Hello Bookworms!
Alright, I haven't yet finished the Silmarillian, it could be a while. However, for Christmas-or more specifically the first full day of winter-I am addressing something that my sister brought up. It can be generalized as one simple question: What defines a Christmas movie? From that question, my sister claims that her favorite Christmas movie is Marvel's Iron Man 3. I shall endeavor to explain why she thinks so; also, I would like to get several opinions on whether she is right. Mainly, I would like to ask you the question: What is a Christmas movie?
Before I get started, I would like to agree with my sister: Iron Man 3 is a Christmas movie. However, I will let you come to your own conclusions. I won't be able to thoroughly delve into it, but I shall do my best to explain the main points.
SPOILERS!!!! If you haven't watched Iron Man 3 and you don't want spoilers, Don't Read Yet!
Starting with simple easy requirements which need no explaining. Snow: Check. Presents: Check. Christmas time: Check. Tree: Check.
I have two main points, first of all, Christmas spirit. As I am unaware what most people define as Christmas spirit, I am forced to resort to my definition: something which captures the essence of Christmas and all that it means. For me, Iron Man 3 does just that. For me, Christmas is: sentiment being appreciated when the gift isn't, feeling like no one understands what is really happening and what you see as important, people from your past who you really don't like, flames and destruction, erupting into fits of anger, feeling like the day will never end; ah yes, Christmas. For those of you who don't have an explosive Christmas, be glad.
My second point is that, while the specific details of the plot are unique, there are underlying story arcs from a story which is commonly agreed to be a Christmas story: A Christmas Carol. (I'm not sure who first noticed it, I heard it from my sister, and she heard it somewhere else) Tony is pretty obviously Scrooge, and instead of not appreciating Christmas and being stingy about money, he doesn't appreciate those around him and is focused on his suits instead of Pepper and Happy, among others. There are two ghosts of Christmas past; Mia, who is the 'ghost' of his past opportunities, and the young kid, who is the 'ghost' of tony when he was young: an unappreciated genius whose father wasn't there for him. The ghost of Christmas present is, strangely enough, the Mandarin, acting as simply a jolly old fellow who likes to drink and party, and doesn't have much in the way of wit. The Ghost of Christmas future is Killian, who shows Tony what his life would be like without the people whom he cares about, and inadvertently making Tony realize what he really had. "You're wrong, she was already perfect"(Tony, battle on the ship). Finally, Tony uses the suits which had been for himself, to help others, and is also willing to give them up.
So, this is my explanation of why Iron Man 3 is not only a Christmas movie, but also my favorite Christmas movie. Please let me know what you think in the comments, and I would love to hear what your favorite Christmas movies are. Habent sua fata libelli!
