WALL-E - Social Commentary à la Pixar (Disney)
I’m a big movie fan. Unfortunately, there aren’t many really good movies made these days. So when one comes along that promises the big three ““ action, romance and a happy ending ““ I go.
First off, let me say that as the wife of a true blue geek, I’ve seen everything Pixar (Disney) has made. I’ve enjoyed most of it, too. I even enjoyed Wall-E. But I couldn’t help but notice the anti-American/global destroyer/stop before it is too late not-so-hidden message. Am I the only one who got the “ËśAmerica is just one big waste dump waiting to happen’ vibe? Please let me know if you got the same vibe because I’m starting to think I’m like that kid who only sees dead people, except I only see self-righteous lefty-Liberal subliminal messages ““ everywhere.
As I said, I’m a big fan of Pixar(Disney). I still openly weep every time I see Finding Nemo ““ “Ëśjust keep swimming’ is what I sing to myself whenever I see CNN. And who could forget the “Ĺ“Snowglobe”Âť short? But really, do they have to jump on the social commentary bandwagon? Is nothing sacred? Now even cartoons ““ sorry, computer animated feature films - are public service messages?
Why didn’t they just feature the triangle recycling symbol everywhere? Not only would it have added to the irony of the film, but it would have served as a warning to us all. Wait, maybe they did it subliminally. I did notice a statistically irregular number of people cleaning up after themselves in the theatre ““ not me, I spilled an entire extra large bucket of popcorn. (Actually, it was quite Seinfeldesque as I not only spilled it, I fumbled it, sending it skidding down the row, covering everyone’s feet in warm, buttery goodness.)
Apparently, Pixar (Disney)has decided that they are above it all. They are part of that not so rare and highly conspicuous race of west coast enlightened Liberals that find it necessary to lecture the rest of us at every opportunity ““ even when we pay for it. Now I imagine that the facilities at Pixar (Disney) are among the greenest corporate America has to offer, but just to make sure I’d like to see an accounting their carbon footprint. I’d also like to see a bit of moral high ground, but the folks at Pixar (Disney) are not forthcoming. Could it be that they don’t want to tarnish the image of their “Ĺ“love story between two robots”Âť or are they just concerned that maybe we the people will get the excessive consumerism message before we purchase all the collectibles available for purchase at every toy outlet on the continent? Hmmm. Maybe they can use all the profits from the film and merchandise to purchase some carbon credits?
Popularity: 44% [?]
Comment by Dave Allen on 7 July 2008:
I had a different, very philosophical take on Wall-E. Here’s a post I wrote.
http://www.social-cache.com/2008/06/wall-e-conscious-machines-and-a-parable-about-our-potential-extinction
Comment by WallyH on 11 July 2008:
Anti-American? Really? The underlying message of this movie, at least in my opinion, is simply respect the world in which you live, and consider the long term consequences of collective wastefulness and carelessness. Would it be considered “American” to litter at will? To carelessly waste food and energy? To not consider what impact you have on your surroundings? I consider myself patriotic and therefore take these things very seriously- not because I’m a “self-righteous lefty-liberal” but because I am a conservative- which among other things, means I conserve. And Is it really so terrible that afterwards viewers felt inclined to clean up after themselves?
I too thought it was annoying that such an anti-large cooperation cartoon was made by Disney, which epitomizes everything the movie seems to stand against. But to be offended by the suggestion, however hypocritical the source may be, that maybe we could take better care of our home is a mystery to me.
Comment by Conservative Hawk on 14 July 2008:
I did not see the movie, however I have seen many other Disney movies and find them all to be geared toward indoctrination of our young.
WallyH - I don’t think GOP mom was saying it was American to litter, but you have to look at it this way. (now watch the outrage everyone) - There is absolutely, positively NO PROOF whatsoever that there is global warming or that humans are causing any temperature change. In fact, to the contrary. There is more evidence of a global cooling on the horizon.
I agree with you in the respect that littering is wrong and people should respect the fact that littering is ugly, but if every human on earth stopped driving cars and went back to using candles for light, there would be a negligible impact on the environment.
