A Double Feature In Faith

Is there anything better than going to the movie theater during the holidays? I submit that there is not. It may seem odd to you, but few things put me in the spirit of the season faster then a trip to the megaplex. It's probably because, as great as the summer movie season is, nothing can compare to the holiday movie season. Lucky for me, Alisa has come to grips with this and has begun to indulge me. Don't tell her but I think I have snuck a tradition into our family. (Fun fact for Carl: I just discovered that sneaked and snuck are in fact both words and completely interchangeable!) This marks the second year in a row we have seen a movie on Thanksgiving Day.  Thankfully we are two for two having loved the movies we saw on both occasions.

This year, bless my lucky stars, we followed that up by seeing another movie the day after! Christmas has a new date and it is the day after Thanksgiving!! Alisa's whole family was going and there is no more sure fire way to get Alisa to do something then to tell her her whole family is going.  For those of you who can no longer contain your curiosity, I'll let you know now that the two movies we saw were Rise of the Guardians and Life of Pi.  I tried to get permission from Alisa to go see Lincoln by myself on Saturday because, let's be honest, it's blasphemous for a guy trying to get into a masters program for American history to not see a movie about American history. I was rightly denied because it turns out it's even more blasphemous to spend money your saving for tuition on a movie... Go figure. But let's not spoil the wonderful events of the past week with what-might-have-been's.

What I found most interesting and enjoyable was that both movies had a strong message of faith and belief. This may not be a big deal for some of you unless you have considered the direction of society in this regard which is decidedly pointed away from such subject matter. However, I would highly recommend both of these films for more than just there underlying messages. Let's discuss them each individually!

Rise of the Guardians:

If I recall correctly (which, of course, I do) I recommended this movie to you all last year after merely seeing the poster and reading a short synopsis. I am happy to say that my premonition was not in vain. This is definitely a movie that the family should see together. In fact, after seeing this film the one thought that kept running through my mind was "Disney better watch their back!" 

If we compare Disney's most recent work (Wreck-it-Ralph) with this film. it's clear that in regards to clever, imaginative narrative creation, Disney is still sitting pretty as King. However, if we compare visual creations, it seems Disney has been dethroned for quite sometime, and they may not have a chance to win back the crown. This movie's animation wasn't just splendid: it was awe-inspiring. Not only was it realistic, but it was creative, it was imaginative... it was just plain cool! It is a truly stunning experience to see the creations of Dreamwork's conceptual art team. Don't misunderstand, their narrative skills may not be up to par with Disney's, but they are still extremely enjoyable and entertaining. 

Rise of the Guardians is a tale about the most famous fantasy figures in history (Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth-fairy, and the Sandman) as they battle for the faith of children all over the world against the Boogeyman. The combined efforts of the Fab Four don't appear to be enough, so Jack Frost is called to be a new Guardian and thus the stage is set for our story.  One of the underlying messages I loved most is that none of our magical participants can be seen unless they are believed in. Note that their existence does not depend on people believing in them, rather their ability to effect others lives depending on that individuals faith in them. It's a profound and deeply spiritual analogy for larger truths.

What I noticed with How to Train Your Dragon is that Dreamworks is starting to create films that kids and adults love equally without resorting to the cliche. Although this film is not a full realization of that fact, both age groups will love this film. The acting is incredible, the narrative twists are exciting, the message inspiring, and the animation is beyond praise. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a solid 7.5! As much as it pains me to say, Disney really has a lot to fear here. Go see the movie with the family or without and enjoy yourself!

Life Of Pi:

I was extremely apprehensive about this film until I read the book. From that point on, I couldn't get it out of my mind. Unfortunately for people reading who haven't read the book or seen the movie, I can't tell you why without spoilers. So I'll wait to explain until the end. If you haven't seen or read yet, I'll give you just enough to get you eager to see the film.

