Integrity, putting others first, and rooting for the underdog: A faith- based look at 'Mulan.'

Hi everyone, and welcome back to the Nightcrawler Experience!
Like I said at the end of my last entry, I had some new ideas on the way very soon, and here they are.
It's that time of year again: Time for my blog to renew its partnership with St. John's United Methodist Church as they do their 'Summer at the Movies' series in which they air a movie, their great pastor David Averill incorporates it into his sermon that Sunday, and I make a devotional for the screening and an accompanying entry on the Nightcrawler Experience explaining even more Scriptural messages that can be found in it.
This year, the movies selected will have an "Around the World" feel to it, and we're kicking it off with Disney's 'Mulan,' a movie which is actually celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!

Taking place in Imperial China, our story revolves around Fa Mulan (Voice of Ming- Na Wen), a young woman who desperately seeks to look after and bring honor to her family, but has little success. Everything changes when the Huns, led by the brutal Shan- Yu, begin an invasion of China, and the Emperor announces a conscription to gain more troops. In order to save her aging father from being drafted, Mulan disguises herself as a man and joins the army in his place. She is helped in her quest by Mushu (Voice of Eddie Murphy), a motormouthed dragon who used to be one of her family's guardians, and figures that by helping Mulan survive and become a hero in the war, he may be able to get his old position back. Mulan soon succeeds in her training, and through her courage and wit, manages to save all of China.

While this movie was made near the tail- end of the "Disney Renaissance" of the 90's, and thus was not as unforgettable as some of the films that came before it, 'Mulan' is still a great film that I always like watching when it comes on.

 Probably the only real problem I had with 'Mulan' was with Shan- Yu. A lot of Disney fans regard him as one of the best Disney villains ever, but I always found him to be very overrated, all shine and no substance. His physical design is creepy and intimidating, and his theme music adds to his threatening presence, but he doesn't have anywhere near as much personality as truly great Disney villains like Ursula, Maleficent, Frollo, or Hades. Plus, he has easily one of the lamest, most anticlimactic death scenes of any Disney baddie; A disappointing end for a disappointing villain.

Now that that’s out of the way, there is a LOT to like about ‘Mulan.’ The story is quite engaging, it does a marvelous job with its action sequences and fight scenes (Especially a scene about 2/3rds of the way into the film involving a massive avalanche), the animation is great, there are a lot of funny moments, and the characters other than Shan- Yu are quite enjoyable to watch.
 Mulan makes for a wonderful heroine. She earnestly wants to protect and honor her family, but is hampered by the fact that her status as a woman in China in those days keeps her from being able to shine as much with her talents. Seeing her make up for her relative lack of physical strength with her brains and resourcefulness is quite inspiring. Shang’s a pretty good male lead, too. You can tell how much pressure he’s under as the new captain of this regiment of troops, between trying to whip his rather incompetent recruits into shape, deal with the criticisms of an obnoxious bureaucrat who’s monitoring him on behalf of the Emperor, and live up to the example and expectations of the general of the army (Who happens to be his own father). Mushu is funny and pretty likable, and generally keeps from getting too annoying, a good supporting character all in all. I also LOVED the three soldiers Mulan befriends over the course of the film: Hotheaded Yao, wisecracking Ling, and the food- obsessed gentle giant Chien- Po. These guys are a hoot to watch, like a Chinese version of the Three Stooges, and they have a lot of chemistry together: You really get the sense that they’re old buddies who were drafted together and are trying to make the best of it. Also, although he is only a minor character, the Emperor of China demonstrates the sort of quiet dignity, wisdom and inner strength that you'd imagine him to have, thanks largely to the late Pat Morita's performance as his voice. Morita appears to be channeling a little of his famous role as Mr. Miyagi in the 'Karate Kid' movies into his work as the Emperor's voice here, and it works well.

