Keep Moving Forward


Mythology in the movie theater

One of my favorite recent films is Meet the Robinsons. Great Disney flick, and probably the film that convinced me that there is still some of Walt's magic left in the world.

I believe that Americans have moved their grand story telling traditions to the theater, mostly the movie theater. We just don't get together and share stories anymore. We expect those stories to be spoonfed to us on huge screens with refreshments.

I do believe in the power of personal story telling. But I have to admit, when filmmakers get it exactly right, it's really powerful.

I should mention I was a film major in college.

I could feed a lot of bull here about the story mind and the elements of good tale spinning, but instead I'll point out that MTR is very nearly a perfect Jungian tale.

The villain of the film is Doris the Helping Hat, who just happens to be the invention of the hero. Or at least the hero when he grows up.

The supporting villain is wronged by the hero and wraps himself in his own pain and shadows.

The hero only turns things around when he accepts responsibility and literally confronts his own Dweller in Darkness with an absolutely perfect tactic.

Even with all this, the film doesn't stop. Look at the older hero's working space. He surrounds himself with his successes. He doesn't hide from his mistakes, but they are carefully organized for future reference. And then he doesn't pay them any further attention until absolutely necessary.

He accepts his past, he knows where he is, and he chooses his own path.

Keep moving forward. Pretty powerful stuff.

Posted: Mon - June 30, 2008 at 05:24 AM
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