I caught Wolverine over the long weekend and, well, I loved it. Loved it so much that I will probably catch it a second time.Ok, admittedly, the film-makers did take certain liberties over some of the characters and how they were portrayed but I have never been a big fan of Deadpool anyway.
It was really fun seeing how the special effects people managed to bring to life some of the mutant abilities of the various characters and, for want of a better word, it was really cool. (I think I am still young enough to use that word.)
In terms of storyline and plot, it was nothing spectacular and there were plot-holes here and there, but why nit-pick? It was an enjoyable movie which was able to sustain interest because it had a good pace and never felt draggy. In fact, I felt that certain scenes could have been longer.
Since I could remember, I have always loved comic books and the superheroes and villains who inhabit the world of ink and bright colours on the printed page. I still have a huge box of comics from the good old days in my room. Occasionally, I still venture into that time-worn box and pick out a few classics and re-live the adventures and thrills of the heroes featured within.
What is the attraction of superheroes anyway? Well, I think we love these characters because of their special abilities. We think these abilities make them special and extraordinary. By extension, we also believe that we would also become special if we possess these abilities and gifts. We long to be as agile and quick as Spiderman, as strong and powerful as the Thing or as courageous and determined as Wolverine.
Yet the biggest lie that we have all bought into is that we are just mere human beings and totally ordinary because we lack these gifts and talents.
I have come to realise that all of us are special because there is only one of each of us. To put it more spectacularly, God broke the mould after He made each one of us. We are all different and totally unique, with different personalities, sets of abilities and talents and traits. If we look at it that way, then we are all, each and every one of us, extraordinary.
The problem is that we spend far too much time looking at what we do not have that others do (looks, musical talent, athletic gifts, intellectual prowess, etc) than appreciating what we have that others do not. That is why we spend so much time trying to be other people and someone else and too little time just being ourselves.
However, the biggest question is - If you spend so much time trying to be someone else, then who is going to be you?
Sure, it would really be cool to have some of the mutant abilities of the mutants in the Marvel Universe. Personally, I would love to have the ability to generate a forcefield around me at will, making me practically invulnerable.
But do we really need mutant abilities or superpowers to be extraordinary? I hope you see now, as I do, that the answer is really no.
The other thing we love about heroes like Wolverine and Gambit is what they choose to do with their powers. They do noble things like protecting the weak, standing up for what is right and staring evil in the face.
However, do we really need super powers to do all these things? Can we not do good with what we already have?
How about giving our time to help the needy? Helping struggling students/friends with their work? Reporting a crime/unlawful activity when we witness it? Going overseas to help build houses for the poor?
We have, built within us, the God-given and inspired capacity to do good and all we need are the opportunities and the desire and willingness to step out of the comfort zone. That is why I believe in the power, impact and meaning of involving my students in community outreach programmes or charitable causes. Once they see what they can do, they will want to do it again.
So, do we need to be super-powered beings to do good? Again, the answer is no and the truth lies with our correct and accurate perception of who we truly are and what we can truly accomplish.
As we grow older, we become more comfortable with who we are and what we have. That is when we find our place in God's scheme of things and grow to be who we should be. That is when we realise we are already extraordinary.
Having mutant abilities and super powers would merely be a bonus.