Most of the songs in ‘Mulan’ are awesome, too. “Reflections” is quite pretty, and conveys the inner struggle that Mulan is going through. The marching song “A Girl Worth Fighting For” has funny lyrics and a quite catchy melody, I could imagine everyone involved in that song having a lot of fun making it. Best of all, though, is unquestionably the training song “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” There is so much intensity and strength to this song, you’d never guess it was Donny Osmond of all people singing it. It makes for easily one of the best “Training Montage” scenes I can ever recall seeing in any film.

As for Scriptural messages that can be found in ‘Mulan,’ one I discussed in my devotional passed out at the screening was comparing Mulan’s struggles with the Huns to David’s facing Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45- 50.

Another Scriptural message I can think of is on integrity, living out our true inner natures. The song “Reflections” is all about Mulan struggling with the fact that he can’t do well in the assignments and gender roles she has been given, and that the person she sees in the mirror (The role she takes to fit into her society) isn’t a reflection of her true inner self. Her attempting to put on the facade of a man doesn't work well, either. It's when she's honest and relies on her own gifts and true nature that she manages to shine and do great things. This is a struggle that we as Christians face all the time. We know that we need to be honest with ourselves and not try to put on false fronts to mislead people about who we truly are, and especially not about our faith. We should be consistent in how we act, so that our outer conduct is a good reflection of our inner selves and the role the Lord plays in shaping our hearts. In Matthew 23:27- 28, Jesus called out the corrupt Pharisees who were not doing this. He points out that they "Outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." May we all strive to avoid living in such a way, but rather, let how we act be a reflection of who we truly are inside.
I'd say another important lesson to take from 'Mulan' is on selflessness. A key scene is near the film's climax, when Mulan believes she has failed. Mushu comes clean to her that he wasn't actually sent by her ancestors, that he was just hoping to impress them so he could get his old job back, and says "You risked your life to help the people you love. I risked your life to help myself. At least you had good intentions." Mulan retains that selfless nature as she then learns that the Emperor's life and the freedom of all China are in danger, and wastes no time in again putting her own life on the line to do what's right and save a nation. One of my favorite verses of Scripture, Philippians 2:3-4, reminds us as believers to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking out for your own interests but each of you to the interests of others." As followers of Jesus, we need to make a point of always trying to act in the best interests of others, putting their needs ahead of our own immediate, selfish desires. In this way, we can model the true servant's heart that Jesus showed when He came down to Earth and died for us all.
So, there we have 'Mulan,' a wonderful movie that helps us learn to root for underdogs, put others' needs ahead of our own, and live with honor and integrity that reflects our true inner selves.
That's it for this edition of the Nightcrawler Experience. Come back next week as I take a look at the next movie they'll be showing. Until then, God bless you all!

Tests of a Believer: A Faith- Based Look at 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.'

Hi everyone, welcome back to the Nightcrawler Experience!
I've been working on this entry for quite a while, things have been pretty crazy for me.
First up, let me say that this entry is dedicated to the memory of two friends of mine who both passed from this world and into the embrace of Jesus in the last few months: John Knapp, and Joseph "Teak" Black. While on the one hand they were quite different (John lived in Polk County while Teak lived in Collier County, John was 54 when he passed while Teak was just a few weeks shy of 23), they had a lot in common too. Both were good, honorable men who I'm proud to have called my friends, both did a lot of good for their respective churches (I remember John playing Santa at the Lake Alfred youth group's Christmas parties and helping with the youth group in a lot of other ways for quite a while, and going with Teak on the Cat Island missions trips for the North Naples church, with the kids there nicknaming him "Fanta" due to his fondness for the soda), and both will be deeply missed by all who knew them, myself included. Rest in peace, guys. I know I'll be seeing you both in Heaven some day, but for now, this one's for you.

I recently happened to catch on TV one of my all- time favorite films: 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.'

