8 May, 2007
It's time for another hero!
Spider-Man 3 review
This could be the end for Spider-Man, a stricken newsreader gravely informs us at a particularly nail-biting moment in Spider-Man 3, when all seems lost for our hero.
Unlikely, considering that the latest film in the multimillion-dollar franchise was made by Sony Pictures and had its premiere in Japan the first Hollywood blockbuster to do so.
This film amounts to a daft, highly polished couple of hours of fantasy fun. There is not enough of the super-villains and they are not nearly twisted enough. But then there never is and they never are.
There are digital effects galore to remind us that Sony is a high-tech company, particularly when a new super-villain, the Sandman, is transformed into a living sandstorm and pulverises bits of Manhattan.
And for reminders that Japan, the home of manga comics, is an increasingly powerful influence on Hollywood directors there is an unmistakable homage to the anime classic Akira.
At one point Tobey Maguire, who plays Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Thomas Haden Church, James Franco and Topher Grace square off in a four-way clash clearly designed to satisfy all tastes in hairstyle, physical build and jaw-line. The imperilled Kirsten Dunst, meanwhile, barely registers.
As well as the challenge that Spider-Man faces from the Sandman he learns of a connection with the murder of his Uncle Ben a mysterious black substance has turned his Spider-Man suit black. It brings forth a darker side of Parker and Spidey that nobody has seen before when he is conveniently infested with an alien parasite. Indeed, the central theme of the film is that even superheroes can have a dark side.
photo & story courtesy entertainment.timesonline.co.uk, 5/4/07
Hebrews 11:1
By Faith
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the main quality of a Godly superhero?
Hebrews 11 has often been called the Bible's "Hall Of Fame". The names listed have one quality in common - FAITH IN GOD! These heroes were not super in their own right, but only because they trusted the supernatual God to lead them and empower them!
Basically they were ordinary people doing extraordinary acts because their faith pointed to the Almighty God! Our world today is looking for superheroes. It needs to see ordinary people letting God do something extraordinary through them.
If you read the review of Spider-Man 3 or go see it, you will notice that one of the themes is that even superheros have a dark side.
It's the same way with us. We have a dark side because of the sin in our lives. But when we humble ourselves before our loving forgiving Father, He does the extraordinary through us even though we are ordinary.
If someone did a "review" of your life, would your faith get a "two thumbs up"?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
According to Hebrews 11, it starts with faith. Within ourselves, we don't have what it takes. We must ask God to give us the faith we need to be able to believe Him for Who He is and what He wants to do in our lives and through our lives. You don't have to be a superhero. Just let God do His thing in you. And you can apply God's Story by:
- Reading Hebrews 11:1-31 for more stories of God's "superheroes".
- Praying every day for God to help you live by faith.
- Looking for a weekly opportunity to be a "hero" in someone's life by helping them in some way that seems very ordinary to you. Your faith in God may seem quite extraordinary to them!
Spend a couple of minutes in prayer.... Thank God for the stories of faith He has provided in His Word. Ask Him to use these examples to show you how to live by faith. Thank Him and praise Him for the extraordinary ways He has worked in your life. Let Him know that you're willing to honor Him by serving Him even in the "ordinary" details of life.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
This whole 3Story way of living will become more and more natural for us as we consistently make ourselves available to our extraordinary God. He will lead us into opportunities to build relationships with people who need to know Jesus. Focus on knowing Jesus and you'll get to know their stories.
One idea would be for you to get some friends together to go see 'Spider-Man 3' (rated PG-13 for intense action violence) and then hang out and talk about it. Here's an article that may make your discussion even more interesting: http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/interviews/samraimy.html
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