Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Gospel According to Wall-E




I was actually planning on attending So Hills' HIP (High Impact Praise) tonight, but logistics kept me shut in. So we ate homemade burritos (even though we had Taco Bueno for lunch) while we watched Wall-E. Whether it was the beans--and the effects thereof-- playing tricks with my mind, the slow detailed study of the gospel of John in Greek, or whether the message is blatant; I couldn't help noticing the gospel message (particularly as told by John) in the movie.

Syopsis: A tight knit culture is exposed to an entity completely foreign to them. This entity (here represented by Wall-E and the plant) represents life. Although the community aboard the spaceship is technically alive, none of them are really living. They are surrounded by thousands of fellow human beings, but are completely isolated and bored. They are bound by protocol, directives, and the status quo.

Then LIFE comes aboard their ship. It pays no attention to the strict protocol being observed by the masses, except to oppose and expose it. Many come into contact with this life. The common people and common robots are drawn to HIM and begin to experience LIFE for the first time. No longer are they content with their dull existence. As the captain succinctly declares, "I don't want to survive! I want to LIVE!!!"

But this new life has it's foes. The forces that control the community are bound by FEAR and the LAW. Instead of embracing this new life, they seek to destroy it because of the threat it poses. In the battle for life, Wall-E (the bringer of life), gets crushed, but in doing so, opens the gate that allows everyone to experience real life. Wall-E sacrificed himself, so that all may have life and have it to the full.

But that's not the end, Wall-E is resurrected as he is returned home to prepare a place for the rest to live. And as they work, they find community, they find purpose...they find LIFE!

OK so tell me I'm not the only one who sees it this way.