Comment by Wilson Knut on 15 July 2008:
I don’t think it was about littering at all. I think it was about unchecked consumerism. I didn’t take it as anti-American, but America is one of the largest consumers in the world, with China fast approaching.
Global warming can’t be proven, but it is a fact that landfills are reaching their limits all over the country. I live in Virginia. New York and New Jersey pay the state to take tons of their trash because they don’t have anywhere to put it. Now we’re asking what we’re going to do when our landfills are full. People buy stupendous amounts of junk and then throw it away. We are wasteful. That’s the point I got.
I actually thought a lot of the messages in the film were good. What’s wrong with actually being made to think, rather than just being mind-numbingly entertained? I didn’t think the messages were right or left, liberal or conservative. Does either political party openly support people watching a screen until they forget that the real world exists? Oh wait… nevermind.
Comment by gopmom on 16 July 2008:
Hi WIlson, I agree that the message was about our consumerism, which is not a bad message. But when it is delivered to our young children via a cute robot in a movie produced by one of the largest purveyors of junk in the world, it’s a bit ridiculous.
Comment by Jennifer on 18 July 2008:
To Conservative Hawk: The move was not even about global warming or even littering, as Wilson stated.
I agree that it more had to do with consumerism. It wasn’t the least bit anti-American. Unless you define “American” as useless wastefulness and not thinking for oneself, because that’s what I thought the movie’s message was against. I think it was a great movie with a fantastic message for kids and adults.
Comment by gopmom on 18 July 2008:
But why, Jennifer, is Disney/Pixar delivering this message? Isn’t it a bit hypocritical?
Comment by The Poor Blogger on 12 August 2008:
Patrick J. Ford of The American Conservative said, “The government unilaterally provided its citizens with everything they needed, and this lack of variety led to Earth’s downfall.”
That is, it’s not Anti-American. At least, it’s not anti-Conservative. Real conservatives are as appalled by corporate welfare as they are by social welfare. In this movie, you have a world-wide government run by a corporation. It’s the worst kind of monopoly and it is that which leads to the destruction of the environment.
But that is just the very top layer of a multi-faceted message hidden deeper within the movie. I’d be interested in your take on my interpretation of it (http://poor-blogger.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-of-wall-e.html). In some ways, I think it is an even more radical message than “We consume too much” and “Don’t litter.”
Peace,
Kester
Comment by superagent on 25 September 2008:
Hi,
So has anyone noticed the fact that Pixar made a movie about the Earth being trashed and destroyed by people, to the point that they have to leave Earth and leave a robot to clean up their mess….and what is Disney doing? Making more toys available that will end up in landfills. Here….go to DisneyShopping.com so you can buy a bunch of Wall-E toys that will eventually get thrown away.
Is there any way we can write to them…and ask for a little more social responsibility? I want to find out.
Comment by Ian on 25 September 2008:
Here’s an idea. Be smart parents. Don’t take your children to see movies that you find offensive. We can certainly ask that Disney/Pixar be more socially responsible (they should be), but we can also ask that parents take some responsibility for what their children can and can’t see. Or at the very least, parents should sit down and discuss these “adult” themes with their children before and after the movie to insure that they are well informed - it’s good practice for you and them and will make you both better critical thinkers. The reason Disney/Pixar keeps making these movies and making money is because our society keeps allowing our children to view them. As for the toys - well the message is really self-defeating to Disney/Pixar isn’t it? I mean, the movie is basically telling us not to consume junk and to think for ourselves. If we were smart enough to follow their advice, then none of their crap would sell. The truth is, they bank on people being too stupid to get their message.
The same goes with all media. If we were smarter as a society, our media would be forced to change, but we’re so complacent - we want them to just give us the answers. We don’t question what they say. And this isn’t divided along political lines, I’m talking about our society as a whole. Most people only question things they don’t agree with - I’d advise any one to question the things that you do agree with even more. And questioning is just a start. Once you question (assuming you know how to ask questions), you need to go to work on finding answers (keeping in mind that you need to evaluate all of your sources the same way). Thinking for yourself is hard and time consuming, which is why not many people do it.