Grace in Failing

You have probably realized by now I like to write about things that make me excited, especially when I don't have any real life stories to share. (And I've have a lack of those and pictures to share recently.) Today, however, I am torn. I have two blogs I could write, and I might write both. Actually, I probably will. My dilemma: writing about the new Avengers film or about paid family leave: Superhero movie vs. actual societal problem. Let's go with Avengers.

Avengers: Age of Ultron is currently the biggest movie in America, and I think the world. I saw it over the weekend. I loved it. And, yes, there were problems. But it was still good. Marvel and Joss Whedon have been catching a lot of flack for some of those faults. And yes, there are legitimate criticisms. The lack of Black Widow merchandise for one. It's sad that I now am more surprised when I see Black Widow on the plethora of Avengers products than when I don't. And honestly, she's probably the best. Also, where is my Black Widow movie?

I'm going to try to avoid spoilers, so I am going to avoid some of the more controversial parts of the movie, but, suffice to say, I think a complex view, thorough understanding of the characters is needed and simply condemning the entire franchise, and every one who is a part of it, is wrong and unfair. I'm not apologizing for a lack of female characters, just that we shouldn't be so quick to judge.

I loved the music. What makes a movie, most often for me, is the music. There were a lot of musical callbacks to earlier Marvel films which help tie the universe together. I also liked the cinematography. And the dialogue.

There are a few lines that stand out. One of my favorites in these movies is Captain America/Steve Rogers. In the first Captain America movie, he says, "I don't like bullies; I don't care where they're from." Which, honestly, is a fantastic line. In this film, he says, "Every time someone tries to stop a war before it starts, innocent people die. Every time." Again, fantastic. We get to see a superhero who cares about collateral damage and he is not OK with it. Captain America is an idealist who only knows war. He knows that to win battles, teamwork is necessary, which everyone but Stark seems to mostly get. Rogers knows the Avengers need to prove themselves. This is why, I believe, early in the movie Thor's hammer almost moves for him--he is almost worthy.

One of the other lines I love is said late in the movie, in one of the final confrontations:


"Humans are odd. They think order and chaos are somehow opposites and try to control what won't be. But there is grace in their failings. I think you missed that."
"They're doomed!"
"Yes... but a thing isn't beautiful because it lasts..."


Many times in life we try to hold onto things we love and find beautiful; we try to order our lives to make sense of the chaos of the universe. Change needs to be accepted although it is hard. I admit, I am not very good with change. Disorder is difficult. Honestly. Life is hard but that doesn't mean it isn't beautiful. The idea of grace in failing calls to a humanist understanding of the world. E. O. Wilson said, "If those committed to the quest fail, they will be forgiven. When lost, they will find another way. The moral imperative of humanism is the endeavor alone, whether successful or not, provided the effort is honorable and failure memorable."

Avengers: Age of Ultron is about superheroes regaining their humanity. While there are explosions and fights, there is also a battle raging for their souls. And, when they've won the physical battle--war really--against the villain, they still are fighting for their souls, their humanity.


******Spoiler Alert*********


I wanted to include this earlier, but, you know, spoiler alert. While Thor's hammer moves slightly for Steve Rogers, The Vision is able to  pick it up. Although young, he can lift the hammer because he believes in humanity and finds grace in failure. This may also be the case for Rogers, and maybe he can lift the hammer as well. I don't know, I've not thought most of this through past this point.