13 March 2011
Dear World,
I will never understand your fascination with apocalyptic stories or films. In the midsts of watching Battle: LA, I had one request in mind: Staff Sergent, please hand me a gun so I take myself out. No more, please. Enough.
We’ve all seen it before: movies depicting horrific alien invaders attempting to colonize Earth, blasting the crap out of any human in sight. There’s the scruffy military guys and gals, clad in camouflage with guns and amo strapped to every inch of their worn out arms, legs, thighs, waists, whatever. With sweat on their brow some cower in fear as they are cornered by this unknown enemy, while others become heroes, rescuing civilians, all of them trying to overcome the odds to survive.
Seriously, if some large alien invaders had guns coming out of their arms, paired with endless bullets and dead-on shooting accuracy, they would have zero trouble killing a lone soldier.
Consider the cast of characters. These movies usually focus on a solitary, usually emotionless main character, trying to find redemption or forgiveness for a past event. More than often, they're trying to establish a new identity, with motivation stemmed from a disturbing past. They just want to make things right. For Battle: LA, we have Aaron Eckhart’s character, who was rumored to have left his men for dead during some previous military mission. He defies our expectations to lead a new crew through the alien bitch attack, and miraculously, most of them survive, ignore the hot showers and deliciously warm breakfasts, only to immediately restock their weaponry and rush out to pwn some more alien n00bz. Flyyy those copters. "LETZ TAKE BACK LA! YEEE" WHOOP WHOOP!
PLEASE. The storyline offered little resolution to calm and satisfy this audience member. Sure, they found a way to take out the enemy, but can they really chase them away? Is there REALLY hope for mankind? I want answers, not more questions. It was obvious from the beginning and previews how the typical storyline expectation of the human race surviving and being victorious would be the format of the movie. There was the coursework of building action and anticipation, along with the attempt to establish a sympathetic connection to the civillians and soliders, deaths, etc. The ultimate letdown of the conclusion made me want to toss the popcorn in the air and scream, “WHAT THE FUCK!?”
I felt cheated.
I have deviated from the topic. Back to the main point, these movies are formulaic. They follow a specific format. It's a fucking template with specific rules, like how children can't ever die, even when dead bodies are flying all over the place. My point is that people are fascinated by this end of the world bullshit because they want an escape from their lives. Believing that things can suddenly end brings them peace. Maybe they won't have to do the whole 9-5 job thing anymore. Instead, they can run around a wrecked city in a chaotic frenzy with lasers being shot at their butts. Throw your hands up in the airrr! It's a PARTAAAYY! Much better, right? Or knowing that their shitty problems can disappear in an instant. No more debts. Banks, SUCK IT! New start, to the max!!!
It's a fascination with the primitive instinct to act and survive. To have the adrenaline rush while sitting on the couch, munching on salty, buttery popcorn. It's the childish fantasy to be part of the badass group with guns, grenades, and rifles, with missels launching in every direction. It's knowing the world won't really end, but you can get worked up over it while thinking it might.
I'll talk about 2012 predictions another day.