It's only a movie, and a cartoon to boot. I really cannot stress this enough, folks.
For those of you who hadn't already heard, DreamWorks' new animated comedy/musical "The Road to El Dorado" is causing quite a stink.
Groups of protesters picketed outside selected theaters around the country on the film's opening day to make a point about what they perceive as negative depictions of Mayan culture. (Among the theaters picketed was Salt Lake's Century Theatres 16 multiplex.)
Particularly offensive to the protesters are the characters of shaman Tzekel-Kan (for whom actor Armand Assante provides the voice) and Chel, a Mayan woman (voiced by Rosie Perez).
According to the protesters, Tzekel-Kan embodies the stereotype of Mayans as "bloodthirsty savages," while the latter shamefully uses her feminine wiles (and perhaps her body) to get her way.
First of all, let me say that some of these complaints may be warranted. But I certainly wouldn't say that the DreamWorks studio is in the business of making racially offensive films.
Studio founder Steven Spielberg has a long track record of being sensitive to ethnic and racial concerns. (Anyone remember his Oscar-winning drama "Schindler's List?")
Besides, the exaggerated characterizations in "The Road to El Dorado" certainly pale in comparison to the continuing negative stereotypes of Middle Easterners in films — the latest example being the new dramatic thriller "Rules of Engagement."
While this film's Vietnam War scenes at least put a human face on the "other side," the main story line, which involves the gunning down of villagers in Yemen, isn't nearly as well done.
Instead, the Yemen people are seen as being American-hating terrorists, including a scene that shows a small child aiming a weapon at U.S. Marines.
However, "Rules of Engagement" isn't being picketed, possibly because it's not a cartoon, and therefore, isn't aimed at children and families. All of which strikes me as a bit hypocritical.
Protests against cartoons are nothing new. "Pocahontas" receive similar outcries because of its perceived insensitivity to American Indians.
I'm not excusing the studios and, in fact, have myself found some this material to be objectionable. But I do wonder how these protest groups would have reacted to many of yesteryear's cartoons — such as the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts, which contained, by today's standards, some racist material.
(Having watched more than my share of those, I can tell you that I didn't grow up to become a racist as a result. But, hey, that's just me.)
BUT WILL HE NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN?
The James Bond wars may finally be over. Or maybe not.
Last week, a U.S. federal judge dismissed movie producer Kevin McClory's lawsuit against MGM. You'll remember that McClory and the studio were squabbling over the rights to use author Ian Fleming's most famous character.
McClory helped produce 1965's "Thunderball" and then produced an updated remake, "Never Say Never Again," for another studio in 1983 — and he even dragged Sean Connery along for the ride.
But that wasn't good enough for McClory, who sued the studio in the hope of getting the rights to use the 007 character for yet another "Thunderball" remake.
In the suit, he challenged the studio's exclusive claim to the James Bond franchise.
The latest court battle took place in Los Angeles, where Federal Judge Edward Rafeedie tossed out the suit, ruling that McClory had failed to pursue his claim in a timely manner.
Rafeedie dismissed McClory's claims "with prejudice," meaning that the decision may not be appealed.
You have to sort of admire McClory for letting the whole thing go on this long; at one point he even turned down a $10 million settlement offer from the studio.
But let's hope this is the end of the ordeal so that MGM can finally concentrate on getting a better script for the next Bond film.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"I have never kicked anybody's butt. Because, in the 21st century, I think, people train for martial arts in four ways. One is to become an actor, one is to become an Olympic champion, one is to protect yourself and the last is to become healthier. So, we never want anybody to learn martial arts to kick somebody . . . somewhere." — Jet Li, star of "Romeo Must Die," when asked if he has ever used his martial-arts skills outside of his films.
Deseret News movie critic Jeff Vice can be reached by e-mail at jeff@desnews.com