Propagandist Feet

I went to go see the animated movie Happy Feet on Friday night with my fiance, who had anxiously been awaiting its arrival. She enjoyed the movie greatly; alas, I fear, I read much more into the movie than did she. I suppose I'm simply wired that way. And that way is this:

Happy Feet, whilst admittedly being a remarkable feast for the eyes and ears (mostly for the eyes), is also one major piece of Eco-Propaganda and Anti-Humanist Propaganda.

The kids may, admittedly, care peripherally. But it is another in a continuing series of movies and animated features emphasizing that "civilization bad, nature good;" "religion bad, secularism good."

Not unlike the elder 1970 book Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, Happy Feet relies upon one small bird deciding to make a decision and take a line going "against the grain" of the "traditionalists" and the "status quo." Clearly, the status quo is portrayed as oppressive, unthinking, marginal, inconsiderate, illogical and ritualistic. The Elder Emperor penguins are "pigeonholed" (sorry, couldn't pass up that one!) as unmoving, unsympathetic zealots, meant to be interpreted as those who are linked to religious inclinations -- but of course, with "ageist' intonations -- i.e., "youth good, age bad."

Guess what Boys and Girls?

Y'all gonna get to be pushing 60 -- if'n you're fuckin' lucky.

The bottom line is this: "aliens" seem to be decimating the fish supplies for all the penguins, along with the minimizing ice floes. The "aliens" are humans with their fishery ships and "Mumbles" (the main character of Happy Feet voiced by Elijah Wood, who cannot sing but makes his way in the penguin world by means of tap-dancing) is captured and then placed into captivity within a penguin tank. His ability to "tap dance" results in his being tagged electronically which then results in the "aliens" recognizing the entire herd's ability to dance -- which then translates into the United Nations' confusion and then cessation of fishery exploitation by humans.

And Lovelace leads them there -- a penguin adorned as King by the plastic six-pack keeper he's managed to have caught around his neck. Gosh; another bestiality ploy by humans.

Allow me for a few sentences to cut to the chase. The Japanese and the Russians have traditionally been the worst offenders in the fisheries wars. Asians and Whites. Slant Eyes and Blanchers. Can I possibly make this more racist or offensive, in order to prove my point?

I'm not convinced of Global Warming. In my opinion this is a cycle in the Continuing Big Picture of this planet. Nor am I convinced that age is bad and caucasoid is bad.

But that's just me.

Simply be aware of the fact that, when you take your precious little ones to the theatre for ANY movie these days, there is always an Agenda.

Repeat: there is ALWAYS an Agenda.

And for those of you who just tuned in:

Happy Feet is a nothing more than a fabulous artistic expression . . .

With an agenda.

BZ

P.S.

Happy Feet really is a feast for the eyes. This movie features animation taken to another level entirely -- plus lots of rotoscoping. I freely admit: I have never seen animation taken to this degree of clarity and reality.

. . . another reason your children will believe every moment of every message portrayed or even hinted-at. . .