Movies and their outreach on our character

Anyone that has had the pleasure (or misfortune) of meeting me will tell you how much I have always loved watching movies. My taste is far-ranging, from watching Dragonball Z on Toonami every Saturday night, to getting lost in the cinematic legend that is The Dark Knight. Movies to me are more than a simple viewing experience, they are marked by dramatic graphics and explosive story telling. Over time, my love for movies grew beyond the enticing language and captivating images– the true impact is in the lessons they’ve imprinted that I carry with me.

In my childhood I loved watching old karate flicks with my dad. I was entranced by the overplayed fight scenes and how the words never seemed to catch up to their mouths, but the overarching themes of the films are what hooked me and created the film buff before you today. The plots of these action/martial arts movies follow some regime that has taken over the province and the people who build a resistance – standing up to their oppressors. Watching these storylines from a young age made me believe in my own strength and my capacity to stand against the odds. I was shown that no matter what cards are stacked against you, it is always possible to come out with the winning hand. For instance, it is prevalent in Tobey Maguire’s Spiderman. Being bullied and belittled a majority of his life, Peter was overcome with a sense of pride and overwhelming ego when he first received his powers. He went against the teachings of his Uncle Ben and didn’t respect the responsibility that came with power. It was only when Peter was face to face with his uncle's murderer that he was able to truly understand the meaning of his uncle’s wishes. Peter had the power to bring justice to his uncle through enacting his revenge or use his new abilities to bring this man to justice. The path may be treacherous and filled with peril, but through perseverance and courage, anything is possible. The magic of these films are imprinted on your souls when breathing in these films. While action/martial arts movies may seem haphazard and shallow on the surface, their capacity to influence the mindset and character of the average day people are undeniable. There’s no mistake on their influence on a person’s mindset and character.

When someone asks me what movies have taught me, the short answer is hope. I can move any obstacle and open any door as long as I’m willing to take a chance and move forward. The movies we admire, or that comprise our top ten, hold weight because we see ourselves in these characters. Whether its an aspect that is highlighted in your day to day life or one that is waiting to step out from behind the curtain, the story forces these attributes to the forefront. Any risk I considered not taking because I was afraid of how I would be perceived or afraid I would fail, I was empowered to take, because my favorite movies showed me someone from worse conditions who made something of themselves, in the face of all odds. The only difference between these characters and I, was the courage and will to act.Regardless of whether it is a hero’s resolve to overcome the villain or a man’s lack of confidence in approaching a woman, our fictional characters did took action, so why can’t we?