Batman v Superman (Part 3 - Legacy/Conclusion)

In September, I began sharing my thoughts on the film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (as per usual, I’m now going to shorten it to “BvS”).  Today I want to give my final thoughts on this maligned film.  One of the criticisms of “BvS” is how Batman (Ben Affleck) murders.  It’s true that he does, but it’s a mistake to presume that it’s the end of his story.  There’s more to his character development.  In fact, I submit to you that Affleck’s Batman leaves this legacy: no matter how dark the path they may be on, a man or woman can change.  Let me unpack this.

Batman misunderstood Superman (Henry Cavill), and this gross miscalculation drove him down a dark path.  For 18 months, Batman had bitterness, seething anger, and increased violence.  So much so, he actually came within an inch of taking the life of Superman with a kryptonite spear.  He was so deluded that he thought doing this was a service to humanity.  However, when Superman mentioned that Martha was going to die, Batman saw that he was wrong; Superman wasn’t the villain as he had thought he was. 

By the way, unfortunately I can only hit and run on this, but the controversial “Martha” scene in “BvS” is one that probably could have been executed a little bit better.  But the change of heart is not simply because Clark and Bruce both have a mother named Martha!  Whatever your opinion on the scene, the result is Batman ultimately fights alongside Superman.  Moreover, as a gesture of friendship, he promises Superman that he will save Martha.  And in a dazzling scene (one of my favorite scenes of the film), Batman singlehandedly fights off probably 30 men, and rescues Martha. 

At the film’s end, Superman selflessly died to save the lives of humanity, including the lives of Batman and Wonder Woman.  This was the only course of action; only Superman was capable of this heroic act to save the world – a clear picture of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.  This picture was completed in 2017’s “Justice League” when Superman returned from the dead.  And it was Superman’s influence that had changed Batman.  One example of this is when Batman visits an incarcerated Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg).

Speaking of Lex, while Eisenberg’s performance as Luthor in “BvS” receives a lot of criticism, I think Eisenberg is a lot of fun to watch in this role.  He is brilliant, calculating, and manipulative.  Interestingly, the dialogue also suggests that this is actually Lex Luthor Jr (like father, like son).  Anyway, Batman confronts Lex in jail.  Luthor is sure that Bats will use a branding iron on his neck, just as he had done to other criminals earlier in the film, but this time, he doesn’t.  His transformation is further evidenced by his concern for life in subsequent films in this cinematic universe.  For example, in 2016’s “Suicide Squad” Batman saves Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) from drowning, even though she essentially thanks him by turning around and trying to kill him.

Let me conclude with a fascinating contrast.  There’s another live action presentation of a Batman that went down on a dark path.  In 2019, the CW presented an epic crossover event titled “Crisis on Infinite Earths”.  In part 2 of this saga, we were treated to Kevin Conroy playing an aged Bruce Wayne, only able to move around with the help of an exoskeleton suit.  Batwoman and Supergirl travel to his Earth (referred to as Earth-99) to recruit him, but in a stunning development, it is revealed that this Bruce Wayne was far from honorable (spoiler alert).  This Bruce, by his own admission, murdered without remorse or guilt.  In his consuming hatred of all things Kryptonian, he tried (unsuccessfully) to murder Supergirl.

As a result of the fight, the Bruce of that alternate Earth died.  His last words to Batwoman were: “There is no hope.”  Shout-out to the talented Kevin Conroy here (I confess I’m still in grief over Kevin’s death); he was chilling as a hardened villain, rather than a noble hero.  Conversely, Ben Affleck’s Batman – his cinematic legacy as I see it – showed us the truth: there is always hope.  Christmas will quickly be here.  As November of 2023 ends in a matter of hours, I want to conclude my thoughts on “BvS” by saying there is hope for you and for me today, no matter what – because of Jesus.      

God bless,

Kevin             

Thanksgiving Day reflections, 2023

I wanted to take a moment to express a heartfelt “Happy Thanksgiving” to you.  Psalm 136:3 says, “Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.”  I’m so grateful to the Lord for the incredible blessings He has given.  I’m thankful for family and friends; I’m thankful for eyes that can see, ears that can hear, and a mouth that can speak.  I’m thankful for a beating heart, health, and the opportunity to enjoy another day (this year has reinforced the idea that every day is truly a gift that should not be taken for granted).  But most of all, I’m so grateful for my personal relationship with the God of the universe.