Life of Pi tells the story of a young boy that gets trapped on a life boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with an adult Bengal tiger. It shares more then just a message of faith like the Rise of the Guardians. The visual appeal of this movie is, to put it simply, beautiful. If you can't appreciate anything else from this film, you will love the cinematography! You will see all the awe-inspiring scenery you can bear in a two hour period.  Secondly, you will be extremely impressed by the skill of the actor who plays the teenage Pi. You wont realize until after you have seen it, but this is an extremely taxing role for an actor, but Suraj Sharma effortlessly excels.

I will let you know from personal experience that some of the animal violence is to much for kids 10 and under despite it's safe PG rating. There are a few jokes that miss but that is forgivable. Additionally, some of the film is drawn out and slow but over all the narrative is true to the book and as such compelling and profound. As a whole, I would give this film a 7 out of 10. Now then, I want to get to my philosophical discussion here so all you who don't know the ending might want to get outta here ;) Go see the movie and enjoy!

***Disclaimer! The ending is about to be discussed!***

All right, straight to the point. My biggest reason for wanting to see this movie was the ending. I loved the book a lot! But it drove me crazy that it leaves the ending completely up to you to decide which story is true. Was the story filled with animals and hope and truth or was the reality a terribly violent and inhuman corrosion of mankind?? I talked to Alisa about it after reading the book, and she never gave the second story a second thought. But I couldn't get it out of my mind. So I was hoping that somehow the movie would give a strong indication of which one we were supposed to lean towards. After watching, it seems that we are supposed to realize the animal story is the truth. I felt extremely vindicated because that means there was a truly beautiful spiritual message at the center of this story.

Sadly, I have to condemn myself to express that message. My first inclination was to think that the second story was the truth. Why? Because the first just seemed so impossible to believe. They don't include one of the book scenes in the movie: one of the most unbelievable parts of the book is when Pi's boat bumps into another boat in the middle of the ocean holding a similar shipwrecked victim who at the time is blind just like Pi. If I were supposed to take the story as more than fiction, I would want to believe the first but would ultimately believe the second. It just makes more sense that after an extremely traumatic event a young mind would invent the animal story to cope with the truth.

If we are honest, most of us would say the same. We as a society have developed the tendency to accept the more terrible story as the truth;  the more pessimistic it is, the easier it is to accept. Is it really because we think negative experiences are more common then positive ones? That, of course, isn't true because people show altruistic tendencies ten to one over evil ones. Yet we still accept the pessimistic to the optimistic one hundred to one. And so somewhere along the line, skepticism became equivalent to pessimism. That, dear friends, is how we have lost God in the world.

"Thus it is with God," Pi says after recounting the two stories. People are more likely to accept a truly terrible story over one of hope and faith because it is more familiar. But the truth usually requires faith. It takes something within us to believe. The story of God is incredible and unordinary, and it is also completely optimistic. But it is the truth. It just requires us to believe in it. As I said before, faith doesn't change the way things are, it just makes it easier for us. The truth is usually incredible and that is what makes it worth believing.

There's So Much To Be Thankful For

 Thanksgiving really is a wonderful time of year. It is, however, a little sad that we have to have a national holiday declared to realize how truly blessed we are. We live in a time now that we have so much to be thankful for. I strongly feel that we should remind ourselves of that every day. Still, why not spend one day being extra thankful and letting everyone else know. My list is very easy to write this year:

1. I am thankful for my beautiful, charming wife. She is prefect in my eyes!
2. I am thankful that Heavenly Father is blessing us with a baby boy in just over two months.
3. I am thankful for the atonement of Jesus Christ and his gospel.
4. I am thankful for my family: Mom & Dad, brothers, sisters & brothers-in-law, and nieces & nephews.
5. I am thankful for good movies and books. (This one is obvious given the subject of this blog!)
6. I am thankful to live in this great country where the purest and most noble ideals exist and rule.
7. I am thankful for a car that has been around the block (A LOT) but is still running.
8. I am thankful for good music!
9. I am thankful for the clothes on my back, the food in my stomach, and the apartment I live in.
10. I am thankful for all the technological advances we have that, if not abused, makes life so much better.

