Hollywood and politics have always shared a strange love affair especially when it comes to liberalism as Hollywood is as famous for its films as it is for its outspoken left wing artists. The town also has had an unfortunate history with what is perceived as right wing politics (the blacklist from the McCarthy era) and now conservative leaning actors and artists either remain silent or choose to keep their values away from their films. But, does that mean the films we see from Hollywood are influenced by left wing values? Usually no. However, any art will be influenced, however minor-ly, by an artist's own ideals and views on the world. This may mean that politics organically can work their way into a film or an artist can throw story to the wind and just put an agenda forth. So, at times, some films have been more heavily influenced than others when it comes to politics albeit right or left wing. But, mainly we don't notice unless we really examine the underlying themes in the film. So without further ado, let's take a look at five films you probably didn't notice had left wing values. Let us also note that these are theories on films as opposed to fact. True art is meant to be open to interpretation and a true artist would be just as ready to accept a conservative's view of their product as a liberal's. So here goes.
5. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
The Politics: The reboot of the successful toy line, comic books and television series about an elite group of soldiers defending American freedom took a different turn when director Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Van Helsing) grabbed the reigns. We were presented with a film that downplayed the American patriotism inherent in G.I. Joe and given patriotism on a globalist scale. G.I. Joe had become an elite group of soldiers from around the world each representing their countries to fight Cobra and his minions. Besides the obvious political correctness at play, this film was left wing because it was a globalist feature. It presented a world where America was not a dominant force (a Republican view) or a shining city on the hill (a libertarian view). It was a world where the United Nations and the World Bank had probably received even more influence than they already have. Sommers pretty much vindicated the left wing nature of the film when he stated the following: "this is not a George Bush movie -- it's an Obama world."
Is It Any Good? I think liberals and conservatives can agree that G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is hard for anyone to enjoy that is over the age of 13.