Comm 330: Transfromers

Today I just re-watched the film “Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon,” Which is the third film of the movie series. I never really thought anything of the film when I first saw it, except that the action scenes are awesome, the special effects brilliant, and that they called the “Sears Tower” The Willis Tower, which should Always be known as the Sears tower. When I watched it again today, I had a Hugh epiphany about the film and its underline symbols and meanings.  The first thing I noticed was the color of Optimus Prime, the leader and head transformer of the primes. His colors are an obvious portrayal of the American flag, seeing as though he is a red, white and blue machine, which should be ironic because he is from outer space, but really, it’s not ironic at all. The films whole story is the exact portrayal of the American ideology and patriarchal society we live. The Primes represent the all-American hero, who end up on earth and must defeat the decepticons who want to destroy freedom. Here is one of the many ideologies of the United States; the hero that fights for democracy and the bad guy against it. Then there is the character of Shila Buff, who plays your typical boy next door, a no body, who ends up being the one to save the world, 3 times. WOW. Here we can see the idea that the people of America, the underdogs in society, and the neighbors next doo can be heroes too… that is with the help of the U.S military who  help the primes defeat the decepticons. Shila Buffs love interest, of course, is a beautiful model-esque girl, who runs around in heels throughout the entire film. It’s pretty obvious that she is not considered anything but a heroine who Buffs character must save. It’s so interesting that a film about giant robots can have so many underline meanings, that has the potential to subconsciously effect the way we think.