Part 2 - Perfect Society

   The antagonist has a very clear aim in the film - to create the perfect society. A society free from corruption, evil and sin. A society filled with love, goodwill and peace. As brutal as the High Evolutionary is, can you blame him?

   Cruelty and misery plague the world today, and the examples are innumerable. Tensions rise between China and Taiwan, conflicts prevail in Gaza and Ukraine, starvation is omnipresent in parts of Africa. Poverty, gender discrimination, sexual assault, murder, cancer - all these plights and several more scourge us all. Everyone is suffering through something. If anything, this world is trash. 

   “There is no God, that is why I stepped in”.

   Indeed a memorable line uttered by the High Evolutionary, it made me wonder if perhaps he was right to create new populations. Populations that are healthy and caring, intelligent and empathetic. In a galaxy fraught with the aforementioned issues, it wouldn’t be so bad to have at least one planet that was actually perfect.

   Yet, again. Is such a utopia worth creating at the expense of dignity and humanity? 

   In the long run, it could be seen as a wonderful feat. Personally, I’d look up to a society like that to some extent. But I look around me, at the society I’m in. Yes, it is horrendous. But among heaps of trash, one may find treasure. 

   Netizens continuously support peace and prosperity, condemning the wars that plague Gaza and Ukraine. Food and aid from countries like Singapore and Rwanda have been sent to both places to support the lives of the innocent people suffering there. Organisations, such as the Ethiopian Red Cross and the World Food Programme, are donating meals to those who lack access to them. The #MeToo movement has constantly raised awareness against sexual violence, and women empowerment is increasing worldwide, thanks to organisations like the UN Women and Global Fund for Women. The list goes on! 

   I absolutely adore how the movie got us thinking about our flawed world. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on all that we are doing wrong, and appreciate our efforts in correcting our wrongdoings. This society is imperfect, but that is okay, because we undoubtedly try our best.

   I also appreciate how the movie shows that it is impossible to achieve an ideal world, because no matter how hard you try, there are always going to be shortcomings. This is most evident when the Guardians visit the High Evolutionary’s man-made world, and Star-Lord notices some of the inhabitants selling drugs and fighting in alleyways. I think it just emphasises that fallibility is inherent in higher life forms. No amount of science can alter that. And like I said, it’s okay! We try our best!

   All in all, if you like action and sci-fi films embedded with heartfelt, reflective stories, Guardians of the Galaxy is for you!