In case any of you haven't seen it yet (Shame on you), here's a brief rundown:
In 1938, archaeology professor and adventurer extraordinaire Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr. (Harrison Ford) is informed by a wealthy antiquarian that new clues have recently been discovered which reveal that, not only does the legendary Holy Grail (The cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper, believed to have mystical powers of healing/ revitalization that can extend into immortality) actually exist, but that its location is on the verge of being found. Indy learns that his father (Sean Connery), who had been researching the Grail and attempting to discover it all his life, recently disappeared while in pursuit of it. On top of all that, he learns that the Nazis are in hot pursuit of the Grail as well, and that there's no telling who he can trust. Indy rescues his father, and the pair slowly reconcile from their past frosty relationship as all involved parties grow closer to the temple where the Grail is hidden, and a truly unforgettable climax.

While my list of my all- time favorite movies tends to vary a lot, 'Last Crusade' is always in at least my top 10, as well as being easily my favorite of the Indiana Jones films. It nails every note perfectly for an Indiana Jones film: The action sequences are brilliant, there's loads of humor, the environments are diverse (From deserts to Vienna to the heart of Nazi- run Germany to the temple where the Grail is hidden, with many in between) and gorgeously presented, the characters are all great, and it bests the other films in the series with how much heart and emotional depth it can have, between seeing the relationship between Indy and his father, learning more of Indy's backstory through a great opening in which we see Indy as a teen, and the poignancy of the Holy Grail being discovered.
One of the best parts of the movie is unquestionably Sir Sean Connery's performance as Indy's father, Professor Henry Jones Sr.. When thinking of great Connery roles, this is pretty much always the first that comes to mind for me. Nearly all of the movie's most memorable lines, either in a comedic sense, or in a serious, insightful sense, are spoken by him. A few examples:
(When he and Indy have snuck into a Nazi book- burning to retrieve his journal that can lead them to the Grail) "Well, boy, we're pilgrims in an unholy land."
(When a Nazi officer viciously asks him what his journal filled with his notes about the Grail tells him that it cannot tell any of them) "It tells me, sir, that goose- stepping morons such as yourself should try *reading* books instead of *burning* them!"
(After having destroyed an enemy jet by scaring a large flock of birds so they fly into the plane, causing it to crash) "I suddenly remembered my Charlemagne: 'Let my armies be the rocks, and the trees, and the birds in the sky.'"

The theological messages seen in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' are pretty much off the charts, especially in the last 15 minutes or so of the movie, beginning when everyone gets to the temple where the Grail is hidden. Indy must find the Grail quickly, as his father has been mortally wounded and only the Grail's regenerative power can save him. To get to the Grail, Indy must pass through three tests, each containing a potentially- lethal booby trap which ties in some way to an important element of the Christian walk:
First, is the Breath of God: A person seeking the Grail would feel a heavy wind passing through the thick cobwebs of a narrow passage, then have to quickly kneel in a prayer- like pose to avoid being decapitated by a pair of huge circular blades. This test symbolizes the virtue of humility, due to the necessity of bowing/ kneeling to keep from losing one's head and its clue suggesting that "Only the penitent man will pass." Humility is an incredibly important Christian virtue to possess, not thinking too much of ourselves and instead submitting to God. Many verses in the Bible deal with the subject. For just one example, Proverbs 18:12 says that "Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." We must all try to keep pride and self- promotion under control, and act in humble, gentle ways to live out our faith.
The next test is the Word of God: Here, there are a series of lettered tiles on the floor. A seeker of the Grail would have to step on the right tiles to spell out the name of God, Jehovah (Or, in its original Latin spelling, "Iehova"), as stepping on a wrong tile could cause the seeker to plunge through it and fall into a deep chasm. I believe this test symbolizes knowledge. The seeker must have enough of a knowledge of and respect for God, especially through study of God's Word, the Bible, to be able to know Him by name and proceed after Him. Indy himself points this out in this scene, as while trying to figure out how to proceed, he says to himself, "Proceed in the footsteps of the Word." God's Word is filled with instructions for believers to gain more knowledge, especially in the book of Proverbs. For instance, Proverbs 18:15 points out that "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out." We should all strive, through study of Scripture and of good Christian devotionals and commentaries, to learn more about the faith we follow, and thus deepen our knowledge of the nature of God.
 The third test is the Path of God: The seeker must make a leap of faith across a vast canyon, to land on a hidden camouflaged path. This test, of course, symbolizes faith. I don't need to tell you how important faith is to the Christian walk. One verse that shows this is Hebrews 11:6, which states that "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Also, 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "For we walk by faith, not by sight." I believe this second verse is especially relevant for this section of the film, as the camouflaged path ensures the seeker acts through faith rather than through what their eyes tell them about their surroundings. We must believe and trust in the Lord, that He is who He says He is, and live out lives that are driven by our faith in Him.

