July 28th 2008
Wall-E Gets Flack Over Wasteful Marketing
Filed under: film-tv, movies, not green, products — parrish @ 10:25 am
I saw Wall-E on the opening weekend at the very busy AMC 42nd St. theaters here in NYC. My friends and I waited in line for about 45 minutes to make sure we got a good seat and when we finally got inside I noticed something REALLY strange — there were only about 6 kids in the entire theater. I bring this up because it’s proof to me that adults are not just excited about Pixar, but excited to learn more about the dangers of global warming.
I thought Wall-E did a great job of presenting the subject in a comical yet serious manner, but unfortunately it looks like the film isn’t really practicing what it’s preaching. In fact, Wall-E is getting some pretty harsh criticism for the high environmental cost of the kids’ toys that were made as a tie-in with the movie. First off the toys were made in China and contain a boatload of non-environmentally friendly products, including a thick cellophane plastic, plastic coated wire, thick black plastic strips, nylon tie wraps, and excess cardboard.
Duncan McLaren, of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “These plastics could still be polluting the environment in 1000 years. A real-life Wall-E in a distant future will be picking up the packaging from these toys. The writer and director were trying to get across a sound message in the film so it’s a pity their marketing teams did not do likewise.”
In response, Tesco, the store that currently carries the products, said they will, “work with our suppliers to reduce packaging.” Hmmm. I get it — everybody wants to make a buck! Still, you’d think Disney would be a little more environmentally sensitive when it comes to selling crap about a movie based on the dangers of selling crap. For now, all I can say is go see the movie, but stay the hell away from the merchandise!
via: sundaymail.co.uk
It is _absurd_ how much packaging is on children’s toys. Anything that comes in a box is anchored inside by the plastic twisty ties attached to cardboard encased by plastic. It is not only a pain for parents, but extremely wasteful. All toy manufacturers should change their ways.
“selling crap about a movie based on the dangers of selling crap.” ~ love that line… all these actors and models, when they are not advocating a green lifestyle, are selling crap to the masses! That’s because there’s no standards yet for bookers, managers, and agents… nobody seems to pay any attention to them, when in fact, they run Hollywood! How “green” are they? Anybody from Ecorazzi bothered to go take a look? That would make for quite an expose verite!