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WASHINGTON - Cartoon characters are once again the object of criticism from American religious groups. This time, the target is Disney's "Pooh's Heffalump movie".
The film's plot focuses on the critters of the Hundred Acre Woods and their quest to hunt down the mysterious "Heffalump". While Rabbit, Tigger and Pooh have never actually seen the Heffalump, stories abound about its vicious attitude and appetite for cuddly-wuddlies, instilling fear in our big screen furry friends.
When little Roo (voiced by Nikita Hopkins) stumbles upon the Heffalump himself, he learns that the giant creature is just as afraid of them as they are of him. Without killing the plot too much, once everyone meets the Heffalump they find out just how much they have in common with each other, and hilarity ensues while warm fuzzies fly.
But that's a very narrow view of the film, according to Focus on the Family founder Dr. James C. Dobson, who called the film an "anti-bigotry love fest" which aims to "brainwash our children" and "promote tolerance, acceptance, peace, and the liberal agenda."
A message from Dobson on the Focus on the Family website warns parents that exposure to this film could cause their children to become Homosexual Muslim "tigger-lovers".
Posts on the website's message board seemed to echo Dobson's concerns, with much of the concern falling on Disney's choice for the Heffalump's pink and purple hue. "They could have picked any color at all, but pink and purple?! And what's with the British accent anyway? God knows all those limeys are peace-loving hippie gaywads!" wrote one alarmed visitor.
Another poster inquired as to why none of the characters in the movie appeared to be wearing any clothes. "It's an absolute outrage!", he wrote, fearing that his child would grow up thinking that not wearing clothes and frolicking in the woods was 'normal behavior'.
British youth Kyle Stranger, who plays the voice of the Heffalump, denies trying to promote an agenda, and thought the film had "a good message".
Reacting to Focus on the Family's statements, several church leaders across America have urged concerned parents to boycott the film and instead rent and watch Mel Gibson's acclaimed "The Passion of the Christ" as a family.
In response to the outcry, Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) proposed legislation yesterday that would severely limit the ability for such movies to be produced without proper screening.
The MPAA has considered adding a new letter rating for movies to prevent children from being exposed to movies with messages that parents might disagree with. "The fear is that movies rated 'G' might be thought of as being "Gay", and end up boycotted altogether," said acting MPAA President Dan Glickman. "We just don't want to send confusing messages to our customers."
Pop-Artists "Spin Doctors", who are featured on the movie's soundtrack, did not escape criticism either. One former fan wrote the now defunct group, threatening to boycott all of the band's future tours and albums if they did not clearly distance themselves from the film and its message. Following the path set by a North Carolina McDonalds which first coined the phrase "Freedom Fries", several Christian Rock radio stations have now started a new trend, referring disgustedly to the hit-track by the name "Two Queens".
Disney planned for the movie to help market Heffalump merchandise and revitalize lagging "Winnie the Pooh" related sales. Plans to add a Heffalump ride at the Disneyworld amusement park in Orlando have been put on hold until it is discovered just how hard this protest will hit.
Are the connections coincidental?
According to Heffalump Movie co-writer Brian Hohlfeld, things have gotten way out of hand. While he admits that the choice of colors may have been made in error, he denies the accusation that he is part of a vast leftist conspiracy bent on legalizing gay marriage, expanding nudist colonies, erecting statues of Buddha, using marijuana for medicinal purposes, and global domination.
"It's absolutely absurd!" Hohlfeld said. "Sure, I may have experimented a little with different religions in college, but it was just a phase I went through."
But Dobson sees things differently. "If we allow someone with such poor devotion to morals and God to direct the movies our children view, what will become of our society? Soon the boy you tried so hard to raise properly is going to want to marry a colored girl. And guess what, if we don't stop this nonsense, that sort of thing will be made legal!"
When later informed that the last of the restrictions on race in state-recognized marriage had been overturned in a landmark 1967 court case, Dobson became even more vigilant. "See, it's already happening! When are people going to stand up and fight for the Christian values that we all know and love?"
