For those of you who've watched Disney's Cars 2: McQueen says to Mater: "If people don't take you seriously, they have to change...not you." This strikes me as a very wrong message to give to children. Basically its fine to act like the village idiot all the time, and if people dont take you seriously, its their fault, not yours. Why cant there be a movie where they teach children to take responsibility for their actions....as in "If you act stupid, you'll be treated as such...so clean up your act if you want to be taken seriously". I know its a movie, but that seems to be the common theme in a lot of movies...the underdog is no longer the underdog...now he is the dumb, irresponsible, party-animal underdog, who still wins in the end, mostly through sheer luck. I'm sometimes so afraid for the world, for us. Where is this going to end?
I think it's more that people need to accept you as you are. You can't go around trying to change who you are just so people will like you. I think the "truth" is actually somewhere between the two....
Mater is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. If he were human, he MIGHT be considered "special needs". I took it as more Mater-specific advice, that MATER is who he is and can't go around changing who he is just to be liked by others because those who really count already love him for who he is and understand who he is, no changes necessary. Those others don't count.
hmmm...yeah, I didnt think of it that way at all. I suppose if he's like that, then yes, it does make sense. There are a lot of types in movies that are kind of like him...the sterotypical party-animal bum types, no job, no money, no relationship, leeching off of friends, living in a rundown apartment, but in the end he somehow still wins, AND gets the girl, mostly through sheer luck. I figured Mater was the Disney version of all that...but now that I think about it, you guys have a point.
Here, we call it "from across the bayou". Not slow enough to qualify for Social Security disability, but not quite average either...
Mater is one of those "salt of the earth" types. Neither the smartest guy in class nor "riding the short bus to school". [*No offense intended for those whose kids do ride the short bus to school. My nephew does, too.*] Not quite average but didn't qualify for an IEP. (504 maybe.) Many very fine character qualities. Not quick on the uptake, but does understand things (everyday things and social situations, not rocket science) eventually. Heart of gold guy, well-liked/loved by those who take time to know him (like the citizens of Radiator Springs, and Lightning McQueen), fun-loving, corn-ball humorist. He HAS a job, does it well, and is proud of it (he's a tow-truck! absolutely essential when needed). There is no envy in him. He knows he's not the shiniest vehicle on the road, but he's earned every dent, scratch, and pit in his rusty hide. He also knows that appearance isn't everything. He knows he doesn't understand everything, but is confident in himself. He has no malice toward anyone, and has a very forgiving nature. Considers himself a friend to all. Mater is a great guy! And if he does get the girl at the end of the story, it's the girl who appreciates the fine qualities more than most, and can look past the rusty exterior and find that shiny heart of gold.
