Hollywood Heroes: How Your Favorite Movies Reveal God

by Frank Turek, Zach Turek

Seven fictional stories―Captain America, Iron Man, Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Batman, and Wonder Woman―point us to the ultimate hero, Jesus Christ.
Think about it. What if Batman knew your name and wanted to be friends with you? What if you were the one that Tony Stark died to save? What if it was you that Luke Skywalker would stop at nothing to redeem? Hollywood Heroes will awaken you to these questions and help you to see a God who stops at nothing to redeem you. And it will strengthen you to invite others into conversations of faith and life in Jesus.

Fictional stories about heroes help us realize that there is evil to fight, souls to be won, and growth to be achieved. It helps us recognize―regardless of religious or cultural beliefs―that sacrificing your life for another’s is a powerful and beautiful display of love.

Fictional heroes help us to reconsider what is tangibly in front of us through the lens of story rather than simply as just another day in our ordinary lives. Appealing straight to the heart, the stories bypass artificial barriers that we would normally block them with because our worldview has been threatened.

When we examine out-of-this-world qualities like idealism, genius, a willingness to sacrifice, discipline, loyalty, humility, courage, wisdom, focus, power, and love, we discover that Jesus practices them perfectly.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Cultural, Religion, Audiobook, Spirituality

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2022

About the author

"Frank Turek is an American Christian author, Christian Apologist and public speaker at universities, conferences, and churches. He is the author of two books, Correct, Not Politically Correct and Stealing from God, and co-author of two more with Norman Geisler, I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist and Legislating Morality. He hosts a call-in talk show called CrossExamined on American Family Radio. His television show, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, airs on the NRB Network.

Turek is a former aviator in the U.S. Navy, and has a Masters degree in Public Administration from George Washington University and a doctorate in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. He has also taught classes in Leadership and Management at George Washington University."

-- Wikipedia

Reviews

[Rachel Grepke · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I have to say, I am not a big fan of "superhero movies." Yes, I have seen several that he mentioned, but its never been my go genre to for a film. That being stated, this book takes you through multiple famous films and how they "show" us Christ. Some were more obvious than others and it did make me want to go back and rewatch a few of them. Many movies depict Christianity in big and little ways. Sometimes in moments we do not even realize. This book is fun, faith filled and just plain enjoyable. Written with a hint of hilarity and fun, it is an all around good book. One of Frank's best!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate where the authors were trying to go with this book, but, although they made some great points , it was a stretch to make the parallels between Jesus and the different fictional characters. Making it work felt forced and the comparisons were sometimes uncomfortable. We definitely got something out of this book, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Abby Varner · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Hollywood Heros, it talks about how the story of the bible is shown throughout different movies, It mentions some of the most famous movies such as Captain America and Harry Potter. I'm not sure if the author has any other books but I would be glad to read them if she did! This book is very eye-opening and helped me notice some parts of these movies that I've never noticed before. Sometimes it could be boring because I'm not into much non-fiction but it was definitely a great small-group book. I would probably only recommend this book to people with a lot of time because sometimes it felt very long and tedious, but other than that I think everyone should open their eyes to this book.

[Lauren Terwilliger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fascinating overview of the larger themes of Christianity in popular superhero movies. I was familiar with all of the characters before reading this book but have not watched enough of the associated movies to fully flesh out the storyline because of my preferences for other movie genres. However, after reading this book, I have a newfound appreciation for (and interest in) watching these movies and discovering the storylines within that point to the real superhero that none others come close to - Jesus Christ!

[Addison Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a great reference for any movie fan—or even those who watch movies every once in a while.

In “Hollywood Heroes,” I learned more about these movies and their characters than I ever knew. Iron Man’s character development, the message of love in Harry Potter, the theme in Star Wars about redemption, etc. These films portray more than meets the eye.

I recommend this book for everyone.

[Patti Valenti]

I really loved this book but if you choose audio beware: the guy yells the book at you. It was very hard to relax and listen 😂 I understand he was excited but phew that was rough.

Favorite line of the book: “ The happily ever after that, we are all searching for, is within our grasp, because of Jesus, the ultimate hero exists in our world.”

