ON CARING ABOUT FICTIONAL CHARACTERS:

I went to see the movie "Max Payne" last night. And I'll be honest, I didn't care for it. The story seemed okay, but kind of...stale.

One online reviewer opined that it's because the movie was based on a video game, and that video games (in general) aren't conducive to building the kind of bond between audience and fictional character. And I think that USED to be the case - "Ooh, I care so much about the plane raiding this river!" - I think the trend is going the other way, now that games can be more in-depth.

This doesn't apply to every game, or to every person, obviously. Some people really felt for Solid Snake in the Metal Gear series, but the emotion I felt most during the scenes was impatience, as it seemed that the cinema scenes dragged. Others have identified with the characters in games like Final Fantasy - possibly due to having to spend SO MUCH TIME with the character that you can't help but care what happens to them, pixels and all. For me, the game was Fable (the original - the sequel came out this week, and I am waiting for Christmas). You can make choices in the game, determining whether your character is good or evil - symbolized by a halo or horns on your characters head. And I played through it as "good" the first time. The second time - several months later - I was determined to be evil. But one part of the story - and again, I was very committed to being evil at this point - you are given the choice of killing your sister or setting her free. And I felt TERRIBLE about killing her (although I still did it). I got caught up in the story. Exactly the opposite of "Max Payne."

In addition, the show "How I Met Your Mother" has hooked me. I identify with the main character for a variety of reasons, but this week...another character broke his heart and I was SCREAMING at the TV, calling her un-reprintable names. This is the second time I've called a character names like that (once during an episode of "Lost"), and yes, it is mildly embarrassing to admit, but I'm emotionally invested. What can I say? Again, the opposite of "Max Payne."

I guess this would be a tiny response to people who believe they are better because they don't own a TV or play games. I realize there are other ways to occupy time, but if a story is well-told, should the medium matter?

And if it wasn't clear, don't go see "Max Payne." Blerg.