And of course I'm thankful for everyone that reads this silly blog!

Now that all the serious stuff is out of the way, the holidays are also a time to enjoy some nonsensical frivolities! And so I give you this list. Some of you may be feeling really down this year. Some of you may not think you absolutely nothing to be grateful for this year. Fear not, my weary reader, I am here to show you just how much worse things could be! I present to you a list of ten movies that should make you realize how great your life is! If these movies don't shake you from your self-pitying melancholy this holiday season, I don't know what will! So enjoy and remember how much you have to be thankful for! Make sure to read the very end for my special Black Friday offer... or something like that!

I am Legend

Be grateful your dog isn't your ONLY friend:

Of course, there are about a thousand different things to feel grateful for after watching this film. For instance, that you don't have thousands of vampire/zombie things trying to kill you or that you don't have to treat your apartment like Fort Knots or that you don't have a Portuguese woman come and eat the last of your bacon or that you don't have to live in New York City... But what you should be most grateful for is the fact that you aren't so lonely that your dog dying would send you off the deep end. I mean, come on! The guy was actually nervous to talk to a female manikin that he later begged to speak to him.I've felt desperate for attention before, but not THAT desperate. So, if your feeling lonely this holiday, remember it could be worse... A LOT worse.

The Truman Show

 Be grateful your entire life isn't being watched by the whole world:

If you're like me after you saw this film you keep trying to move erratically to see if you could spot a camera following you. It only takes you about half an hour to realize that would be one of the worse things that could possibly happen to you. Think for a second of all the things you accidentally do: falling down stairs or hitting yourself in the face when you open the door. We all look around afterwards to make sure no one was watching. But than think about all the things you WILLINGLY do because you think no one's watching! Things like picking your nose, relieving yourself of a wedgie, eating someone elses food, or that time you dressed up in girl clothes to see what it would be like... These are hypotheticals people, not confessions!! Anyway, I guess if you were ignorant the whole time it would be that bad. But if you knew! Ouch. Count your blessing and be grateful! 

The Prestige

Be grateful you gave up those aspersions for a career as a magician:

Remember when you thought that being a magician was the coolest thing you could grow up to be? Remember when reality came and saved your from that delusion? I'm sorry if you had to wait for this movie to have that experience. I mean, yeah, it seems great at first, but think of what you have to sacrifice! Let's count them off: a couple fingers, the ability to walk without a limp, your reputation, your money, your wife (that's an absolute, everyone ends up alone in the end of the movie), a hundred clones of yourself... the right to acknowledge you exist! My job isn't great, but at least I haven't had to willingly walk into a cage of lightening bolts lately! I'm not a magician, and I am thankful for that!

Cast Away

Be grateful you haven't cried over the loss of a sports ball since your were 4

Now this one takes lonely to a whole new level. If we want to be realistic (which generally is extremely unpopular), no one is ever going to really experience the result of a zombie apocalypses like in I Am Legend. However, being trapped on a desert island all alone... there are thousands of uncharted islands out there, and planes fly over oceans all the time! If you have made it to this point in your life without being a cast away, give yourself a pat on the back. Consider how grateful you should be. Talking to a manikin is one thing, but making a volleyball your best friend?! I like sports and all, but my brothers and I lost baseballs all the time when I was younger, and we'd just shrug our shoulders and say "Don't tell Dad." I am thankful I have never had the experience of giving up my desire for life because my Wilson floated away.

Phantom of the Opera

Be grateful your lady isn't being seduced by a deformed opera singer

 How can you compete with a guy that can sing so sweetly that women are blinded by the fact that he is hideously disfigured? Not to mention he has the coolest digs ever! (I do wonder about all the candles though... how are they not asphyxiating from all the smoke, let alone singing at the top of their lungs?) Regardless of gender, you should be thankful your significant other doesn't know anyone that can literally sing their pants off. I'm pretty sure the Phantom only lost this one because he was up against an extremely rich guy that the girl knew her whole life! The average person wouldn't fair so well. So make sure to say thanks for the fact your life is sans phantom! ;)

 King Kong

If you thought the opera singer was bad...

