April 14, 2007 3:31 PM
Meet the Robinsons
Took the kids to see this last weekend at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg - a sweet old-timey movie house which reopened a few years ago after many years of disuse. The owner is a Judy Wilson, a Christian who has made it a practice to show only family-friendly movies. There is some connection through local movie stars, however, and so even though it is a small and very modest theater - unlike the big multiplex in Sterling - it surprisingly gets first-run movies.
I LOVED Meet the Robinsons.
Though I'm not one to like "fluff" and the fast paced cleverness had me wondering early on whether this would just turn out to be like the Teacups Ride at Disneyland - a quick spin that left me a little dizzy but not necessarily wanting to try it again - I eventually found a message so moving that I had tears in my eyes at the end.
This is a movie about family, which may sound odd since it's centered around an orphan. If you are familiar with the picture book, you'll be surprised at the back-story the writers have created for all the eccentric characters and the substantive theme: Keep Moving Forward.
What the writers have created is a spiritual lesson that all of us need to learn - and without any hint of religiosity. I don't want to spoil it for you, but the contrast between how Lewis - who was abandoned as a baby and who has remained unwanted - and his orphan roomie Goob deal with disappointment is powerful message without words on how responsible each of us is for our own fate.
Our choice to respond to disappointment and hurt by becoming bitter or by deciding to "Keep Moving Forward" determines and shapes who we become. The nurture/nature question is fascinating, but as someone who rose above terrible odds myself, I'm pretty heavy on the side of personal responsibility.
The beautiful life that Lewis eventually finds is affirmation that people who let go of bitterness and self-pity can achieve amazing things. I found the theme reminiscent of my favorite Old Testament story - Joseph, who realized that in spite of the rejection and treachery in his early life, God had used every single thing to accomplish something remarkably good. Since becoming a Christian, like Joseph I've felt strongly that I would never go back and change any of the hardship or evil done to me in my early life because I'm so comfortable and happy with who I am today. Thanks be to God that he can take such muck and grow something beautiful from it!
Does this all sound very heavy for a G-rated Disney flick? It's not. I was just amazed that such a powerful lesson could be taught in a bright and fun vehicle. Since I strongly believe in the power of movies to shape our thinking - and because I think children can absorb important concepts before they are capable of abstract thought through the medium of stories - I can't recommend this movie highly enough.
Another big plus - the first movie I've seen in ages without a single attempt to get a laugh from coarse humor. And a G-rated movie that will appeal to all generations.
My highest recommendation!
Posted in Loudoun County, Movies | Permalink
Comments
I loved it. I don't see many movies but I went to see this with my mother, sisters, and niece. I also cried at the end, and I'm not really much of a crier.
Posted by: Amy K. | April 14, 2007 7:10 PM
I really liked this movie too. I didn't have high hopes for it, but it surprised me. I thought it had an outstanding message.
~Leslie
Posted by: Leslie | April 14, 2007 10:30 PM
This was such an awesome movie! It was just hilarious and the story was great. :)
Posted by: Michelle Potter | April 15, 2007 1:02 PM
Hi Barbara,
I've been enjoying your blog after meeting you at Mt. Hermon and hearing you talk about blogging. I, too, took my kids to see "Meet the Robinsons" and felt it was an outstanding movie! Great story, great humor, great life lessons! I totally agree with your review. :)
Posted by: Kari Brodin | April 15, 2007 9:43 PM
