MovieChat Forums > Astro Boy (2009) Discussion > Political?

Political?

posted 14 years ago by punkboyeverett
10 replies | jump to latest

I've read alot of reviews of this film today.
Across the board, I've read that the film has political undertones, but I can't figure out what way the politics lean. I've read about Global warming being a part, Starting wars to get reelected, but also, posters saying "now is not the time for change" So which political slant is idealized?

I'd like to ad that I feel politics have no place in Childrens films one way or another; I'm just currious.

_______________________________________________________________
"I love humanity, it's people I can't stand." - Linus Van Pelt

[–] lunatroid 14 years ago

The political overtones of the film concern President Stone, which some viewers think is a caricature of President Bush. I don't think it's that obvious, really, and it can be overlooked - but then there's this banner in the movie that's draped across a building Stone is in. The banner says "It's Not Time For Change", which is a pretty blatant reference to 'Bama. I really wish that hadn't been put into the film - it's not nearly as funny as the writers seemed to think it would be, and it probably ticked some people off. But it lasts only for a second, and the rest of the movie is so awesome that I don't think the "political overtones" really hurt it at all.

[–] ashlinry 14 years ago

I was thinking about this too. Especially because the one robot's name was ZOG which stands for Zionist Occupation Government http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionist_Occupation_Government

ZOG is a pretty out there name, I don't think it's a coincidence.

Also, this might be a bit of a stretch, but Astro's dad looks just like Serj Tankian (the lead singer of the band System of a Down) imo.
http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/6/6/5/9/16369566-16369688-slarge.jp g
System of a Down is an EXTREMELY political band. It seems like at least half their songs have something to do with government, politics, war, etc.

(EDIT: ok, so maybe the thing about SOAD is REALLY a stretch. :) )

I am free in all the ways that you are not

[–] bbagnall 14 years ago

That part about ZOG was really strange. The scene takes a pause as he uncovers ZOG and then he says something like "ZOG, I knew you were hiding but not really gone." or something like that. This makes *no sense* in the context of the movie because he had never met this robot before. ZOG is portrayed as ultra powerful but benevolent. This is just all around bizarre.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] mn2nmixr 14 years ago

Yes. Obviously political. Red core, blue core. Red state, blue state?

Political agendas have no place in kids movies. I agree.

"Planet 51" is a good example. Nice little moral, good laughs, good for the kids. No political agenda.

---JD Christian

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] yusef-ghanima 9 years ago

and the president was clearly dubya bush, you can't take politics out of any thing, and planet 51 was the only american animation movie that is pure crap in my opinion, it's worse than rango.

i mostly will not be able to answer your reply, since marissa mayer hacked my email, no notification

[–] ftremblay379 8 years ago

This movie has both political and environmental undertones, but both these themes are explored very vaguely. I mean, they are there, but who knows what it all means... And also, kids love politics.