[Lyra Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're both a Christian and a nerd, like I am, you will love this book. Some of the characters, like Harry Potter and the Marvel characters, I knew very well, and others I wasn't super familiar with. Even with the characters I didn't know, though, it was cool to see all the Biblical parallels.

Read my full review here: https://lyrat16.wixsite.com/read-it-a...

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and very interesting. So grateful for Frank Turek and his work.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 stars!
I realized a while ago that most popular movies had the recurring theme of a world plagued by evil and a savior (or saviors) who would eventually deliver the world. I wondered if this demonstrated that humanity unconsciously recognizes that there is evil in the world that can only be defeated by the work of a savior on our behalf.

I admire Frank Turek and his ministry (cross-examined), so when I heard he was working on a book on this subject, I was extremely interested.

In Hollywood Heroes, Six fictional stories are used to demonstrate how popular films convey so much about our human nature, our fallen world, and our need for a savior.
Frank and Zach Turek have written a novel that is both engaging and entertaining. It was easy to read, and I believe it would be an excellent book for parents to read with their teenagers. I also believe it is incredibly helpful in equipping us to share the faith with others through pop culture.

If you love superhero movies or movies in general, I guarantee you will like this book!
Even if you're not a big movie buff, I think you'd enjoy this book.

*I received this book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review*

[Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Frank Turek has done it again!! This time, with the help of his son Zach, they have been able to present a well written and practical book, where the conclusion is inevitable, God exists.

You wouldn't think, by the title of the book, "Hollywood Heroes", but as you read through it, we discover that the amazing ability and success that comes from Hollywood, rides on the back of the bible, and the attributes of God spread out amongst some of our favorite characters. While no single character encompasses all of the attributes of God, this book has made me realize, that even when we look to characters like Superman as gods of their universe, they only resemble God in the way that we resemble God, thus making the Supermans of our favorite stories, just that, super-men, and more like us; limited beings that even in their greatness, sometimes their biggest strengths can serve as their biggest weaknesses, imperfect, and nothing like God.

From some of the best universes like Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, and the like, there is a never ending battle between good and evil. Filled with selfless sacrifice, not just for their loved ones, but even for their enemies, in this, they are very much like God. The love God showed through His Son, Jesus, is constantly imitated in Hollywood, making those stories some of the best, yet remaining unmatched.

This book goes into greater detail, dissecting some of the most iconic dialogue and scenes of these blockbuster franchises and how they depict biblical values. Though many have been unintentional in basing their stories on a Judeo-Christian worldview, some have been intentional. Lord of the Rings is one and Harry Potter is another. JK Rowling, author of the latter has recently admitted as much. In a recent quote, after admitting that she withheld telling people about some of the theological implications so that where the story was leading would not be spoiled for fans, she says, "They’re very British books, so on a very practical note Harry was going to find biblical quotations on tombstones,” Rowling explained. “[But] I think those two particular quotations he finds on the tombstones at Godric’s Hollow, they sum up — they almost epitomize the whole series.”

All this to say, READ THIS BOOK!! Especially if you are a fan of Hollywood and/or superheroes.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read If You Easily Forget The Plot Of Simple Blockbuster Movies, Because You're Going To Be Told Their Entire Plot Even Though You Remember It Entirely

It was good.

The author, Turek, had a good heart.
I did not need the full retellings of the movies.
I just wanted to learn how they relate to the Bible.

In fact, I found this book a little fanboyish.
It had good meaning, but it was a little too Disney-fanboy for me!

Finally, he was like, "the most-like-Jesus character ever portrayed in a film is..." and I was like oooo, this is going to be good. I wasn't sure who it was going to be, but I certainly was not expecting, nor did I think what Frank was going to name - Harry Potter. Yeah, that came out of left field. Especially how a few Christians I know renounce that series.

3.2/5

[Michael Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good.

I've always been a fan of books like The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Harry Potter, so I was familiar with many of the Christian themes in those books from previous studies I've done. However, this book helped me see the Gospel in a new light as I read the chapters on movies I had yet to see like Captain America and Wonder Woman. My experience reading this book must have been the experience that early Anglo-Saxons had when they first heard the epic poem "The Dream of the Rood", a poem that bridges the gap between the Old Pagan North and Christianity, between Odin, the All-Father, hanging on the tree Yggdrasil and rising again, and the Cross of Christ. This is a book that every Christian needs to read; it will arm you with conversation topics to turn unbelieving friends and family to consider the Gospel.

