X-Men 2 And Religion
This is a continuation of the conversation started back here. Riddle me this: X-Men 2 is supposedly anti-Islam because William Stryker (the bad guy) is shown wearing an Islamic ring. If thats the case, then was the original X-Men movie anti-Semitic since the bad guy (Magneto) was a Jew? I didn't think so.
In fact, there are 3 religious characters so far in the 2 X-Men movies:
Nightcrawler (Catholic) - Attacks the President
Magneto (Jewish) - Wants to kill all humans
Stryker (Islamic) - Wants to kill all mutants.
Somehow, that doesn't seem so anti-Islamic. In fact, Magneto and Nightcrawler's religion was made very clear in he movies - yet you really needed to know what you were looking for to see Stryker's religious affiliation. If its anti-anything, the X-Men movies are anti-religion in general - not specifically aimed at Islam.
Some may claim that in the case of Nightcrawler, his religion is is an integral part of his character, thus its mention is acceptable. And I'd agree. But then, using that logic, how do we find the inclusion of Magneto's religion acceptable? Its not part of his motivation - he is, after all, going to kill all the Jews along with all the other humans. His religion is just another factoid about his character. It doesn't reveal anything about him, and it doesn't enhance his character. Its just ... there. Like Stryker's ring.
In fact, there are 3 religious characters so far in the 2 X-Men movies:
Nightcrawler (Catholic) - Attacks the President
Magneto (Jewish) - Wants to kill all humans
Stryker (Islamic) - Wants to kill all mutants.
Somehow, that doesn't seem so anti-Islamic. In fact, Magneto and Nightcrawler's religion was made very clear in he movies - yet you really needed to know what you were looking for to see Stryker's religious affiliation. If its anti-anything, the X-Men movies are anti-religion in general - not specifically aimed at Islam.
Some may claim that in the case of Nightcrawler, his religion is is an integral part of his character, thus its mention is acceptable. And I'd agree. But then, using that logic, how do we find the inclusion of Magneto's religion acceptable? Its not part of his motivation - he is, after all, going to kill all the Jews along with all the other humans. His religion is just another factoid about his character. It doesn't reveal anything about him, and it doesn't enhance his character. Its just ... there. Like Stryker's ring.
# | May 12, 2003