghostbusters (old GB's will train a new class)
The Karate Kid (with Will Smith's son as the Kid)
Friday the 13th (reimagined)
Halloween (reimagined)
Wall Street (sequel)
Predator (reimagined)
Conan the Barbarian (reimagined)
He-Man (if it can make it past pre-production) (reimagined)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (reimagined)
The Hobbit (Prequel to Lord of the Rings)
Heathcliffe

New stories, new characters, younger/newer/"hipper" new actors, new effects, CGI, better stories... pick your "new" spin; however, it's not the "new" that studios bank on, but the old - the familiar. There is comfort for fans in stepping into familiar characters and story arcs. It's not that people fear change (though that could be the case for some), it is that we are people who want something consistent. That's why when Star Wars released its prequel trilogy and the famous John Williams' theme song started fans lept to their feet in uproarious applause or why they got goosebumps and smiled ear-to-ear when the silhouette of Indiana Jones donned his famous Fedora.

People cling to consistency because it is how we were created. God created us in His image... as a reflection of His divine attributes and character. No matter how life changes or adjusts, hurts or hinders, crumbles or collapses there is great comfort in the God who (1) never changes, (2) never abandons, (3) never sells us out for newer or better, and (4) always loves.

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