Life and Death

So I saw Elektra last night. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, given the number of critics who hated it. It wasn't a great movie or anything, but I was entertained for a while. It really had nothing to do with Daredevil (the movie to which this is a spin-off)...the movie barely even explains how Elektra died and came back to life. A flashback sorta says "oh, by the way, I was dead and this guy can bring people back to life, so he did." I guess that makes sense, because most people didn't like Daredevil. It also seems to be a confused movie...it doesn't know if it's a drama, or a Kill Bill-like action movie, or a super hero comic movie. Whatever. It was still fun. I recommend renting it.

On a related note, I think that resurrection kinda ruins movies. If people are just free to come back to life, then there is no justified fear of death. Let's face it...a lot of movies revolve around people avoiding death, dealing with death, or dying. Remove that, and there isn't much dramatic stuff that can happen. If we (and when I say "we" I'm being very general and referring to all humans) ever invent a pill that brings people back to life, then I think storytelling will become a lot more boring. If your favourite character dies during the season finale of a TV show, it won't be all that exciting...you know that their friend will just give them the magic resurrection pill at the beginning of next season, and all will be back to normal.

The only real drama that can be created is if there is a shortage of pills. Every movie will have to take place on a deserted island where everyone forgot their pills. Or there's only one pill left, and everyone fights over it to protect themselves from death...but ironically, many people die fighting over the pill, and only one can be brought back to life! Actually, that sounds like a pretty cool premise for a story.

Never mind what I said. I'm gonna go write a novel now.

P.S. Can dead people swallow pills? Discuss.

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