At first, it merely looks like an anti-intellectual children's film full of low-brow humor, and it is, but this film is also poorly-written, blatant anti-capitalistic socialist propaganda.

First, examine the main villain, Ratchet. He is, essentially, a capitalist; he wants to bleed dry the society for the new upgrades, and his self-interested motives are taken to absurd extremes. He is the typical stereotype put forth by the red party of a capitalist: heartless, disgusting, and only cares about draining money out of other people. There's nothing else to his character -- he's the evil capitalist, and the film essentially tells us "worrying about making a profit from the consumers is evil."

Now, let us look at Big Weld. A tubby socialist, in essence. A jolly robot who doesn't work for his own gain at all but only to help others. An altruist. But why stop selflessness at the spiritual level, the film asks: why not extend this to the economic level. Big Weld is rich and, consequently, disillusioned. But by the end of the film he's a 'common robot,' just like all of the other film's heroes, and the complete picture of perfect selflessness.

The protaganist is the representation of the 'common robot' oppressed by the 'capitalistic machine.' Horrified by the thought that Ratchet is trying to make a profit, he starts his own free robot-fixing service. He charges no prices for his services: after all, making money by aiding others in services is evil. By the end of the movie, a 'common robot union' is realized (see: worker's union), the capitalist is murdered, and they've taken over the robot world in all of the new regime's socialistic glory.

Finally, the film enshrines mediocrity. All of the villains are wealthy, and all of the heroes are either 'common' or become 'common.' None of these robots has tried to make anything meaningful of their lives (except for Rodney, but he realizes his calling for the robot equivalent of the red party), and are merely pawns by which the perverted filmmakers can show the 'horrors' capitalism wreaks upon them. But they are heroic, because they're common and in need: need is the principle that the film worships, isn't it? Nevermind that they're worthless bums, they're common robots, and thus need to overcome the regime under which they're oppressed!

But all of this would have been both boring and revealing if the movie had ended there: the low comedy could cover it up. But the best part for the filmmakers is that they could make this disgusting socialist propaganda appeal to young children with the stupidity and the bright, lively colors. Maybe they can enlist a few younguns into the red party while they're at it.
Equally, along with the stupid humor used to cover the propaganda, the film pays lip-service to Politically Correct ideas and ends just like many other cartoon movies, with no imagination, cliches abounding throughout the scene, justified only by their cartoonish nature that will appeal to some women, some children, and all socialists.

What's remarkable about this film is how open it is with its propaganda: most animated films have adult ideas and jokes buried deep under the surface, but this film makes no attempt to hint at this philosophy: though it hides under the humor and PC ideas, it lies there, waiting to snare unsuspecting minds.

Your thoughts?

I picked up on anti-capitalist undertones as well. Are movies not allowed to have anti-capitalist undertones?

Kalupakki wrote: I picked up on anti-capitalist undertones as well. Are movies not allowed to have anti-capitalist undertones?

Not allowed? Of course they are: they can do what they want. I just obviously disagree with it; not only on principle, but because it is a children's film.

Gatocamera wrote: Kalupakki wrote: I picked up on anti-capitalist undertones as well. Are movies not allowed to have anti-capitalist undertones?

Not allowed? Of course they are: they can do what they want. I just obviously disagree with it; not only on principle, but because it is a children's film.If it was anti-socialist propoganda in a children's film I doubt you would complain.

Kalupakki wrote: If it was anti-socialist propoganda in a children's film I doubt you would complain.

No, I would. I'll not deny that I'd enjoy it, but I'd still object to it. Like that Libertarian picture book I found. I'd sure as hell buy it, but it isn't appropriate for kids.

like anny kid understands the message
its amusing for us to see it, but no kid will watch this and become a socialist because he watched it

Ah, for fuck's sake...I have one word for you: BREVITY.

I have no interest in reading all that.

maiden's virus wrote: like anny kid understands the message
its amusing for us to see it, but no kid will watch this and become a socialist because he watched it

Well, of course they don't see the socialism behind it. What kid would? What it does is it implants the seeds of socialistic values into the minds of the children.

Sir Hammersmith wrote: Ah, for fuck's sake...I have one word for you: BREVITY.

I know. I'm working on it. This review used to be about five paragraphs longer.

