"The Lord is my strength. He makes my feet swift as those of the antelope, and he gives me the power to climb mountains." Habakkuk 3:19
About a month ago, I blogged about a car chase movie (Dukes of Hazzard) and likened the Dukes family to Amos and the prophets of Israel. After a few weeks without seeing the August films, I am writing about another car chase movie (Transporter 2) and comparing its hero to the minor prophet Habbakuk and the prophets of Judah. Perhaps it has something to do with those fast cars and adreneline-pumping chases...
Before going on, I must admit that I did not see Transporter 1. I saw this film based on the action-packed trailer and Roger Ebert's enticing review. I like what I saw.
In this movie, Frank (the titular transporter, played by Jason Statham) is a well-dressed 'chauffeur' for a rich Miami couple's six-year old son, who eventually gets abducted by a group of bounty hunter kidnappers in order to infect the boy with a virus that will spread to his father, and then all the politicians he knows. The real story, however, is Frank and his Audi.
Frank is Habbakuk, who finds his strength in his honesty, gentlemenly manners, and right judgement. In Transporter 2, he is tempted, pushed, and threatened, but his moral center never wavers. He is a model hero that saves the day while staying true to his heart values and the promises to others. He never betrays another's trust, and the protection of the innocent is always the first of his priorities.
"Rules are made to be broken," is what one of the villians tells Frank, and this is also what our world tells us. But this film's postmodern hero sticks firmly to his convictions and values in the face of temptation, adversity, and struggle. Here, finally, is a character who makes following rules look cool.
Like Frank, we too must find our real strength comes out when we allow ourselves to be swept up by our God. On the surface, submission to the Lord looks like something a weak person would do. But on a week when we celebrate the feast of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, no one would ever doubt that this diminutive sister was probably one of the most powerful figures in the history of the world.
If we really want power, we'll only find it in humble submission to God and his Word.
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1 comment:
Thank you for blogging about a movie where one of the main characters sticks to moral values and beliefs. I have never heard of this film, but it is encouraging to see how some film writers can take a plot such as this and from a story around it, where there is enough action and adventure to hold the viewers' attention, while also showing that things like protection of the innocent is important. Do you know more themes that are going on in society right now, where maybe these values are especially valuable to hold true to?
I think it is nice to have people who can help us out, in dealing with situations that are especially difficult or hurtful to our emotions.
I agree with your statements here about adversity.
People can be cruel to those that are different.
Thanks for such encouraging statements.
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