[Tim Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the audiobook of this early as part of a pre-order deal, so I had the privilege of getting to listen to Hollywood Heroes early.

This book takes some popular Hollywood movies and looks at them through a Christian lens and tries to pull "sermon illustrations" from these stories. Turek does a fantastic job at relating Christ to these very secular storylines and showing how we can see Christ in these heroes.

I especially enjoyed the Harry Potter section of this book since it is one of my favorite stories. Turek discusses the battle of good vs. evil as well as the death and resurrection story that is built up throughout the story.

This book is another fantastic resource created by Turek and recommend it to anyone who likes the stories discussed in this book.

[Joel Furches · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subject of movies and Hollywood has become rather tumultuous in recent years, but not long ago, people were very excited about each new movie that was going to be released, and fanhoods were popping up all over to discuss theories of what would happen next, and themes being carried over from movie to movie.
It was during this brief period of overwhelming enthusiasm for movie franchises that Frank Turek and his son Zach published their book Hollywood Heroes. The book explores the universal themes that attract viewer enthusiasm, are relatable to real life struggles and triumphs, have carried across millennia of storytelling, and inspire audiences to be more resilient and heroic in their own lives. Of course, being Christian, the two authors relate these themes directly to their own faith and especially focus on the Christ symbolism within these films. The authors select seven heroes from popular franchises before using the final chapter to tie these characters into the Christ figure archetype. Some examples of the archetypes included follow:
Captain America – The first hero selected by the authors for analysis is Captain America from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Captain America (Steve Rogers) begins as a relatable character, due to his lack of strength and the bullying he receives as a result. However, he is a character to which many might aspire due to his unflagging desire to stand up for what is right, even at the cost of self-sacrifice (throwing himself on a grenade, for instance). Unlike most characters in the MCU, he experiences no moral character arc, but rather remains the same, self-sacrificing upstanding person throughout the series. Instead, his arc of development has to do with going from weakness to power via the super-soldier project. The authors point out that, whereas most men would be corrupted by suddenly gaining power, Steve Rogers simply uses his newfound power to enact his moral virtues, protecting others and delivering justice. The other development Rogers experiences throughout his story arc is having to deal with the culture shock of coming from the 1940s and waking up in the 2010s. He has to determine how to maintain his values in a changed world and under new, unfamiliar threats.
Iron Man – The next character selected by the authors is also from the MCU, and reflects the opposite side of the coin from Captain America. Unlike Stever Rogers, Tony Stark (Iron Man) does undergo a rather severe moral development. Over the course of the movies he transforms from a self-absorbed, arrogant arms dealer to a self-sacrificing, humbled leader, and all without losing the wit or intelligence that made him Iron Man to begin with. The authors explore this moral arc and how some of the lessons learned along the way might apply to the reader.
Harry Potter – Leaving the MCU, the authors next step into the novels and movies of celebrated author J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter is a classic example of the ancient “chosen one” motif in fiction and mythology. He is a person from humble origins who discovers that the has a greater purpose and destiny that only he can fulfill. In this respect, the authors consider him to be a Christ-figure, and they draw out that conclusion with arguments and examples from the books and movies. Some of these examples include the prophecies which preceded Potters’ entry into the Wizarding World, his voluntary sacrifice of his life to protect others, and his eventual resurrection. Perhaps most importantly for the authors was the central theme of love being the overcoming power in his story.
Star Wars – Transitioning from an exploration of individual characters, the authors next begin to explore an entire universe – literally. In the Star Wars franchise, the authors explore the themes of religion in George Lucas’ concept of “the force,” and the very classical themes of good versus evil in these films. Notably, the side of the good requires mastery of one’s emotions and impulses as well as self-discipline, whereas the evil side requires one to give in to one’s emotional impulses, greed, selfishness, and a total loss of discipline.
The authors look at the force through the eyes of a skeptic – Han Solo – who eventually becomes a believer once he has personally witnessed the force in action. Then the authors look at the cycle of fall and redemption in the story of Anakin Skywalker.