 If you had a hard time with the opera singer, you've got no chance against a giant gorilla that saved your girl for not one, but TRES T-Rex! Enough said!  Furthermore, be thankful the love of your life isn't suffering from Stockholm syndrome... for an animal. That goes beyond Cast Away crazy... way beyond. Everyone can be thankful they're not that guy!

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Be grateful your not an orphan (for the most part):

This one has a clear exception. There is a slight chance you could be the orphan type that ends up being a Bruce Wayne or a James Bond. If you missed out on that you have nothing to celebrate... your life sucks in comparison. But based on cinematic statistics your chances of hitting that avenue aren't looking so good. So be thankful that you aren't an orphan in a movie because if you were you'd be force to go around the streets singing and dancing for food like an unchoreographed Oliver Twist. Or worse still, you could end up like the Baudelaire children from the Lemony Snicket tales. In that case, you would go through four or five parental guardians in a matter of a couple days, four or which would be dead and one of which would be actively trying to kill you. To make matters worse, any adult you met would be a complete moron. But you could comfort yourself that you can still read and bite things... Oh happy day...

What About Bob

 Be grateful your stalker isn't hilarious

 Most stalkers do the right thing and let you know they are creepy and awkward. They dress and act in such a way that if you saw them coming down the street you'd think, "Hey, it's a creepy guy. I suppose I should avoid him!" But what happens if you stalker is as hilarious and charming as Bill Murray? Worse yet, what if people actually started to like your stalker more than you?! Considering no one reading this blog has ever had this experience, we should all consider ourselves very lucky here! I know I couldn't compete with Bob! It would be terrible to be the only one that hates the guy everyone else loves. I should mention this one as a thing I'm thankful for on Thursday at dinner!

Jurassic Park

Be grateful science can't live up to a 5th graders imagination

I loved dinosaurs growing up, same as any grade school boy. And I loved this movie! But how terrible would it be if this were real? I mean, I use the toilet probably twice as much as the next guy. That means my chance of getting plucked of it by a T-Rex would be twice as high if science could clone them. I think every once and a while we need to send a prayer heavenward thanking God that science in many ways is an epic failure! If this isn't enough to make you count your blessings, consider that you haven't had to watch the second and third Jurassic Parks since they came out! You might even be a lucky one that never saw them all! Bless your stars!

The Fugitive

Be grateful you have a good alibi 

Hey, I'm not here to judge. If your a murderer, that's cool, just stay away from me and you can still feel as lucky from this movie as an innocent man. (Disclaimer: I am judging! If you're a murderer please stop reading my blog and turn yourself into the proper authorities immediately.) But can you imagine being innocent of the a crime like this and the best thing you have to say is "My wife was murdered by a one-armed man"?? I'm not even buying that if it's coming out of my own mouth! If you've never been convicted of a crime, feel good about that. If you have been convicted of a crime, but at least had an awesome alibi you can still feel pretty good! At least you don't have Tommy Lee Jones hunting your bum.

 _ _ _ _

You see! And you thought you didn't have anything to be grateful for. There's one more thing. Some of you may be really low and need even more things to be grateful for. So here's the deal I'm offering. If we can get the views on this post up to 50 by Wednesday night, I will make an additional list of 5 more movies that should make you feel grateful! So tell your friends to check it out and let's see if we can make it! Additionally, if you have any suggestions for good movies feel free to share and I'll add them to the next post if we get to 50. Here's hoping!

My Word Is My Bond. James Bond.

