'White Man's Burden'

Rated R

/-2

7--

blacks are wealthy, cul-
ed from its home. When
tured, politically empow-
Louis learns that Thad-
MOVIES
deus may be responsible
fter the O.J. Simpson trial, ered, and, oops, that same
for his firing, he decides to
polls indicated that the ma- old character flaw — racist.
jority of whites still believed Yes, a society where racial roles seek reparations.
The tragic crux of this film is
O.J. guilty, while the ma- are flip-flopped.
Come on, wasn't this done on how our ability to communicate
jority of blacks polled believed him
fails us at the most critical junc-
innocent. Given these apparent "Star Trek" back in the '60s?
For all its claims of tures of our lives. When Louis is
originality, White Man's routinely stopped by the police, he
Burden comes across as is unable to articulate his dilem-
a hackneyed, turgid ma. When Thaddeus understands
melodrama.
the reason he has been kidnapped,
White Man's Burden he agrees to repay Louis' lost
only shows reverse wages and return his job. Louis is
racism in lugubrious unwilling to accept or understand
fashion. It merely shows this acquiescence.
When Thaddeus escapes from
that role reversals don't
really change anything.
Louis and breaks into a ghetto
Thaddeus Thomas home to avoid recapture, the
(Harry Belafonte), a frightened white residents don't
wealthy businessman, believe his peril. Words fail him
John Travolta and Harry Belafonte: "What if?"
mouths racist sentiments and he must flee for his life.
A meaningful dialogue between
racially different perspectives, the in the most mendacious fashion
time is ripe for a film such as at the film's opening dinner par- races where there is listening and
White Man's Burden. If only one ty. Meanwhile, Louis Pinnock understanding must be ongoing.
film could pose solutions for the (John Travolta) works in a candy Flip-flopping racial roles and re-
black and white racial disharmo- factory to support his wife and two lying on the same old stereotypes
ny, distrust and divide in this kids, paycheck to paycheck, un- doesn't provide a suitable model
country, we would all have much til he is suddenly let go. After seek- for improvement. 1/2 out of 4
ing other honorable employment bagels
to be thankful for.
White Man's Burden, however, without success and going deeper
—Dick Rockwell
surely fails in its attempt. Imag- into debt, Louis is unable to pay
ine an Afrocentric society where his rent, and his family is evict-

A

title on this one folks — it's a great
story, with plenty of inventive vi-
sual and verbal shenanigans that
oy Story, Walt Disney
will delight all.
Pictures' first feature-
Kids won't spot them, but
length, computer-ani-
watch Mr. Potatohead's accusa-
mated cartoon, has all
tion that Woody is kissing up to
the right stuff: Tom Hanks
the toys' owner, Andrew. Potato-
(Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz
head (voiced by insult comedian
Lightyear) as voice talents, and
Don Rickles) removes his lips and
Pixor, the world's cutting-edge
places them squarely on his "spud-
computer-animation graphics
tocks."
machine. But these names
Listen to Bo Peep as she gives
won't matter to the little kids
Woody a Mae West-type invita-
who will sit in the audience
tion. "Come over and see me some-
munching popcorn and going
time. I'm only a few blocks away,"
absolutely gaga for the coolest
she says coyly as she sashays past
toys of all time in an adventure
a pile of wooden alphabet blocks.
that will appeal to the kid in all
For conflict, there's Sid, a vil-
of us.
lainous little boy who lives next
Toy Story's goodhearted tale
door; he likes to dismember toys
of toy sibling rivalry is a much
and attach firecrackers to them.
needed antithesis to Tim Bur-
But believe me, most of these
ton's The Nightmare Before
these Toy Story creations will find
Christmas, the macabre holi- Woody and Bun in Toy Story.
welcome in many children's
day-themed film of a few years
ago. Instead of focusing on the morphose out of liquid nitrogen, hearts.
One minor complaint: Al-
dark side of the human imagina- and Forrest Gump hobnob with
tion, Toy Story's comical adven- actual historical personages. Be though I greatly admire Randy
Newman's skill as a com-
ture transports us to those prepared for a toy world
poser (The Natural), I
childhood days when we talked to that makes Roger Rabbit's
MOVIES
find his raspy vocals just
our toys and, indeed, they talked Toontown appear about as
slightly smoother than an
too ... but, of course, not when we sophisticated as a flipbook.
Toy Story is breakthrough film- old gunny sack. 4 out of 4 bagels
were around.
Parents will want to take their making at its best, with fully re-
— Dick Rockwell
kids to this movie and stay to see alized characterizations and clever
plot twists throughout. Check the
it again.

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'Toy Story'

Rated G

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