Transformers 2: Ingenious Political Allegory?

by ThaneEconomou

Some people say that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a stupid, terrible, mindless, ridiculous, awful movie. And to those people I say: yes, you are correct.

But upon reflection of Michael Bay’s newest feature film mind explosion, I found this movie may be a thinly veiled political allegory. A defense of the American presence in Iraq, as well as an argument against any of Obama’s intentions of removing our troops.

Never believe for one moment that Michael Bay is an idiot. His films are blockbusters, making billions of dollars.  Our own United States economy is suffering. This makes Michael Bay more intelligent than anyone on Capitol Hill, by my estimations.

Yes his films have always been highly patriotic (a total of exactly 374 shots of the American flag can be found in Armageddon, approximately.) And like Transformers 1 and Pearl Harbor have always shown a true reverence for our men and women (but mostly men) in uniform. Yet, in this film, he has made a much bolder statement.

In Transformers 2, the Autobots are stationed on Earth, fighting against the Decepticons. The United States government asks them to leave, stating the war is only going on because their presense caused it.

Clearly the Autobots are the American forces currently in Iraq. They refuse to cut and run from their duty to fight the Decepticons. They are certain their military is protecting others. And while Optimus Prime says, “Freedom is your right,” he states they should remain stationed on Earth until the mission is accomplished.

The Decepticons are terrorists. They are pure evil. They can assume any identity. They may even be in the United States, posing as hot coeds.

Our current U.S. liberal government is shown as weak, and eager to appease the evil-doers. One man even states, in response to Decepticon demands, “What we need is to come up with a suitable diplomatic solution.” And in classic Bush style, bad ass Major Lennox replies, “… There’s NO negotiating with them!” Obama is even referenced by name. He orders that Optimus Prime – the most heroic being in the Universe – be asked to leave.

And what does this all mean? Is Michael Bay a closeted Republican? Is he sending propaganda to our children through toy-inspired schlock? Has he out thought us all once again?

Or am I grasping at straws and this movie is just as stupid as I thought? I mean, it includes the line, “I am directly below enemy scrotum.”