Subverting the Modern "Sympathetic" Vampire in Media

[Peter_J]

Right. Good points. I guess I am thinking of a lot of the animated movies coming out in the last 10 or 15 years. You have Shrek where the ogre is the main character and the “damsel in distress” is really more ogre than damsel.

You just reminded me of something … when Shrek came out, there was a Catholic review that was really, really negative. Anyone remember that?

 

[Sarcelle]

As they say sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

The above quote is from Arthur C. Clarke.

 

[Joe_5859]

My theory is that it’s because we’ve realized we’ve been lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that appearances and a certain skillset somehow belie a moral alignment. Unfortunately, it’s that kind of tragic naivety that lead to the clerical sex abuse of children. I’d dare say many religious people are so enthralled by the trappings of light even though it’s long known that Satan can put on a halo too.

Satan dressing himself up as an angel is hardly only meant to be as a metaphor for the sympathetic monster. Remember the oh-so-blind fanaticism which drove Christians to slaughter with the barbarity and single-mindedness of the modern terrorist. They thought their cause was holy… regardless of their means.

That’s a good theory. I’d say the general theme of not demonizing others for being different is a good lesson to pass on.

 

[Joe_5859]

You just reminded me of something … when Shrek came out, there was a Catholic review that was really, really negative. Anyone remember that?

No, I don’t remember that. Now I’m curious, though.