Gatocamera wrote: maiden's virus wrote: like anny kid understands the message
its amusing for us to see it, but no kid will watch this and become a socialist because he watched it

Well, of course they don't see the socialism behind it. What kid would? What it does is it implants the seeds of socialistic values into the minds of the children.
just like anny american dream movie implants the seeds of capitalism in their minds.

maiden's virus wrote: just like anny american dream movie implants the seeds of capitalism in their minds.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think dreaming about a great and successful future is something limited strictly to capitalists.
Now, if you had a children's movie where a capitalist is making the big bad collectivist look bad, then we can talk.

Gatocamera wrote: maiden's virus wrote: just like anny american dream movie implants the seeds of capitalism in their minds.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think dreaming about a great and successful future is something limited strictly to capitalists.
Now, if you had a children's movie where a capitalist is making the big bad collectivist look bad, then we can talk.
the american dream is pure capitalistic as itshows someone with no money to get filthy rich in no time.

maybe there is a reason why capitalism is portrayed as evil so much and socialism isn't, its because the basic values of socialism are equality and helping people of all sorts. the basic value of capitalism is enriching yourself as much as possible. wel if i was a cartoon scenario writer i'd know what to pick

maiden's virus wrote: the american dream is pure capitalistic as itshows someone with no money to get filthy rich in no time.

maybe there is a reason why capitalism is portrayed as evil so much and socialism isn't, its because the basic values of socialism are equality and helping people of all sorts. the basic value of capitalism is enriching yourself as much as possible. wel if i was a cartoon scenario writer i'd know what to pick

Oh, right, I forgot you people think that making money is evil, for whatever reason.
Either way, your argument holds no water. If this movie just said 'you should want to help people' and 'we are all equal,' it'd have been fine; the difference is that this movie is blatant anti-capitalistic propaganda, and it really should only be viewed by teenagers who have a firm grip on the principles being discussed.

Socialism forces people into a false equality that just redistributes misery to everyone in equal amounts.
And that is the catch: socialism is compulsive.

Gatocamera wrote: maiden's virus wrote: the american dream is pure capitalistic as itshows someone with no money to get filthy rich in no time.

maybe there is a reason why capitalism is portrayed as evil so much and socialism isn't, its because the basic values of socialism are equality and helping people of all sorts. the basic value of capitalism is enriching yourself as much as possible. wel if i was a cartoon scenario writer i'd know what to pick

Oh, right, I forgot you people think that making money is evil, for whatever reason.
Either way, your argument holds no water. If this movie just said 'you should want to help people' and 'we are all equal,' it'd have been fine; the difference is that this movie is blatant anti-capitalistic propaganda, and it really should only be viewed by teenagers who have a firm grip on the principles being discussed.

Socialism forces people into a false equality that just redistributes misery to everyone in equal amounts.
And that is the catch: socialism is compulsive.
as with capitalism you give wealth to around 25% and leave the others in more misery then you can imagine.
"capitalism is like an island of wealth, surrounded by a sea of poverty."-chomsky

offcourse it's anti capitalistic, equality and collectivism are things that every capitalist hates

maiden's virus wrote: as with capitalism you give wealth to around 25% and leave the others in more misery then you can imagine.
"capitalism is like an island of wealth, surrounded by a sea of poverty."-chomsky

offcourse it's anti capitalistic, equality and collectivism are things that every capitalist hates

Here's the difference: capitalism doesn't give wealth to anyone. They earn it. Now, I wouldn't expect a collectivist to understand this concept (you do believe in wealth 'redistribution,' right?), because you guys think money is this neutral thing that can be distributed in any way. But ask yourself, what is the root of wealth? Capitalism respects the root of wealth, which is achievement, and thus transforms money from the depraved currency you exchange and hate yourself for exchanging to the material manifestation of the capitalists' virtue.
Furthermore, as they earn their money, it is not yours to redistribute.
Would you like to pursue your values more honestly? Become a common thief. A thief is more honest: he doesn't pretend he's helping you by robbing you at gunpoint.

Of course they are, but there is a difference between ideas that just happen to be anti-capitalistic and anti-capitalistic propaganda. Those ideas existed before capitalism and they'll most likely exist forever, as well. I can debate the morality of those ideas, but in and of themselves they're only differing values from mine. There is a huge difference in-between those differing values and propaganda intentionally meant to be antaganistic toward capitalists.