The movie for this week is Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). The movie runs 1hr and 56 min and is rated PG. It can be purchased or rented HERE. I think this was one of the best animated movies of the year. It is about how a young high-schooler has to fill in the shoes of the original Spider-man. Along the way he has to conquer his tentativeness, find his real role models, and become a role-model himself.
There are a few things to be aware of when watching this movie as it was not strictly designed to be a family movie. There is violence and mild language, (the worst of which is "crap"). But the thing in the movie to be most wary of is the idea of alternate dimensions and realities. As Catholics, we do not believe in alternate realities and dimensions where different versions of ourselves made different choices. We believe in 1 soul, and one reality for the choices we make. Of course, the theory behind it is interesting to explore people's choices and actions in a fantasy setting. This is fine in itself, unfortunately, this theory of multiple universes has now been getting some traction as a reality amongst the scientific community under the umbrella of "string theory". As such, the idea of multiple universes has bled out into pop-culture and has become a sort of superstition amongst some people about why their life is the way it is. Ultimately, I don't think its that big of a deal to be in this movie, but I thought it important to let you know, just to reaffirm the idea with your kids that there is only one universe.
1. What kind of role model was Miles' father to him. What about his uncle Aaron? Who does Miles feel closer to at the beginning of the movie? The end of the movie?
2. In the original Spiderman movies/comic books, the message that is repeated is, "with great power comes great responsibility". How did the original universe's spiderman respond to that charge? How did the alternate dimension Peter Parker live up to that challenge? What became of the original Spiderman's life for taking on the challenge of responsibility? The alternate dimensions one? Who was happier?
3. Peter Parker is miserable with himself because he has made his life diminished because he runs away from responsibility? In what ways did he avoid responsibility? When presented with another opportunity to give his life purpose and be Miles' Spider-mentor, does he willingly accept this responsibility? How does Aunt may react when she sees the alternate version of her nephew?
(A: He didn't want to have a kid, he didn't want to be Spiderman... all the way to he didn't even want to keep his room clean or keep in shape. It's a good place to talk about how shirking and failing small responsibilities now will not change when the responsibilities become greater).
4. Miles is frustrated with his father at the beginning of the movie. Why? His father tells him to not hang out with Uncle Aaron, his brother, and tells Miles that he doesn't approve of Spiderman, who is his hero. His father just wants what's best for him, but Miles finds all this restrictive. I think the most telling and emotional line in the movie is from the father who finishes his talk with his silent son: "I love you... you don't have to say it back though". Why does God reveal himself to us as a "Father"? How is the Father''s love for his child similar to God's love for us?
5. Reflect on how the following Bible verses relate to the movie:
James 1:19
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
1 Corithians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
6. The movie talks a lot about a "leap of faith". What parts of our lives do we need a leap of faith? What prevents us from taking that leap (uncertainty/fear). Sometimes we can hit the ground hard on a leap of faith, does this discourage you? Sometimes we want to be in control of our own lives, but this means living smaller than we are capable of, what is the leap of faith needed to stop being in control and letting God take control?