Growing up, James Bond wasn't the most popular name in my house. Of course we all knew who he was, but to me he was the guy in those movies that included just enough risque material to make my parents question whether or not us kids should be watching it. I have to admit to this day I am still not very familiar with the older Bonds. All I have seen was the result of Bond marathons they used to play around Christmas on TV. Naturally, my opinion soured since there were about a thousand other things I wanted to be watching around that time of year. The ones I was very familiar with just worsened that opinion. I think I have the right to claim child abuse for having to grow up with Pierce Bronson as James Bond. I mean, yeah, "Golden Eye" was one of the best video games from my childhood but nobody really associated it with the movie did they? Thought not!

Then the world was given a gift. I know there are some people out there that disagree, but Daniel Craig is the best thing to ever happen to James Bond. The man was born to play that role, and sadly I truly hope the character dies with his retirement. Casino Royale received instant acclaim. It had action, drama, romance, betrayal, intrigue, poker... a cringe worthy torture scene. Not only that but they had the best Bond girl as well. However, it seems that I am one of the few people that truly enjoyed Quantum of Solace just as much as Casino Royale. I loved the fact that the enjoyably melancholy plot from the first film continued into the second. So it seems only right that when Skyfall was finally announced my blood pressure increased.

After a mixed year of pleasant surprises, met expectations, and major disappointments, I wasn't sure what to expect when I heard that Skyfall was being called the best Bond film of all time. To put it straight forward for you, I don't feel that was true. I still believe that Casino Royale holds that distinction. But don't be disheartened; I can gladly tell you it was an extremely close second. If you are looking for the number one movie to go see on a date currently, this is the one for you. Clearly, since I didn't think it was the best Bond flick of all time, there were things that I would have changed, but in every other aspect it is a total winner.

What I Loved:
Something I loved so much about this new take on Bond was the flow of the action. As in all three, the film starts out with intense action. Then the action is drawn back and replaced with intensely compelling drama and subtle thrills. And then just when you think you've been completely satisfied by the film, they throw in the most intensely action packed climax you have ever seen. This film uses the same sequence without a "been there done that" feeling. I can't say the opening to this film was the best of the three, because I think they are all completely tied. It was by far the most nail-biting and leaves you eager for the rest of the film. The ending is equally as epic. Even though it has a more claustrophobic tension, it is deeply entertaining. I wish I could tell it to you, but I wouldn't dare ruin the experience!

I further loved the deeper glimpses you get into the life of James Bond and M. In the last two films, you get a lot of hints and inclinations about James' past. In this one, you finally get to see some of it. I won't give it away, but when you finally discover what the title Skyfall refers to. You'll regret that you were ever upset by the title when they announced it. I'll just say... WOW! Since the trailer makes it quite clear that Bond gets shot and presumed dead at the beginning, I won't hesitate in mentioning it now. This provides a great narrative opportunity. Bond has to get re-cleared for action, and we get to see some of the tests Double O's have to go through in order to get that distinction. Additionally, we get further insights into M's past that takes you on a "Dumbledore-style" loss of trust that requires greater faith from our hero.

The one thing this film can claim is the greatest Bond villain of all time. To sum up, I'll just say he makes you feel uncomfortable in every way possible. To be as vague as I can, I challenge you not to be intimidated when you see him with out his "mask." Throughout the whole film it felt like the character was written by Chris Nolan because I was continually reminded of the Joker. Trust me, you won't disagree with me here. I also loved the addition of Ralph Fiennes character. It was very refreshing to see him play something other than a villain. And to round it out, faithful fans of the older franchise will be pleased with the addition of the Q and Moneypenny.

Room for Improvement:
My greatest feeling of loss was from the lack of connection with the first two films. There were a few scenes where I didn't recognize Bond. Some of this is because of the direction of the plot, but the influence of Vesper--so prevalent in the first two--is completely absen,t and it made me sad. It could be argued that it's because he moved on at the end of the second film. However, there is a scene where Bond undergoes a psych evaluation with word association and it would have been the perfect spot to mention her. Oh well. I also didn't like that in several points in the film Bond isn't working solo.

