Heroes

I recently bought the movie Spiderman 3. I didn't get to see it in the theater, and I liked the first 2, so I figured "what the heck?" It was great! I'm a sci fi/fantasy nut, and superhero movies fit into those genres somewhere. It got me thinking about superhero movies in general~ there have been a lot made in the last few years, and they've been popular (with few exceptions). But why have they been so popular?

It seems like every time I read or watch the news that the world is in constant chaos and evil deeds abound. Sometimes it seems hopeless and that very little good happens. The world could use a few heroes like Spiderman or Superman to help save us regular mortals from ourselves.

And that's why I think superhero movies are popular these days. They give us someone to put our hope in, even if it's just for 2 hours and 13 minutes. We get to escape into a world where people are saved by those stronger than us, people who try to do the right things, people who put others before themselves.

While I do love watching superheros kicking butt and taking names later, I DO know real-life heroes. Like my mom, who raised 7 of us by herself. Or my DH who, in his Air Force job, does tasks not related to his training. Just because he loves our country. There are plenty of others I know who would bend over backward to help if you blow a tire on your car or lose your kid at Wal-Mart. I choose to believe that most people "out there" are basically good, hardworking people trying to do the right thing in this crazy world. I have seen too much to believe otherwise.