Jesus: "I'll be back."

Harry Potter
Frodo Baggins
Major Reisman
Luke Skywalker
John Connor
Spock
Jamal Walker
Walt Kowalski
Larry Daley
Harry Stamper
Batman
Superman
Optimus Prime

and… Charlie Brown

What do all of these seemingly unrelated characters have in common?
According to Koslovic’s model, all of the above fictional heroes represent a Jesus figure within film. I think this odd, mismatched group of heroes helps to illustrate the dangers associated with Koslovic’s list of Christ-like characteristics. Important questions are raised because of this…

What is added by having a Christ-figure? Does it change the overall experience of watching a movie? What is achieved by having a Christ-like protagonist? In many cases are characters intentionally created to embody Christ? Or has Koslovic just come up with such an exhaustive list of characteristics that any character can fit the mold?

I believe that Koslovic’s list is excessive and inapplicable. It places characters like Charlie Brown and Luke Skywalker on the same dimension in terms of Christ-likeness. Although they may have similar attributes, one is more of a Christ figure than the other. I think that by having a list like this, the ability and aim of finding Christ figures in film is actually devalued because almost every infamous hero fits into his model. Although at times there is an intentional effort to shape a character to fit this Christ-like image, I feel like most of the time it may be done unintentionally. Because Koslovic’s model allows both these groups of protagonists to fall within the same category, the effect of having a Christ figure is lost.

Take a look at the following video of a MadTV skit.

I think this is a funny portrayal of the contrast between Jesus himself and the so-called Christ figure, John Connor. The issue of labeling someone like John Connor “Christ-like” is powerfully demonstrated when Jesus simply says “You cannot go around killing people. It’s against God’s commandments.” How well does Connor demonstrate "Christ-likeness"?

In addition, what is the overall objective of being able to identify all of these Christ figures in film? While it is important in some cases, I really did not ever consider someone (or should I say ‘something’) like Optimus Prime to be a Christ figure until Koslovic’s model was applied. Did it help the Transformers franchise? Most likely not. Did it draw in more of an audience? It is doubtful. So then if we go out of our way to use this list of characteristics, almost every contemporary hero would embody Jesus in some way. This takes away from actual Christ-like figures in film.

While there most definitely are Christ figures that have been intentionally used in movies, I do not believe that every famous hero in film belongs in that category as Koslovic’s model allows.