I love NIMH 2 - Thorn Valley Forum Archive

shivermetimbers

22-07-2011 15:31:12

Over these past few weeks, I've spent some amount of free time on NIMH related work. These include reading the novel, looking at various fan-work, and finally watching the critically acclaimed Secret of NIMH 2.

Those who would dare bemoan such a masterful piece of art like NIMH 2 no doubt have trouble deciphering its most grand subtleties. The whole film is an allegory about misreading scripture. For those who don't know, the name Nicodemus originally originated from the New Testament. He was one who believed Jesus to be a savior, just like Nicodemus viewed Jonathan as a savior. Thus, Nicodemus believed Jonathan Brisby to be the son of God who will one day save the rats once again.

Unfortunately, the rats misread this and thought that the son of the son of God would be their new lord and savior. They picked the meekest of the two sons (Timothy) to be their new savior. I was reminded of the not-so-well-received "Citizen Kane," wherein Charles Foster Kane was taken away from his childhood home to pursue his destiny.

Jeremy posing as the Great Owl is a metaphor for usury, obviously. Very well done if I may say so.

Then there's evil Martin. They chose the best possible voice actor and I don't say that because Eric Idle sounds funny when he sings or that he's British. I say it because he was in another film dealing with a false savior: "Monty Python's Life of Brian." In both films he tells the false savior to lighten up and get over the fact that you're not the messiah even though you're being pressured into being one.

Unfortunately, Timothy doesn't die in the end;I say this not because he was an annoying character that I would wish painful things upon. I say it because it would've taught the rats a lesson about....something. Okay, maybe it was because I wanted to see him die, horribly....and slowly.

Okay...Okay......In all seriousness I enjoyed it because it was cheezy good fun and for Eric Idle.