The film's plot focuses on the critters of the Hundred Acre Woods and their quest to hunt down the mysterious "Heffalump". While Rabbit, Tigger and Pooh have never actually seen the Heffalump, stories abound about its vicious attitude and appetite for cuddly-wuddlies, instilling fear in our big screen furry friends.
When little Roo (voiced by Nikita Hopkins) stumbles upon the Heffalump himself, he learns that the giant creature is just as afraid of them as they are of him. Without killing the plot too much, once everyone meets the Heffalump they find out just how much they have in common with each other, and hilarity ensues while warm fuzzies fly.
But that's a very narrow view of the film, according to Focus on the Family founder Dr. James C. Dobson, who called the film an "anti-bigotry love fest" which aims to "brainwash our children" and "promote tolerance, acceptance, peace, and the liberal agenda."
A message from Dobson on the Focus on the Family website warns parents that exposure to this film could cause their children to become Homosexual Muslim "tigger-lovers".
Posts on the website's message board seemed to echo Dobson's concerns, with much of the concern falling on Disney's choice for the Heffalump's pink and purple hue. "They could have picked any color at all, but pink and purple?! And what's with the British accent anyway? God knows all those limeys are peace-loving hippie gaywads!" wrote one alarmed visitor.
Another poster inquired as to why none of the characters in the movie appeared to be wearing any clothes. "It's an absolute outrage!", he wrote, fearing that his child would grow up thinking that not wearing clothes and frolicking in the woods was 'normal behavior'.
British youth Kyle Stranger, who plays the voice of the Heffalump, denies trying to promote an agenda, and thought the film had "a good message".
Reacting to Focus on the Family's statements, several church leaders across America have urged concerned parents to boycott the film and instead rent and watch Mel Gibson's acclaimed "The Passion of the Christ" as a family.
In response to the outcry, Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) proposed legislation yesterday that would severely limit the ability for such movies to be produced without proper screening.
The MPAA has considered adding a new letter rating for movies to prevent children from being exposed to movies with messages that parents might disagree with. "The fear is that movies rated 'G' might be thought of as being "Gay", and end up boycotted altogether," said acting MPAA President Dan Glickman. "We just don't want to send confusing messages to our customers."
Pop-Artists "Spin Doctors", who are featured on the movie's soundtrack, did not escape criticism either. One former fan wrote the now defunct group, threatening to boycott all of the band's future tours and albums if they did not clearly distance themselves from the film and its message. Following the path set by a North Carolina McDonalds which first coined the phrase "Freedom Fries", several Christian Rock radio stations have now started a new trend, referring disgustedly to the hit-track by the name "Two Queens".
Disney planned for the movie to help market Heffalump merchandise and revitalize lagging "Winnie the Pooh" related sales. Plans to add a Heffalump ride at the Disneyworld amusement park in Orlando have been put on hold until it is discovered just how hard this protest will hit.
Are the connections coincidental?
According to Heffalump Movie co-writer Brian Hohlfeld, things have gotten way out of hand. While he admits that the choice of colors may have been made in error, he denies the accusation that he is part of a vast leftist conspiracy bent on legalizing gay marriage, expanding nudist colonies, erecting statues of Buddha, using marijuana for medicinal purposes, and global domination.
"It's absolutely absurd!" Hohlfeld said. "Sure, I may have experimented a little with different religions in college, but it was just a phase I went through."
But Dobson sees things differently. "If we allow someone with such poor devotion to morals and God to direct the movies our children view, what will become of our society? Soon the boy you tried so hard to raise properly is going to want to marry a colored girl. And guess what, if we don't stop this nonsense, that sort of thing will be made legal!"
When later informed that the last of the restrictions on race in state-recognized marriage had been overturned in a landmark 1967 court case, Dobson became even more vigilant. "See, it's already happening! When are people going to stand up and fight for the Christian values that we all know and love?"
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