The Energon Pub

[Raymond T.]

A review on the new Michael Bay Transformers Movie has appeared on the "Conservative" movie forum site of Libertas. Some of their comments did not sit well with screenwriter John Rogers, who wrote the first draft of the script for this movie. To their review the writer responded on his blog.

"This sort of culture score-carding is idiotic. It's way, way beyond wet-brained. The Variety review, for example, pointed out how Optimus Prime sounded like Bush when he said "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." What the reviewer plainly does not know is that is the Big Guy's catchphrase, and if I'd left it out of the first draft a mob of people in cardboard transforming costumes, led by Seth Green and his now full-sized and deadly Robot Chickens, would have gibbed me. I didn't sit there and say "You know what, I should use this movie as a way to express the righteousness of an international crusade of liberation and nation-building." And although I can't speak for Kurtzman and Orci, I don't think that was their gig either".

[First-Aid]

I hate it when people read too much into things. ANyone remember "English" class in high school? You had to read these "great" books (most of which were ridiculously depressing and dull) and break down what their "real" meaning was. FOr Primus' sake, it's a freaking movie about giant alien robots with lots of explosions, cool effects, and a REALLLLLLY hot female lead: WHO GIVE A RAT'S A$$ WHAT IT MEANS?? I have decided that movie critics are English majors who couldn't get real jobs working at McDonald's or Taco Bell like us Music majors! Idiots!

[Autobot032]

I like this Rogers fellow. He makes me happy.

These people do not. Suck they do.

[Flashwave]

Peopel arte allowed to have their own views. *Says in a chant*

Heck with it, These people need to be shot.

[D-340]

It's funny conservatives like this for all the wrong reasons. I saw not of that stuff the reviewer was talking about. It wasn't pro military. It was pro humanity trying to survive an alien invasion. Just like in ID4, humans did what they had to do. Just because it's the US military, doesn't make it gung ho pro american. Another case of someone reading way to much into things.

[1337W422102]

John Rogers sounds awesome.

I think some of you are forgetting that Michael Bay films ARE 'gung-ho pro-American.' Explosions, shaky-cam, stereotyping, and US patriotism is the glue that holds his movies together.

[Repugnus]

I wonder if it's even worth it to dignify that kind of review with a reply. Honestly, people at both extremes of the political spectrum, both liberal and conservative, can take just about any movie, even one as politically neutral as this one, and twist things around to either praise it for supporting their agendas, or denounce it for being propaganda of their opponents -- sometimes both at the same time. People will see whatever they want to see.

[Sportimus Prime]

I like this Rogers fellow. He makes me happy.

These people do not. Suck they do.

Agreed.

[Supreme Convoy]

Yeah... that and I love the analysis of 300 (pro/anti war thoughts).

[Bouncy X]

that reviewer is retarded....how did that line sound like bush? bush isnt about "life for everyone" ...he's only doing all of this because his father couldnt. i mean hell, more canadian soldiers recently died due to american "friendly fire" ...like hell...bush is responsible for more death than life....i mean he's even killing people on his side..lol

[Black Bumblebee]

Just for the record, First-Aid... I teach English Taught middle school, taught high school, and in the fall I'll be teaching freshman at the college level.

We're not all jerk-wads, I promise.

Besides, any English major worth their weight in whatever will tell you that there is no, one, definitive meaning to any story.

In one of my essays working on my Master's degree, I demonstrated how the story of "Rip Van Winkle" was "really" about anti-British sentiments (pro-American), anti-American sentiments (pro-British), anti-Yankee sentiments (pro-Dutch), sexual fear, sexual desire, the dangers of alcoholism, death, altziemers (sp) disease, and a dude who sleeps for a long time. You could say any of them were the "real" meaning... but you could just as easily show that its not.

As Michael Bay's movie IS very pro-military, pro-American, I can see why the critic would think that, however, the critic really needed to do more research. Besides, the Bush ding-dong joke pretty much dispels any pro-Bush criticism.

[Raymond T.]

I like this Rogers fellow. He makes me happy.

These people do not. Suck they do.

Agreed.

Glad to see people like him now. I'll try not to mention that he also helped write the script for Catwoman.

[decepticonjon]

As Michael Bay's movie IS very pro-military, pro-American, I can see why the critic would think that, however, the critic really needed to do more research. Besides, the Bush ding-dong joke pretty much dispels any pro-Bush criticism.

qft
bay has gone on record saying he isn't a fan of bush.. don't know where the article is, but i know i have read it.. anyways

[Sentinel Pax]

Comparing Optimus Prime and the Autobots to Bush and his political ideals is one of the worst things I've ever heard. That's almost as dumb as people getting mad about minorities portraying Persians in 300. Seriously, the Persians couldn't have realistically been Anglo-Saxons, and just because Prime loves freedom doesn't mean he loves Texas, America, and detaining enemy combatants. Poppycock, I say, poppycock! Go John Rogers!

[Liege Evilmus]

First off, Bush sounded like Optimus!

Second, I know many, and on the surface they seem alright, but conservatives suck!

All they do is put down and bitch, but never do anything to make change, like those stupid college hippies.

[YouFearGalvatron]

I have to agree with Mr. Rogers. He also has a great sense of humor! "Seth Green and his army of robot chickens..."

Damn I love that show.

[OptimusShr]

I can't agree with the man more.

[First-Aid]

[quote="Black Bumblebee"]Just for the record, First-Aid... I teach English Taught middle school, taught high school, and in the fall I'll be teaching freshman at the college level.

We're not all jerk-wads, I promise.

Besides, any English major worth their weight in whatever will tell you that there is no, one, definitive meaning to any story.

quote]

I agree with some of the deeper story lines. BUt this is NOT a deep story line. A lot of these critics seem to be self-important idiots who enjoy the power they think they have to make or break a movie. As for teaching, believe me I have the utmost respect for teachers. I suppose I was way too right-brained for some of that reasoning. I have to wonder to myself though if these authors that wrote these great stories were actually sitting there with a pen thinking "how can I put sexual symbolism into this story about a whale?" I find it difficult to believe that every story was written with some hidden meaning.

By the way, as a music major, we always made fun of English majors...LOL (please note that I don't work in music now...I'm back in school again..LOL)

[Mechanurgist]

Funny, I noticed the congruence between Bush's and Prime's words quite some time ago (see my .sig), but no, I don't see any strong ideological links between the movie and real-world events/people. Most any American president sounds like Prime in his speeches because they both reflect deep American values, regardless of their actual position in the political spectrum.