Finally, although the song done by Adele for the film is perfect, I was greatly disappointed by the rest of the score. The first two films have an incredible thing going with the work of David Arnold. The score was compelling, mysterious, and melancholy. This soundtrack by Thomas Newman is nothing nearly as complementary. As much as I loved the film, I will never forgive the choice to abandon Arnold for Newman. Okay, the soundtrack isn't terrible by any means, but this guy here was waiting anxiously to buy it the second it became available... until I heard it. Now this soundtrack won't have the opportunity of being part of my collection.

These shortcomings should in no way dissuade you from seeing the film. The scenery is incredible, the camera work is engaging, the tension is thick, the action is stunning, the humor is comforting, and the acting is beyond censor. In short Skyfall is a winner. Go check it out before The Hobbit pushes the thought from your mind. ;)

Wrecking Has Never Been So Fun

Past the age of 12 or so, I never really was one for video games. I can count on one hand (maybe one and a half) the games that I actually loved playing as a kid. Don't tell my parents, but one of the most vivid memories I have from young childhood is pretending to be asleep while me and my brothers played Sonic with the sound off and trying not to yell at each other. The second you scream that your brother is cheating in the game, the illusion of sleeping angels explodes. Another memory I have is playing Street Fighter all day in my brothers room while we blared the greatest hits of Queen: Another One Bites the Dust goes perfect with that game. Combine that with a few days playing Zelda and a few group gatherings playing Mario Kart or Golden-eye that pretty much encompasses my entire video game life.

So when I first saw a trailer for Wreck-It Ralph, I was a little apprehensive. As I have mentioned before, I totally thought this sounded more like a Pixar movie than a regular Disney. But by the time that I saw that second trailer my mind was completely changed! I began eagerly anticipating the cute Disney-style humor and became extremely excited for what I could draw as the moral of the story. I am happy to announce that now after I have seen it, I was not disappointed in the least! However, I'm going to do things a little differently today. First, I'll give you a review of the movie, which I'm sure will make all of you want to get up off your hinnies and get to the theater. Then I'm going to have a share my thoughts on the beautiful message that some people might miss with this flick. Let's get wrecking!

First of all, let me say that you should never underestimate a Disney film as simple. While watching this film, you'll begin to be lulled into the idea that it isn't anything more than frivolous enjoyment with no twist, turn or reason. That is where you would be wrong. I was actually shocked by the ending of this movie. No, it isn't a "the whole thing is a dream" kind of ending. It is merely surprisingly complex to see how everything comes together to form a beautifully cathartic ending. Though this film may seem sweet and fluffy, it would take a Holy Hand Grenade to bring it down. ;)

Secondly, I would just love to sit in on one of Disney's writing sessions. How do they find such clever things to create out of so little? I will say that there aren't really that many "Oh my goodness, I may have just wet myself from laughing so hard" moments. This film doesn't need that. Instead, what we get is an overabundance of sweetly enjoyable wit that makes you warmly smile over and over again. Granted, there is a lot to draw on from the vintage video game world, but they wisely choose the best without forcing us to choke on the cliche.Whether it's a pie reference during a candy car race, a laffy-taffy love song, or the repeated use of "dynamite gal," you'll be warmly glowing with each piece of clever wit. (You'll get those references when you see the movie.)

Now, I know, so far I have described this movie as sweet and sappy, but that in no way should turn you off. If Disney is still the King of one thing it is creating films that are just are enjoyable for kids and adults. In fact, they may have erred in the favor of adults this time. Let's face it, they are talking about vintage video games that people my age played as kids. Your five-year old is probably going to have no idea who Zangief is. Most of those jokes will be just for you to enjoy, not your kids. But, hey, they'll still laugh along cause you are laughing. I will warn that some of the movie did go a little too far for younger audiences. A zombie gets his heart pulled out, the bad guy at the end is one of the creepiest in Disney history, and there is even a Satan joke thrown in. So the one age restriction maybe age 6 and under.