You say, “I appreciate your unbridled positivity, but I’m not feeling that way.  I’m feeling miserable.”  I get it.  2023 has been incredibly difficult for me; it seemingly has been just one thing after another.  Just so you know, I’ve had times this year where I’ve felt weighed down with fear, anxiety, sadness, frustration, and heartache.  In those moments, how thankful I was for the hope, help, peace, and safety found in Jesus!  Proverbs 18:10 states, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it, and are safe.”

Months ago now, I began revisiting the 2016 film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.  Its progress has been much too slow, I admit it.  But I haven’t forgotten about it.  For today, I bring it up because I’ve re-reading Paul Asay’s fine book on Batman titled “God on the Streets of Gotham: What the Big Screen Batman Can Teach us about God and ourselves”.  In chapter 6, Asay writes these words that have helped me; may they help you as well:

“Our faith doesn’t keep us from suffering.  It doesn’t save us from the anguish of losing a parent or child, the pain of losing a job or failing a class.  It doesn’t keep us from the real horrors that life can inflict on us - the abuse, the betrayal, the unimaginable anguish that, for whatever reason, sometimes we have to deal with.  But faith can save us from the mortal blow, the fire that would otherwise consume us.”  In the next section of this chapter, he quotes from an anonymous believer who puts it so well: “Finding God does not mean building a house in a land of no storms, but building a house that no storm can destroy.” 

God bless,

Kevin

Praising God in a very stormy 2023

2023 has been a difficult year.  I’ve documented some of what has occurred: for instance, in August I likened that portion of 2023 to Humpty Dumpty falling off of the wall.  I felt like that storm shattered me into a million pieces.  And, as the rhyme goes, all the king’s horses and men couldn’t put me back together, because as I heard a preacher rightly declare, “Only the King Himself can put Humpty back together.”  That’s what God did for me. 

Then, a few months ago, I was thrown into another massive storm when a sickness put me in the hospital.  After being diagnosed with an ulcer, internal bleeding and anemia, I was thrust, once again, to an intense road of suffering.  Even now, I’m sidelined, and still unable to return my old routine.  As I’ve battled moments of sadness and discouragement during these months, I’ve told myself inwardly a hundred times that there is hope; hope in a great God who has been faithful to me in days past, and to this very day, continues to be.

But, in the midst of all of that, today I find myself reeling from a new episode of stormy weather.  It’s too fresh for me to go into detail now – that’s for another day – but it left me spent and literally shaking.  What do you do when this new development occurs?  I mean, 2023 is already a year I will never forget for the rest of my life, and then to have this new stuff on top of it all.  It leaves me reeling and overwrought.  In the throes of this, I made the choice to look to God in trust, surrender, and worship, even though life hurts.  Such a choice is not easy or automatic.  But it’s as I heard a worship leader declare years ago; he said, “The proper response is worship.”

Someone needs these words.  You find yourself in the midst of a difficult year as well.  It’s been one painful circumstance after another.  And you find yourself weary, fearful, and despairing; wondering what’s next.  There is hope for you today.  The Bible speaks of “lay[ing] hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:18-19).  In context, what is being spoken of here is God’s reliability, faithfulness, and trustworthiness.  Back in August I quoted these great words from Superman: “Even in the darkest times, hope cuts through.  Hope is the light that lifts us out of darkness.”  That’s my prayer for anyone who reads this content today.

Back in June of this year, Brandon Lake released his powerful song, “Praise You Anywhere.”  It begins this way: “Sometimes you’ve got to dance through the darkness, sing through fire, praise when it don’t make sense.  Sometimes you’ve got to stare down the giant, worship from the lion’s den…I’ll praise You anywhere.  Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise, in the highest.  Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise, in the highest.  He is worthy, yes, He is worthy of all of the praise.”  And then there’s this stanza: “Faithful all my life, blessings day and night, countless reasons why I’ll praise You anywhere.  Every promise kept, goodness every step, each and every breath, I’ll praise You anywhere.”

God bless,

Kevin