After this, the authors also explore themes in Lord of the Rings, Batman, and Wonder Woman. The Wonder Woman chapter is especially interesting, because she is an unconventional hero. Unlike the many heroes whose story involves self-sacrifice and aggression, Wonder Woman is a hero who conquerors through love and compassion, making it a standout chapter in the book.
Altogether, Hollywood Heroes is a fascinating exploration of what makes characters attractive and archetypical, and how they speak to human themes. Of course, this book was written by Christians whose thesis is that the Jesus of the Bible is the ultimate convalescence of all positive archetypes (an argument they develop in the final chapter). Or, as C. S. Lewis put it, “Christ is the true myth.” For readers interested in exploring the connection between Jesus and Hollywood archetypes, this will be a treat. For those who find such things unpleasant, the first portion of the book is not too aggressively evangelical, and the development of the themes is still worth the price of admission.

[Jason Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Hollywood Heroes, Frank Turek and his son Zach take a look at a number of pop cultural icons and look at what makes them unique and appealing in the culture we are in. Characters/films covered include Captain America, Iron Man, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Batman and Wonder Woman.

If it were just that, it might be an interesting book for a lot of people. What they do next, however, is reveal how these characters reflect aspects of Christ and/or Christian values and how those of us who attempt to follow Christ can look at these characters and the films they are in and be strengthened in our faith and/or our walk, despite living in a culture which is increasingly anti-Christian.

It's an interesting concept for a book because there are SO many things that are "hidden in plain sight" which aspects of these characters reflect Christ. Yes, even in Harry Potter (which was almost shocking, honestly). Having been an avid watcher of all these franchises and a follower of Christ, it was great to see these aspects highlighted. They then take it to the next level in an apologetics sense for those people who might loosely consider themselves "Christian" without really knowing what that means.

In my opinion, this would be a great book for middle-school youth groups to read through over summer and then have discussions about. Also, for parents who are trying to instill Christian values, but who are wary of the Hollywood agenda, this might be a tool that is useful to have discussions with your kids. It's important because if you just ignore the culture and then send your kid out into it once they go off to college, so many of them will be confronted with their lack of understanding of Christ and be more susceptible to the culture they are going into. Having these discussions (or even just reading the book, I would imagine) should have an inoculating effect for them and make them better able to understand their own beliefs and maintain them through challenges.

The book is written in an engaging and conversational style that I think would be easy for anyone in their teenage years to read easily. That said, for the parents out there, like myself, there's quite a few nuggets throughout the book that make it worthwhile as well, especially if you don't have a deep apologetics background. It's also a great introduction for us regarding how we can engage with the culture we live in while maintaining our beliefs and faith without either giving up the war completely and turning our kids over to it, OR blindly ignoring it and thus putting ourselves and kids at risk due to our lack of preparation.

I do wish the Tureks would add in a revised version a chapter which creates a framework for looking at other pop culture properties that aren't covered. How does a Christian parent start the process so that we can get what is good out of these things? How do we go into it in such a way that we can then have these discussions with our kids that will put them in a better place with Christ and be stronger in their faith. What about some bad examples where things might look superficially good, but really undermine Christian faith or set us up for bad ideology?

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wished that big budget blockbusters could be movies about faith? Well, what if some of them are and you’ve just been missing it? In “Hollywood Heroes: How Your Favorite Movies Reveal God,” authors Frank Turek and Zach Turek help you see how movie franchises in the last twenty years have incorporated godly truths into their narratives. Together, you’ll learn about Wonder Woman’s love, Frodo’s weakness, Harry Potter’s sacrifice, and many more heroes who exude Christian themes, all while staying firmly grounded in the only superhero that can give us each of those things and then some: Jesus Christ.

If you love Captain America, Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, and the Avengers franchise, you’ll love how the authors of this book bring expert character analysis and biblical insight to the forefront when breaking down those movies. If you’re more of a Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter fan like myself, you’re in for just as much of a treat! The authors have created a book that is not only entertaining because of the widespread appeal of the movies discussed but also food for the soul with a richly balanced array of Christian topics that seem to encase the essence of Jesus in every way.