Even after all that, though, upon arriving in the room with the Grail, Indy finds there is one final test: The entire room is filled with Grails of all different shapes and sizes and styles, and the ancient knight who had guarded the Grail for centuries informs Indy that only one of them is the true Holy Grail, and that while drinking from it will grant life, drinking from any of the fake Grails will cause instant death. The villain Donovan enters shortly after Indy, and picks one of the potential Grails: A beautiful golden chalice, inlaid with jewels, which he refers to as "Truly a cup worthy of the King of Kings." However, upon drinking from this chalice, it becomes clear that it was one of the false Grails, and Donovan dies horribly from it. Indy, then, picks more carefully. Examining the potential Grails, he finds a small, simple- looking clay cup without any kind of adornment, and states that, "That's the cup of a carpenter." Sure enough, upon Indy drinking from it, the simple clay cup turns out to be the true Holy Grail. I believe that this final test symbolized the vital difference between knowing OF Jesus, and truly knowing Him. Kyle Idleman, in his book 'Not a Fan,' differentiated between the two by referring to them as "Fans" and "Followers," respectively. One can learn head- facts about Jesus, even go to church and do "Christian things," and still not actually know Him due to having never truly accepted Him into their hearts. Jesus spoke about such people in Matthew 15:8-9: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." The Lord seeks those who don't just perform religious acts and know facts about Him, but who actively seek after Him and put their whole trust in Him as their Savior and Lord.

I'd say another important message to be taken from 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' is on the importance of valuing and protecting that which is sacred, not letting it be profaned or exploited. Donovan and the Nazis in 'Last Crusade' are much like the other villains in the 'Indiana Jones' films: They see priceless, sacred artifacts and vessels, and desire them not for spiritual enlightenment, but as a prize to be exploited and profit from (In the case of Donovan, rather than being interested in the Grail for the fact that it was the cup that the Son of God drank from, all he cares about is the immortality it can offer to those who continually drink from it). In contrast, Indy, his father, and the other heroic characters in the film series realize that such objects are sacred, and meant to be protected from falling into the hands of those who would exploit them, especially people as corrupt and degenerate as Donovan, the Nazis, and the other baddies in the series. Many of the most righteous of people in Scriptures felt the same way about what is sacred. It's why King David was so happy to reclaim the Ark of the Covenant from the invaders who had stolen it that, when he brought the Ark back to Israel in 2 Samuel 6, he did so through a grand parade with himself wildly dancing with joy at the front of the line! It's also why Jesus cast out the moneychangers from the temple in Matthew 21:12- 13, because he recognized that the temple was a holy place which shouldn't be profaned by corrupt merchants seeking to turn it into basically a glorified strip- mall. We too, as Christians, need to know that things associated with our faith are sacred. They should be treated with reverence, not cheapened or exploited for inappropriate purposes.
So, there we have 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade': A magnificent film which can teach us great principles to grow in our faith and help us find the greatest treasure of all; The gift of peace in life and eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
That's all for this edition of the Nightcrawler Experience. Keep your eyes peeled, I'm working on a series of new entries now which should be out VERY soon.
Until then, God bless you all!