'Transformers' Sequel Sparks Racial Controversy
Two new Autobots, Skids and Mudflap, have some convinced that Michael Bay is racially insensitive.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is under heavy fire for its alleged racist caricatures found in two of the film's robots, Skids and Mudflap.
The twin robots, a source of comic relief, are often seen throughout the film accomplishing more bickering amongst themselves than actual fighting, and one sports a gold tooth.
Bay's sequel, which grossed over $60 million on its midnight opening, the highest ever recorded number for a Wednesday movie release, is being accused by viewers and critics alike for its racial insensitivity.
Bay told The Associated Press: "It's done in fun. I don't know if it's stereotypesthey are robots, by the way. These are the voice actors. This is kind of the direction they were taking the characters and we went with it."
Reno Wilson, a black actor, plays the voice of Mudflap while Tom Kenny, who is white, is the voice of Skids. Wilson reported to AP that when approached about the role, he was told the robots learned language via the internet. Mudflap and Skids happened to learn what further characterized them as "wannabe gangster types."
Film critic Roger Ebert, who disliked the film even before these issues arose, claimed that racial insensitivity is becoming too common in Hollywood.
Ebert told ABC News:"Some stereotyping still takes place. In films aimed at black consumers, such as Tyler Perry's 'Madea,' it's in the nature of an inside joke. When outsiders do it, it loses its humor and is simply offensive.
"Michael Bay doesn't have a clue. If your intention as a director is to create 'good fun' and your audience doesn't get that, then as a director you have not succeeded."