I wasn’t all that surprised to see superheroes, The Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars make the cut, but I was very surprised to see just how biblically inspired Harry Potter was. The chapter on Harry Potter described the character as having the most similarities to Jesus Christ, and after reading their explanations of why, I thoroughly agree. Even though I recognized some of the ideas they listed since I have been a fan of the series for years, it wasn’t until they really broke down J.K. Rowling’s quotes, and certain passages in the books, that everything came together. In some ways, I thought the Harry Potter section could be a standalone book, but each section had a lot to offer in terms of new content most people will not have thought of.

I likewise enjoyed learning more about John Favreau who worked on Iron Man and currently writes The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. I also enjoyed that the authors explained how the decisions some superheroes make, like Spider-Man, contrast with what Jesus would teach us to do, and how and why Peter Parker’s decisions hurt him and others. Likewise, how Wonder Woman can be found in a similar situation and choose to sacrifice something she loves for the greater good of all.

I really enjoyed every aspect of this thought-provoking book. There is no shortage of delving into scripture and gaining a deep spiritual insight into the Bible, all while finding ways in which these popular films distort or support these inspired ideals. Every chapter was meticulously thought out and every character was thoroughly analyzed in ways that will truly please anyone who enjoys being intellectually stimulated, spiritually enlightened, and morally entertained.

[Caleb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I feel bad rating this book 2-stars since it's a Christian book, but it really wasn't that great. The concept of the book is quite fascinating, sure, but the execution of the book is just boring most of the time. I'd give it 1-star except for the fact that I was able to get through it, and it wasn't horrendously written. The biggest issue with the book is just how boring it is (for someone who has seen most of the movies discussed). For those of you reading this that haven't read the book, the movies being discussed are as follows: Captain America, Iron Man, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Batman and Wonder Woman (in that order).

Whenever I watch a movie or a tv show or read a book I try to see how it correlates to the Bible anyways, just for fun. Most (if not all) of the points that they make in the book are instantly obvious to an atheist watching any of these movies. A 3rd grader can see how the Lord of the Rings series (books and movies) correlate to The Bible. I mean at least they didn't have a whole chapter on the Chronicles of Narnia or Superman but c'mon! This stuff is all low-hanging fruit. They should've chosen movies that aren't instantly obvious how they symbolize The Bible. But all of these movies are extremely obvious. Don't even get me started on the Star Wars chapter. *sigh*

There is also a bit of blatantly wrong information throughout the book. Both about the movies, the things they're based on and the Biblical references. The Tureks clearly misinterpret pretty common passages of scripture. So basically, I either already knew what they were discussing or thought that what they were saying was just plain wrong.

The last chapter (which was about Jesus) was a bit interesting to be fair (and a lot of the stuff was accurate in that chapter, but not completely (what a shock lol)). Though the most interesting stuff in that chapter was when they started quoting SOMEBODY ELSE'S BOOK! Seriously Frank?

But yeah, anyways, I didn't really like it. I don't recommend it at all. I would suggest you watch these movies and try to figure out for yourself what they symbolize (which, as I said above, a 3rd grader could do).

Also, saying that Harry Potter is the closest fictional character to Jesus EVER is crazy Frank. Just crazy. Bro.

[Megan Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an apologistic view of some top movies series currently. They do a good job questioning and then answering, using scripture, etc. Each chapter ends with a free questions for discussion with family, friends or small group. This will be a great tool for discussing certain good versus evil movies with our kids and showing them parallels to Scripture but there's still only one True God whom we follow. This will also help them (hopefully) as they get older in talk to even unbelievers about God - because they might be able to use some of these movies as common ground to start the conversations.

You don't have to have seen all these movies to get something out of the book. I think I only haven't seen the one series and yet I understood what they were talking about in the chair relating to the movies.

[Another_Book_to_Ponder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This Was a Very Interesting Read!

I’m a huge fan of Star Wars, Marvel and Harry Potter not to mention the other heroes mentioned. I was drawn to this book to to find out how Frank & Zach could even show how any of these movies could relate to christianity, scripture or Jesus. Would this help me to strike up conversations with friends… I was willing to dig in and see!

