Mr. Incredible: the man who got his life back
Posted on May 5, 2005
Filed Under Generally Spiritual (few if any geek references) | Leave a Comment
“Honey, where’s my Super Suit?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“Tell me where my super suit is, woman!”
I love that scene. Those of you who neither have children nor possess the mental state of one, are probably lost right now. I have both, so allow me to elucidate: the quotes above are from a scene in the movie “The Incredibles” when Mr. Incredible’s friend Frozone is desperate to get in on the action and help out in saving the city from a giant, menacing robot. But first, he needs his super suit. Apparently he is helpless without it– or so he seems to think. It’s one of the many super hero gags in the movie.
Why do I love the movie “The Incredibles” so much? Let me see, where in the world to I begin? How about the fact that Mr. Incredible gets sued for saving someone who didn’t want to be saved? How about the Super Hero Relocation Program whose aim is to assimilate super heroes into normal life? Or the cubicle Purgatory that Bob (Mr. Incredible) is consigned to by day and the family feuds he endures by night? How about his living in the past or his lame attempts to relive some of his glory by listening to the police scanner with Frozone and then rushing out to help and yet not get recognized as super heroes? How about the really good family values he and his wife display? They have problems, but you don’t ever doubt their commitment to each other.
What I like the most, though is the pilgrimage that Mr. Incredible goes on. “Pilgrimage?” you ask. Oh, yeah. In every good story the main character goes on a spiritual pilgrimage. In the really good ones, several characters go on pilgrimages. Take the Lord of the Rings, for example. Ah, no, on second thought I better save that one for another time.
Let’s map out The Life Cycle of a Super Hero:
1. Something stirs within him. The community needs his help.
2. He tries to help the community but in the process he pulls a really bad move.
3. In time, the community rejects him and doesn’t want his help.
4. Note that at this point in his career he lives by the motto “I work alone.” That approach costs him dearly.
5. Thwarted in his mission, he drifts into a loser dead end under achiever job that doesn’t use his gift and sucks the life out of him. But at least his life is low key, comfortable, predictable, safe, normal, very far removed from all of the action of the good old days–and boring. Down inside he feels worthless.
6. During this time he settles down, gets married and starts a family. And a normal, steady life is good for the family too, right? Sort of.
7. Events set in motion by his blunder of long ago lead to his very life being threatened.
8. Amazingly, his life being threatened becomes a catalyst for giving him new life. He gets back in the game.
9. Restored to his mission, he comes back to the community that rejected him.
10. Note that getting back in the game means returning to life threatening situations.
11. Getting back in the game puts his family at risk too.
12. Putting his family at risk actually strengthens them as individuals and as a family. Everyone has a mission and life and purpose–and togetherness!
13. He delivers the community from a desperate situation. He delivers on a scale that he probably never dared dream of in the good old days.
14. By the way, when he comes back he is no longer working alone.
15. This time the community welcomes him with open arms.
16. This time he does it right and the results are, well, Incredible!
17. He even gets a new look in the process.
That, in summary, is the story of Mr. Incredible.
Hmmm. something’s very familiar about that list. Read through that list again and tell me if Mr. Incredible’s journey doesn’t remind you of someone else. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
doot doot doot doot. Doot doot doot. Doot doot doot doot DOOT dedoot-doot-doot-doot-doot
Sorry, I was just humming the Jeopardy theme, trying to kill time while you re-read the list.
Give up? Don’t you see the parallel between Mr. Incredible and someone else? I’ll give you a hint; it’s someone from the Bible. No, not Jesus! For one thing, always going for the Jesus answer is too obvious. Besides, point 3 notes that the person blundered.
It came to me like a flash the other night that Mr. Incredible has a lot in common with Moses. Seriously, he does. Perhaps that’s why the story resonated so deeply with me. Go through that list again and this time, think about Moses’ life. See if I’m not right.
And I am right– for I have a little secret to tell you. That list? Its not really a list of Mr. I’s life, it actually is a list of the key events in Moses’ life. Take the “I work alone” part. Moses certainly tried that when he killed an Egyptian.
Then there was the time when God sent him back; not only was Aaron at his side, but soon Israel’s elders, and the tribes… and let’s not forget Joshua. BTW: point 17 — Moses’ “new look” was his shining face, of course!
What did the movie “The Incredibles” have to say about life? Oh, lots of things, like
1. Don’t lose sight of your mission in life.
2. If you do lose sight of your mission, there is hope! God will get you back in the game.
3. Missions are dangerous but in them is life.
4. Your family matters.
5. A family mission does not threaten the kids, it gives them a place and a purpose. It gives them life too!
6, Trials are God’s way of putting life into you not taking life out of you.
7. Never take on the motto: I work alone.
8. It’s not enough to be a “super,” you have to have smarts too.
9. No capes! (translation: don’t go for the flashy or flamboyant, just do the job.)
10. Above all else, if you are ever followed around by a boy named Buddy who says he is your biggest fan, do yourself a favor: treat him with respect. By all means, treat him with respect.
What do I like the about Moses’ life? A lot, but I especially the part where he gets back to his purpose in life.
PS: I wonder if Pharaoh was wearing a cape when he tried to cross the Red Sea?
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