Hi everyone, and welcome to another edition of the Nightcrawler Experience!
This entry will be concluding my collaboration with St. John's United Methodist Church on heir "Summer at the Movies: Around the World" series.
We've been to China for 'Mulan,' Mexico for 'Coco,' France for 'Ratatouille,' and now we're returning to North America for a look at the 2006 film 'Open Season'!
The story centers around Boog (Voice of Martin Lawrence), a grizzly bear who's lived with a friendly ranger in a small town outside of the forest his entire life. As a result, while happy, he's also incredibly sheltered and unable to do much of anything on his own. After Boog gets in some trouble with a goofy, one- antlered deer named Elliot (Voice of Ashton Kutcher), the ranger is forced to airlift both of them into the heart of the forest and leave them there. When Boog wakes up (He'd been tranquilized before being brought there), he immediately sets out to get back to civilization and his old life, with Elliot acting as his guide. All the while, they're dreading the impending start of Hunting Season, and trying to steer clear of Shaw (Voice of Gary Sinise), a demented hunting fanatic who believes the two of them are planning an animal uprising against humans.
I'll admit, I'd actually never seen this film before up until just a few days ago. While it's not as amazing of a movie as the other ones we watched in this series, I think it's alright.
One issue I have with 'Open Season' is that I think Martin Lawrence may have been a little miscast as the voice of Boog. He's ok and all, but considering that Boog is a very large grizzly bear, I think they should have gone with an actor with a deeper voice, like maybe Vin Diesel or Michael Clarke Duncan. Also, the animation is definitely not as polished as it is for the other films that we showed in this series. Then again, few animation studios can match Disney or Pixar for that kind of quality. There is also a bit too much bathroom humor at times, but that's pretty much a prerequisite for kids' movies anymore.
All that being said, 'Open Season' still proved to be a decent enough film. The story was alright, with a few interesting turns and plenty of humor. It even manages a little heart at times. Once Boog and Elliot become used to each other's presence, the bond they start building with each other is surprisingly sweet.
Boog is a good enough main character. He seems somewhat torn between loving his life in the ranger's garage with everything he needs provided for him, and feeling regretful that he doesn't really know how to do anything. Elliot is quite a funny supporting character, incompetent and simple- minded but also loyal and mostly well- meaning. Ashton Kutcher does a lot better with his voice than I expected him to. Shaw makes for a pretty good villain; Rather than just another one- dimensional "Evil human" out to mistreat animals out of greed and just for the heck of it, Shaw has the additional motive of his paranoid belief that Boog and Elliot are planning an animal uprising. Plus, Gary Sinise does a great job with his voice, I seriously couldn't tell it was him.
However, my favorite character in the film was McSquizzy (Voice of Billy Connolly), a hilarious, ultra- aggressive Scottish squirrel who commands an army/ clan of fellow squirrels that defend their trees with smack- talking and barrages of acorns. Let's just say that if you're ever in the woods, and hear a bunch of voices from the taller branches of one of the trees all shout "OI" in perfect unison, you'd better start running. McSquizzy is so much fun in every scene he's in, the sort of character who might make a good spinoff movie. Also, a few good laughs can be taken from a human couple in the movie who are revealed to be "Sasquatch- hunters."
While definitely not a masterpiece like the previous films we looked at in this series, 'Open Season' is a decent enough movie, fun for a watch.
In my devotional which was passed out at the movie screening tonight, I brought up that one important Biblical message which can be taken from 'Open Season' ties into the theme of a refuge in the wilderness. I pointed out that Boog and Elliot's perilous trek through the woods over the course of the film can kind of tie in to Psalm 46, which deals with how God is our refuge in the wildernesses of life (Both literal and figurative). Once again, though, I'd say there's more that can be found.
Another Biblical message I've found in 'Open Season' is on valuing life and refraining from unnecessary violence and brutality, using the evil hunter Shaw as a cautionary example. There is nothing wrong with a little hunting or fishing now and then, if done legally and responsibly. Heck, when I was on vacation in Canada last month, I went on a fishing trip one morning and caught about a half- dozen fish! It was the best day of fishing I'd had in years! However, there's a BIG difference between a sportsmanlike appreciation for recreational hunting, and sheer bloodlust. Shaw in the movie epitomizes the latter of the two. He is a man who truly values death more than life, the only living thing he has any care for is himself. Not even fellow humans are safe from him, as a scene early on has Shaw deliberately attempting to kill Elliot with his truck in the middle of town, nearly hitting several pedestrians in the process. Scripture openly condemns holding such a barbaric, kill- crazy attitude towards God's creations. Psalm 11:5 says that "The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, He hates with a passion." Also, Proverbs 3:31 instructs believers, "Do not envy a man of violence, and do not choose any of his ways." We are to try and model gentleness and peace in our lives as much as possible, value life and the creatures God creates, and shun the senseless violence and viciousness that defines the very lives of real- life people like Shaw.
A final theological message I can think of from 'Open Season' is on the importance of calling. Even though Boog was at first determined to get out of the forest as quickly as possible, he soon learns that he should use the fact that he's there to help protect Elliot and the other animals in the forest from falling victim to Shaw and the rest of the hunters. It wasn't where Boog wanted to be, but it was clearly where he NEEDED to be in order to do the most good he possibly could. This calls to mind Esther 4:14 in which Mordecai tells his cousin Esther that "And who knows, but that you have come to your royal position for times such as this?" There are times in life when we might seem stuck in a situation or period in our lives which we'd rather not be in. However, it is extremely likely that God put us in those situations because He has specific, extremely important things He'd like us to do while in that situation or period. He's called us to important purposes, and needs at times to have us go through strange, scary, or difficult times to help us achieve it. It's just a matter of remaining open to the Lord and His will for you. Wherever you are and in whatever circumstances you may be in, do not hesitate to say, "Here I am, Lord! Send me!"
So, that wraps up this look at 'Open Season,' a fun family movie which can help teach us about relying on God's refuge and protection, shunning violence and valuing life, and remaining open and willing to follow God's calling for you.
That closes this summer collaboration with St. John's United Methodist Church. As always, I have been overjoyed to be a part of it, and look forward to working together with them again soon.
And so, that completes this entry in the Nightcrawler Experience. I have a couple big ideas for future entries I'm planning on, so keep your eyes peeled. Until then, God bless you all!
No comments:
Post a Comment