What did I find? Some of these surprised me a lot! I do feel this book could help to open conversation and ask questions that could ultimately point to Jesus. Definitely worth reading!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley and the author/publisher, for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

Now that was a refreshing book!!!! I'm an absolute Marvel's fan. I like DC but my heart belongs to the MCU Universe. This book totally made me geek out. I love how the author was able to examine the recurring theme of a world plagued by evil and a savior (or saviors) who would eventually deliver the world in the most popular superhero movies from a Christian perspective and show how humanity unconsciously recognizes that there is evil in the world that can only be defeated by the work of a savior on our behalf, sounds like Jesus, right? While the heroes in those movies display many behaviors and character traits that Jesus showed, eventually they all had their flaws. The only perfect superhero is Jesus, but the others, like Captain America, come pretty close. Great book even for non-Christians!

[Esmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both enjoyable and easy to read. I listened to the Audiobook version, but read some parts of the last chapter, in my paperback version. They are both excellent to use.
One of the chapters in the book covers the fictional character Wonder Woman, and her story (from the movie) got me so interested, that I went and watched the movie. I probably wouldn't have watched the movie, if it wasn't for this book (by the way, it's really good.)
I highly recommend reading this book, it gives you so much inside into these fictional characters, and how they ultimately point to the Ultimate Hero: Jesus.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author and how he uses logic and reason to prove God exists. This book is a little different, and more inclined towards comic book and superhero movies, and the premise is intriguing: how can we find God (or elements of Him) in popular superheroes? He includes characters like Batman, Iron Man, Superwoman, and several characters from the Lord of the Rings to elucidate how even popular culture and hollywood reflect God's characteristics and Jesus' selflessness and sacrifice for others.

He makes some fascinating points and i think it's worth reading, if only to have another perspective on not only popular culture and the heroes we create, but also God, and even ourselves.

[Maverek Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of great insights into the world of our favorite movies to show us how our favorite characters show the character of Jesus and wraps up by telling us how Jesus is the ultimate hero who embodies the traits of all these hero’s and much much more.

It would be a great book to go through with kids or young adults that would help them really get into the story of the gospel as well as helping them develop critical thinking skills to help them seek out these characteristics in other characters and people.

[Annalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent! It’s written really well and is very thought provoking. For a nonfiction book it was also really fun! Relating different movies to different aspects of Jesus and the gospel really helped the gospel story to come alive for me in a new way, helping me to see that I’m actually living the best story ever right now. The Ultimate Hero, Jesus, isn’t just a distant figure who saved the world. He’s a personal saviour who loves me (and you) and wants to continue spending time with me forever!!!! Incredible 💕

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It helps that all of the movie franchises (and their books/comics) are some of my favourites. I also appreciated the way the connection was made from these stories to Jesus. The Tureks don't make the claim that these are all allegories of Jesus (they definitely are not) but rather they include images and characteristics that ultimately point toward Jesus. It is nice to see apologists using popular culture rather than condemning it.

[Allegra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the background and analysis of these characters, sometimes pointing to the story arch of the movie while other times looking at character traits and how these reflect how we are all seeking redemption. Beautiful summary of how these stories pale in comparison to the real story of redemption and also a great basis for discussion and good reminder to keep the line of discussion open with our children.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever thought that maybe superheroes and fantasy heroes had some kind of Christ-like attributes about them? Here, Frank Turek discusses several popular fictional heroes from Iron Man to Frodo to Luke Skywalker etc. and their resemblance in characteristics to Jesus. And then his final chapter is why Jesus is real and one of a kind as a hero. Great book making some great points, although he has made many of his points in other books he's written.

[Clayton Keenon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid enough book about a topic I love. But, I listened to the audiobook, which the author read himself, and it was obnoxious. His intensity never changed no matter what he was talking about. IT FELT LIKE HE WAS YELLING THE WHOLE TIME! It was exhausting and distracting. If this book interests you, pick up a text copy. Otherwise, a fun book.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting book if you are a movie buff, but sometimes the character analysis can feel like a bit of a stretch. It might have been better if Turek focused on specific singular movies rather than a collection.

[Deborah Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun reading with some vital life lessons thrown in. This book inspired me to watch the Avengers movies, which I'd never seen. I realize now that I really did miss out by not watching them before. It also pointed out some interesting aspects of other series that I had seen. Well worth the read.