Optimus

As you might have guessed by the entry's title or the picture to the left, I've watched Transformers a few times recently. I posted something a few months ago about the gospel-like elements of my favourite movie, Gladiator, in this post. As can be easily discerned (from the English term "optimal"), "Optimus" is directly Latin and means "best," and it is clear that Optimus Prime is the hero of the series. After all, it is befitting that a true hero (if embodied and hidden in the body of an automobile) would be naturally revealed as a Semi! Yeah, that was pretty cheesy and perhaps this whole post is, but I love some of the lines he offers and his overall disposition in the comic book series and the movie. Here are some key points:

OP: "Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That is how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony. But like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war. A war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death..."

OP: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You all know there's only one way to end this war: we must destroy the Cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest."
Ratchet: "That's suicide! The Cube is raw power; it could destroy you both!"
OP: "A necessary sacrifice to bring peace to this planet."

Megatron (to OP): "You still fight for the weak. That is why you lose!"

OP: "Taking the children was a BAD move! Autobots, relieve them of their weapons!"

Those were from the movie and you can go here for several other quotables from other productions of the Transformers series. And here's what wikipedia says about him: "Optimus Prime is depicted as a heroic, brave and compassionate character who puts all his talent to use to improve the world around him. Optimus has a strong sense of justice and righteousness, and has dedicated himself to the protection of all life, particularly the inhabitants of Earth; he will battle his foes with unyielding resolve to uphold this belief." In addition, he often has an extreme reluctance to combat except in cases where human life is in grave danger.

Something about that line from Megatron that Optimus' demise is because he fights for the weak reminds me of not only One who has fought for the weak human race, but also what our role is in improving the world around us, maintaining a keen sense of "justice and righteousness" and protecting life, even the so-called "weakest" of its sample.

Pax!