So I started my week and a half long Spring Break, now with self-quarantine thanks to the one and only Covid-19. That’s fine with me– I’ve had lots of time to watch some movies. By “some movies,” I mean a lot of movies. Like, all the Marvel films watched in order of the timeline. This means I’ve watched a lot of villain-beating, army-destroying, cool-one-liner-ing, and general superhero moments. The Marvel universe kicks off with one Steve Rogers, and I ended my cinematic binge with Endgame, perhaps one of the most emotionally-packed films I’ve ever seen in my entire life. (And I saw Up.) I decided to sum up what I learned from watching all these movies; yes, it was an educational experience.
From Captain America– get back up. Stand up again and again to fight for what you believe in. Even if that thing defies 117 countries and the Sokovia Accords– do it. Have your friends’ backs, and trust that they will have yours. And, that even when it seems you have sacrificed everything, there will be a way to get it back.
From Captain Marvel– you don’t have to prove anything to anybody. If someone is taunting you and trying to get in your head, refuse to let them use your weakness. Shoot them with a light-blasty-thing. Also, if something is standing between you and a victory, blast through it and destroy that obstacle like its made of paper. Refuse to take no for an answer.
From Iron Man– use your resources when it seems like you have nothing. Be confident in your knowledge and use it to do what is right. Stay persistent till you figure out the problem and solve it, even if that means destroying ten of your fancy-shmancy cars. And, its possible to change, even in your adult years. You can have it all if you play your cards right.
From Black Widow- the mistakes of the past do not define you in the present. Accept people’s second chances and use them to better yourself. Find comfort and security in your family, whatever that may look like. Even if you weren’t bit by a radioactive spider or have lasers that shoot out of your hands, you can still do a lot of damage with some martial arts and cool spy skills.
From Thor– how you look outward does not determine your worthiness. Family can betray you, but give them a chance to prove themselves. Do not rush forward into a fight; instead, take the time, listen to your team, then figure out the issue and deal with it together.
From the Guardians– don’t take yourself too seriously. I mean, come on; this is the guy who saved the universe with a dance-off. Talk about bs-ing your way through life.
To conclude: thank you, Stan Lee, for creating an unimaginable universe for us to view and enjoy. These characters are a part of our lives; they’ve taught us a lot. I can’t wait to see what else we’re going to learn in the next few years from them.
