I’m not going to bash the film. I actually liked the movie, plus I’m a pretty big fan of all things Eighties. But there were some things that didn’t sit well with me. For instance, why Bernie Mac and Anthony Anderson (substantially famous black actors) accepted the two roles they played is beyond me. I’m sure the money was good for what they little did, but did both characters have to be disrespecting their mothers for the sake of comedy? Hell, did they BOTH really have to be grown men living with their mothers for the sake of comedy? (OK Anderson lived with his grandmother, but my point remains.) Bernie Mac is hilarious without having to threaten to bust his mother upside the head with a brick in a cameo in the summer’s biggest action adventure. Anderson, however, is iffy with me in general; I’m not sure how much I like him. That said, his character sucked. The writer that dreamed up “Glen Whitmann” should be smacked. I liked Tyrese’s character the most of the black humans. Which brings me to Jazz…
Jazz is the bebopping, break dancing, slang talking, obviously black Autobot. He’s obviously black because he is a walking/talking stereotype, and he’s also voiced by Darius McCray (the big brother, Eddie Winslow, from the classic sitcom “Family Matters”). It really drives me crazy that this guy was such a cliche. If they can take artistic liberties and make the character Bumblebee a Camaro instead of a Volkswagen Beetle, which he was in the cartoon, then surely they can make the Jazz character less offensive. I’m not even going to get into the fact that he was the only Autobot to Maybe I’m just being naive thinking that Hollywood should be more conscious of stereotypes. No one else seems to care. Aside from that the movie was cool.
Outside of Megatron and Optimus Prime (who seemed to share the same voice), and Bumblebee, I really had a hard time telling one Transformer from another, let alone keep track of who died or didn’t die, with all that blowing up all the time. Absolutely the Bernie Mac and Anthony Anderson characters were ridiculous. My biggest problem with the movie was that they spent so much time on the so-called love story (does loser boy get the hot chick? duh) and not nearly enough time on the bots themselves, which were very cool.
My husband told me it wasn’t as bad as Jar Jar Binks but that it was still a bit cringeworthy. Glad I didn’t go see it. It’s disappointing to read this stuff about these characters. Hollywood’s same ole same ole.
Hmmm – I still haven’t seen the movie. I’m going soon.
it is sad to see that 1) they are still writing these awful stereotyped parts and 2) some actors are still willing to play them. You can’t help but lose some respect for everyone involved.
Damn, even in computer generated movies, the computer generated athrophormic BLACK Human has to die? Damn…
Ah, I supposed I liked Tyrese Gibson’s character…but whatever happened to him? Even with notable actors like Tyrese Gibson and Amury Nolasco, the “powers that be” didn’t see fit to complete their stories (or quite start them).
Regarding Autobot, I actually burst out laughing out loud in the theater. The only obviously Black Transformer, and he a)has an opening scene doing martial arts (at least, I thought it looked like that–who knows) and complaining/”bebopping around”, and b)DIES.
Anyhow, nice to hear echoes of my sentiments about the movie. I just found your blog, but can’t stop reading it already. Best wishes.
I like this movie so much that I saw it three times in less than a week! That said, I thoroughly agree with you. The needless buffoonery of it “Black” characters was unnecessary as well as unsurprising. Perhaps Bob Johnson’s new studio named “Our Stories” will be the anecdote for the negative typecasting of “Black” characters.
The big problem with how big, summer blockbusters are made — a lot of people in the studios, who don’t know how to tell stories (much less write), all try to put their 2 cents in. That way, if a movie is a success, every junior executive who gave “notes” can say that they were responsible for the success.
Bad notes from stupid people are the reason that most Hollywood movies are bad. Or have bad elements.
Chances are — these kinds of additions and characters were notes from such idiots.
I haven’t seen this yet but you have certainly highlighted enough for me to be prepared for some irritating foolishness. They had a perfectly good movie without this, so sad they just had to throw such unnecessary bufoonary into the mix. My husband made the same comment about Bumblebee and overwhelming presence of GM cars in the movie (I of course hadn’t a clue and probably still won’t notice when I do see it.)
we need to talk! (smile)…stereotype/myth-buster numero uno here…great blog. Keep up the good work!
JM
Direcotr
What Black Men Think
I haven’t had it in me to lay out those Transformers concerns, but I shared most of them. As you say, most folks didn’t seem to care about the things I cared about – including the very few nods to hardcore fans.
You said it already, but I’ve gotta say it, again: I couldn’t BELIEVE they made Jazz a break-dancer and then let him be the only Autobot to die (maybe the only Tformer, since Megatron’s likely to return).
Hi there,
I just happened upon your fantastic Blog. I have to tell you that of the posts that I read, I thoroughly enjoyed them. I wanted to give you this compliment and to also ask you to contact me via email because I have a proposition for you in regard to a new Magazine that I am working on for Black Teens. I think you would be an awesome contributor and I would welcome the opportunity to share the details with you.
Peace, Love & Eternal Light
Charmaine
You know I just saw Transformers on cable for the first time and I was thinking the same damn thing. I couldn’t believe the “black” bot died. Really? Really Really?
SMH