By Omar L. Gallaga
Twin robots Skids and Mudflap (pictured here in robot form) are raising issues of race in the new movie 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.' Photo by Robert Zuckerman. DW Studios L.L.C. and Paramount Pictures Corporation.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has hit theaters and, based on the savage reviews so far, I'll probably wait to see it until it comes out on... nothing.
One of the more fascinating discussions on the film (besides the varied and creative ways film critics are finding new ways to insult director Michael Bay) is whether the personalities assigned to some of the titular robot stars could be considered racist. (Or at least grossly stereotypical.)
The robots in the film could be considered an extension of our fascination with high-tech gadgetry (only in this case, bigger is better). When we're at the point where we can assign a Homer Simpson voice to our GPS devices, do we owe it to give them a little bit of dignity. Does it matter that they're fictional?
Would love to get your thoughts on this. I'd go do some field research, but they don't give me hazard pay to go see movies like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
categories: Musings
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