My father and I recently went to see Top Gun: Maverick in theaters. We had both seen the movie in theaters already, but we enjoyed the story so much that we wanted to experience it together. We're not the only ones - this new movie has been an incredible hit. Both times that I saw the film, I left the theater with a smile. For the first time in a long time, I felt satisfied by a movie. In fact, I felt more than satisfied. I felt inspired. What made this movie different from others?
To answer that question, I think we have to ask another question: why are other movies not satisfying? There seems to be a general dissatisfaction with recent movies, and I've heard a variety of reasons as to why. Some say that movies are too politicized. Others argue that the heroes are too strong and the villains are too weak. And some might even say that special effects have become a crutch for poor acting. All of these may be valid criticisms, but I believe they are symptoms of the root cause. The problem with mainstream movies lies much deeper and can be summed up in one word: relativism.
Relativism is the idea that truth does not have a universal definition. Merriam-Webster's primary definition of relativism is, "a theory that knowledge is relative to the limited nature of the mind and the conditions of knowing," but I think the secondary definition hits closer to home, "a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them." In a relativist view, truth and morals can be flexible to our preferences, and our preferences need not conform to any particular standard.
How did this way of thinking ruin movies? Relativism destroys the heart of good movies: storytelling. Effective, compelling storytelling needs to revolve around a conflict of values. There must be a choice or a challenge that the hero faces so that he can uphold goodness, beauty, and truth against the villain who embodies evil, ugliness, and deceit. Perhaps the protagonist's main enemy is himself, so he must learn to transform his ways and overcome the evil within him. Or maybe the protagonist must choose between pursuits of two valuable things like a successful career and a relationship with his family. Importantly, the hero of the story must start by failing. Through the hero's initial failure and ultimate success, we discover - and feel inspired to become - who we ought to be.
But relativism throws a monkey wrench into this business of storytelling. If anything can mean anything, then in the end, everything means nothing in particular. Definitions of good and evil become subject to societal whims. We cannot make bold claims about what is valuable because ultimate value does not exist. Heroes do not need to change because we cannot call any trait or practice "bad". I have seen films where the protagonists lie, cheat, steal, and kill indiscriminately, and I wonder, why am I supposed to care about them since they are no different from their enemies?
I think what makes Top Gun: Maverick special is the fact that it really tells a story. Three of the main characters, Maverick, Rooster, and Hangman, face choices and challenges that test them. Maverick must learn how to teach and to trust; Rooster must learn to forgive; Hangman must learn to think of others as more important than himself. All of them fail, and understandably so, at the beginning. They fail not only because of their choices but because of their beliefs that led them to make those choices. By the end of the film - well, I won't spoil it. All I will say is that I hope Hollywood takes note of this movie's success, and perhaps in the future, we can always walk out of the theater with a smile.
Image credit: Devon Breen from Pixabay