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They make you get to know a character, their vulnerabilities, their strengths. They make you grow to love them throughout the course of a film and then BAM! They take them out. The character turns into a martyr for the cause of the little people. It's a social commentary, I think. Fantasy films employ the use of self sacrifice perfectly, giving the movie realism, life and purpose.

When you think of self-sacrifice what's the first thing you think of? Admit it. Jesus. Yeah. He died for our sins... just like Gandalf died for Frodo. Wait. I know know what you're thinking and before you get offended or confused...think about it! Christ died to save the souls of mankind and later rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. Gandalf the Grey sacrificed himself in Moria to help mankind and was later, that's right...RESURRECTED. The similarities between Gandalf and Jesus are many but...not too many.

In the harry potter films there is so much self sacrifice, most of the characters seem suicidal rather than loving or generous. Harry is constantly willing to risk his life for others, regardless of his lack of talent and skill and most of his friends seem quick to follow his lead. I guess it shows the bond they have between them or perhaps it simply shows the bizarre death fetish that J.K. Rowling feels fit to present in her children's books. Shame on you rowling, I've had nightmares.

If you knew a giant talking lion, you would fall in love with him and cry your heart out when he was sacrificed to further a plot, too. In the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan the lion(king) was taken by enemies, bound to a rock and slain. It was a real tearjerker. But Asalan's death had the predictable effect of giving his armies the confidence to charge into battle and brutally slaughter their enemies. For the record, Asalan came back to life later which really really sort of lessens the impact of his death y'know?

If fantasy films have taught us anything it is that our lives are like so much ants to the hill that is our causes. We live to fulfill a role, and once we find a purpose, we die.

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