The suits and bean counters at Paramount must be robot-gasming right now, because word via DHD is that Michael Bay’s “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” is headed towards a $170-$180 million dollar 5-day weekend if their inside tracking is on the mark. The sci-fi actioner’s box office will certainly be helped by its massive Wednesday take of $60-plus million, shattering the previous record holder of $42 million held by “Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix” in 2007.
The great numbers are despite widespread accusations that the film has racist overtones, thanks to two jive-talking twin Autobots that provide the film with much of its comedic relief. As is the case with the media nowadays, as soon as someone mentions “racism”, everyone jumps in on it, because obviously there’s nothing the media loves more than a good old fashion “he’s a racist!” story, all the more to prove just how unracist they are.
From what I’ve read, the two robots in question, Mudflap and Skids, developed their personalities from what they assimilate on Earth upon arrival, and in this case, it just happened to be wannabe gangsters. Jazz from the first movie had the same personality, but I didn’t hear a whole lot of racist accusations directed at him then. If anything, I think the writers of “ROTF” are guilty of lacking subtlety. Then again, what exactly about “ROTF” was meant to be subtle?
At the end of the day, it’s a movie about giant robots from outer space that can turn into cars. Seriously? You were sitting in the movie theater trying to read between the lines?
Below: Mudflaps and Skids. Racist? — or just stupid?
