Brown Sludge

Movie Review - Robots

February 4th, 2006

It may seem funny that a website that concerns itself with corporatism would review an animated movie - but - in very real ways this little movie is everything that Brown Sludge is all about.

Although “Robots” is an animated film targeted at “Family” movie goers - at it’s heart lies a parable about the true nature of Capitalism and the true nature of Corporatism. Earlier this week I posted a piece on the difference between Corporatism vs. Capitalism - and how some people get them confused. The folks that made this movie had a deep understanding of the importance of the distinctions between the two.

Before I get to my review - I’d like to point out that I read many, many reviews of this movie before I started this piece, and those mainstream reviews are incredibly telling - and fascinating in their differences:

The people that liked this movie - liked this movie for all the legitimate reasons. They liked it’s heart - they liked the animation - they liked the “retro” styling that gave the movie it’s unique look and feel. They liked the story line. They liked the voice work. They liked everything about it. In short - they liked it for all the right reasons.

The people that didn’t like this movie - never gave any real reasons for not liking it - often admitting the animation was excellent - the voice work first rate - the story line likeable and well written - BUT - they always ended the luke-warm or negative review with the comment that they felt this movie was an “anti-Capitalism” fable. Which - beside being absolute HorsePuckey - shows that the reviewer didn’t like the movie because of it’s message. Which is very telling.

The movie’s plot is very unique and interesting from another stand-point as well - but more on that in a moment.

What was it about this animated movie that generated these kind of feelings?

The movies basic premise answers that question.

It’s about a working class family of Robots who live in Rivet Town. The Dad robot, Herb Copperbottom (voiced by Stanley Tucci) is a hard working Middle Class guy. The son, Rodney Copperbottom (voiced by several characters over his transition from young robot to mature robot - but mostly by Ewan McGregor) is a bright and endearing kid who - along with his Dad - practically worships a famous and wealthy inventor robot named Big Weld (voiced by Mel Brooks).

Big Weld is truly hero-worthy. As described by Rodney’s Father “he’s the head of Big Weld Industries - he invents things that makes everone’s life better!”. An absolute success story built on the Old School Capitalist ideal. He is a self-made robot. His incredible inventions, enterprising “can-do” attitude and ingenious mind have earned him the title of “The Greatest Robot In The World”. His giant company is the gem of Robot City - the more modern “big city” that stands in juxtaposition to Rodney’s smaller more personable small-town. Big Weld chants the Free Enterprise True Believers Mantra that anyone can be successful if they try hard and apply themselves. His motto of “You Can Shine No Matter What You’re Made Of” echos Dale Carnagie and other real-life success stores.

Let me be clear. This is pure, unadulterated Old School Capitalism. The kind that the Founding Fathers held so dear.

Rodney devotes himself to Big Weld’s hard work ethic - and little by little becomes an ingenious inventor himself. The day finally comes when main street Rivet Town can’t hold him anymore and he sets off to Robot City to meet his hero face to face, and to show off his “Wonder-Bot” - the clever (but skittish) little robot he’s invented to make peoples lives easier.

But when he gets to Robot City he finds his hero missing, and a Gordon Gekko-esque character named “Ratchet” (voiced by the dry as toast Greg Kinear) in charge of Big Weld Industries – and plotting the new direction of the corporation.

And it’s this new direction that causes the corporate apologists to shift uncomfortably in their seats and start clucking their tongues.

You see – the new CEO of Big Weld Industries holds that Old Fashioned ethic of earning your money through hard work and ingenuity in complete contempt.

Ratchet speaks of the company’s original founder who has gone “mysteriously missing” :

“You don’t come across old fashioned guys like that anymore… and for good reason… THERE’S NO MONEY IN IT! Now… let’s get down to the business of sucking every loose penny out of Mr. and Mrs. Average Knucklehead.”

He then proceeds to make that the new corporate mission statement. No longer content to make money the “old fashioned way” the company’s new mission is to come up with a sleek new line of “upgrades” which are far more expensive, and thus far more profitable. When employees point out that people can’t always afford the big new “upgrades” – Ratchet reveals that he plans to have the company stop making the less expensive upgrades and spare parts so that people will have no choice but to buy them.

Later – when small independent shops begin to try to fill in the gaps – and make and supply the much needed spare parts – Ratchet sends out predator robots to gobble up all the available source metal – and shut down the independents. If they don’t go quietly – they are taken below the city and heartlessly melted down.

This is Brown Sludge illustrated and this is exactly why you must see this movie.

And it’s also the reason that the negative reviewers and those who fancy themselves “real Capitalists” don’t like the movie. Because it paints them for what they are. Gordon Gekko poseurs who don’t know real Capitalism from Shine-ola.

In between there are many other sub-plots and characters – and you can’t miss Robin Williams in his first voice-over performance since Aladdin (needless to say – his incredible talent shines through). Will they find Big Weld? Will Rodney prevail? Will he get the girl robot? Will he make his Father proud of him? Will he save Robot City? You see all of this coming - as you do in many movies built on the good old formula.

You can read a real movie reviewer’s opinion here – at Roger Eberts. His review of Robots is very good – as most of his reviews are. There are few more honest, even-tempered and non-snobbish reviewers than Ebert – and the fact that he’s extremely educated in film and has the credentials makes him hard to ignore. He’s the kind of reviewer that will take the time to tell you to see a not-so great movie – because it has endearing qualities he thinks you might like.

So… head down to you’re local independent video rental place – and pick up a copy of Robots. It’s a must-see.

Oh… yeah… about the “other reason” this movie is so unique and interesting… When was the last time you saw a movie - especially a “family” - movie that portrayed a Father as an attached and positive influence in his kids life? Most movies either X out the father completely - or portray him as an abusive and addictive character. The only flip-side to this “father as drunk abuser” coin seems to be “father as complete buffoon”. If he isn’t hitting, molesting or drinking - then he’s a bumbling fool who is the object of abject ridicule. Robots is refeshing because the Father character is a healthy - connected - positive influence. Check that out.

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