WALL-E: Cute robot or liberal propaganda?

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Jul 3rd 2008 6:08PM

Categories: Weird But True, Going Green, Media, That's Entertainment

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While I had my issues with WALL-E, I wouldn't have considered leftist brain-washing to be one of them (although, I suppose some might argue that I'm so far gone I wouldn't notice it in the first place). It seems, however, that some of the more conservative members of the audience did pick up on it and are visibly upset.

Think Progress (admittedly, it was voted "Best Liberal Blog" in 2006) has a round-up of some of the commentary coming out about the movie from the right side of the theatre. "From the first moment of the film," wrote Shannen Coffin, former general counsel to Vice President Cheney, "my kids were bombarded with leftist propaganda about the evils of mankind."

Another writer described the movie as "a 90-minute lecture on the dangers of over consumption, big corporations, and the destruction of the environment." He goes on to explain that he will be doing his part to save the world by "by boycotting any and all WALL-E merchandise" and calling for others to "join my crusade."

I'm sure that these reviewers do not speak for all conservatives, representing, instead, an extreme, but it is still amusing that they are getting so upset over a movie that they aren't being forced to see. I could get similarly incensed about the VeggieTales series -- or just not watch them.

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Comments (10)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

crystal 7-03-2008 @ 7:19PM

Oh my goodness!!! First of all, I would like to say that Andrew Stanton, director and writer of the film Wall-E, started developing this story idea in 1996 or 1997 I believe. Keep in mind folks, ten freaking years ago!!! He said he had no intention to make the film anything that the story that he had thought of in the first place. I have seen many interviews with Stanton about Wall-E and I believe that he just wanted to make a good movie, and that he did. As you had mentioned, no one is FORCING you all to see this movie. I did in fact see this movie and it does make one think about the future of mankind on this planet. II was not 'brainwashed' by the movie, I just sat there in awe thinking that the Pixar guys can make darn fine films. My daughter, who is 3, absolutely loved the character of Wall-E and his friend EVE. We had an absolute blast watching the movie and can't wait to see it again. As of today, I went to the Disney Store and purchased a Wall-E stuffed toy and EVE to go along with him. Please folks, stop overanalyzing every little thing that goes on in this world. We have bigger problems, don't we??

meredith 7-03-2008 @ 8:13PM

I also have a few friends who won't let their children see the movie. They were forbidden to see that penguin one, too. The Lorax? Not a chance.

I am baffled as to what the harm is in this thinking in the first place.

Imagine how poorly the adults in the world are doing if we need to force this on our children. How about that angle?

ninainindia 7-03-2008 @ 8:59PM

So what do they don't want their children to see? Very strange this, afraid of showing climate change and nipples, but guns and violende is fine.....

Heather 7-04-2008 @ 1:00AM

OMG!! People read WAY too much into stuff. It is a MOVIE!! We took both of our kids, ages 6 and 3 to see it and they loved it, and we thought it was a very cute movie. Anyone who is so against their kids seeing "violence" in this kind of movie needs to get their head out of the sand. I would be willing to bet they watch the news everyday and don't think a thing about their kids watching or hearing it.....AND THAT IS REAL!! I just don't get it. No wonder kids can't stand up for themselves anymore, they don't know how because they aren't being exposed to anything. Mommy and daddy have them all wrapped up nice and safe in a bubble. CRAP that is all I have to say!!

eugene 7-04-2008 @ 3:29AM

I refuse to allow my child to watch veggie tales. I find their perverse blend of christianity with what is obviously phallic visuals to be not only disturbing but just the lastest attempt to sexualize our children. The fact that they wrap up their perversity in what should be family friendly Bible based stories makes it all the more appalling.

Further, I refuse to allow my child to watch any cartoon or show that attempts to anthropormiphize animals, fruits and vegetables or any other non human. These things are soulless and placed here solely for our amusement and consumption. To teach our kids that they run around and have relationships is just the first step in undermining their souls.

I also sit with remote handy and "mute" nature shows whenever the narrator mentions "mother earth"... this sort of pagan propanda should be scrubbed from PBS. How my tax dollars are used to spread anything but the Good Word is beyond me!

end sarcasm.

Daniel 7-04-2008 @ 4:10AM

So were you being sarcastic or not? If you were, that was a darn long sarcasm fit!!!

Jenn 7-04-2008 @ 11:34AM

LOL...I was thinking "Wow, who stole eugene's login info?" until I got to the end.

Derek 7-04-2008 @ 5:55AM

Seeing as how Eugene type "end sarcasm" I'm going to go with... the comment being sarcasm... but maybe I'm wrong?

acmeacme 7-07-2008 @ 7:46AM

The thing that bothers me the most about WALL-E is not the obvious leftist message (if you don't see it, your eyes are not open) it is the hypocrisy of Hollywood scum telling me that I am a big, fat, obnoxious american (duh) and then making me pay $9 for a ticket and $10 for a bucket of popcorn!

What next... a hollywood producer telling me that i shouldn't make the same crappy movies over and over, get blow jobs from hookers and sell my soul for a table at Skybar?

Mary 7-15-2008 @ 3:59AM

OH BOY!!! This movie ooooozed Green Agenda Propaganda!!! I couldn't wait for it to end and find some recycled water to wash all the subliminal manipulation out of my over loaded shocked brain! What makes me sick about this movie is, it is all shrouded in a "children's film" and is clearly trying to teach the little innocent children a big fat lesson for only a small (ha) admission fee.

I'm just surprised Al Gore didn't bust out of the movie screen, like Steve Martin did to promote his new Pink Panther movie, and announce to all the children how WALL-E is his altar ego and how important it is that we must not waste and we better never shop at big box stores like "WALL e Mart" ever again.

OH, one more thing, someone mentioned to me they were surprised that he hadn't seen any WALL-E toys for sale at Walmart....oh boy....duh!!!!!