Overall, the acting is spot on. The animation is incredible. The humor is family-oriented. The plot is entertaining without being cookie-cutter obvious. The morals are great for any age. The emotion touching. The tension is knife-cutable. Mostly is just a solid hour and a half of entertainment. Now there is one this Alisa and I are divided on. Disney is back to doing short films at the beginning of their films just as Pixar has been doing for since their inception. I, for one, loved it and thought the short film was really cute. Alisa disagreed solely on the fact that she felt it was a Pixar thing and should remain such. You can decide for yourself. Go see the film!

-The Moral of the Story-
It all started simple enough, I'm sure. People need to make wise judgements. It's how we are able to choose between good and bad. Somewhere along the way, though, we began to expedite that process by creating labels for things. The labels themselves didn't mean much, but their implications were extremely heavy. And then those labels were used on people: "ugly," "stupid," "fat," "bad guy." (Now you see where this ties into the movie.) These are all labels that really don't mean much but can kill an individual. The most enjoyable part of the film was the role of labels in determining how we perceive ourselves and who we choose to be. Wreck-it Ralph is a great guy. But because he is labeled as the bad guy in the game everyone considers him a bad guy.

The movie starts out with Ralph in an AA-style meeting for bad guys in video games talking about how they deal with their character. Ralph doesn't want to be the bad guy anymore. He is told at the meeting that labels don't matter and that you should just love you for you. After all, as he is told, you can't change who you are. And that is where our society ran into trouble I think. Yes, it is very important that we have a healthy affection for ourselves. But do we really want to achieve that by believing were infallible?! Modern music is being choked with songs that contain lyrics like "Born this way" and "Pretty, pretty please don't you ever, ever feel like your less than, less than perfect" and "Who says your not perfect" and a thousand other examples. When Lady Gaga came out with that song I wanted to shout at the radio, "Well, yeah! But I was also born naked, bald, incapable of controlling bowel movements, and unable to speak!!" Clearly no one really wants to stay the way they were born.

By saying that you are perfect the way you are or you can't change something because you were born that way is like gladly making the label a part of you. It's also denying the fact that you have the ability to change anything you don't like. Rather than Ralph saying, "Hey, I'm bad and I love it since I can't change that," he went out and changed. Sure it would have worked out better if you had respect for himself before he began the process, but the lesson is still that same. Don't EVER fall into the trap of thinking you're perfect the way you are because than you'll never know how perfect you are CAPABLE of being. Humans are fascinating in their ability to adapt and evolve and become better! Why should we abandon that just so we can feel fake peace with ourselves? And yes, I say fake because bad actions will ALWAYS bring negative results no matter how much we pretend we like them or pretend we don't know what is causing them.

What I loved about Wreck-it Ralph is when Ralph didn't like something, he realized he had the power to fix it. (He didn't need Fix-it Felix! ;) He took action, and he had an incredible adventure. He made a new friend, and he was also able to rid her of her label issue. In the end, what changed him the most was that he stopped worrying about himself and cared for someone else. If ever there was a lesson on how to learn to love yourself and change what you don't like it is that! Love others and stop thinking about YOURSELF. In the end, that attitude made Ralph exactly what he wanted to be: a hero!

I pray that someday society will apply that lesson. First of all, stop giving people labels!! Actions are bad or good, people merely choose them. Secondly, stop trying to comfort others by telling them they can't change so just learn to accept it! People can be whatever they want! You decide and you live with the consequence. And when you know that, it doesn't matter how people label you. And finally, forget about yourself and start caring about others! It is truly the only cure for low self-esteem. To paraphrase what Ralph says at the end of the movie, if someone great loves you, how could you possibly be a bad guy? Ralph was a hero even though his label said "bad guy" because he CHOOSE to be a hero. Now get to work! ;)