How the Angry Birds Movie Evokes Conservatism
INTRODUCTION
10 years ago, the Angry Birds Movie released in 2016. This had come with Rovio's massive success of the original Angry Birds game, in which angry birds take revenge on pigs who stole their eggs. which had defined the early 2010's with excitement and engagement as the phone evolved from simple messaging to full on applications that included games. The series evolved into multiple games, including Space, Star Wars, Transformers, Go!, AB2, and even a Netflix TV series called Toons. As I rewatch the movie 10 years later, I couldn't help but notice how striking the movie's themes parallel conservative values, from free markets, to cultural cohesion, and the topic of borders. These topics the movie indirectly explores increasingly become more relevant with the high political polarization that exists today. Lets fly into this.
CULTURAL NORMS
To begin with, the movie enters into the life of the bird named Red, as he navigates his tricky life in a society he doesn't fit with. He lives in Bird Island, a place quite similar to the countries in western civilization. Bird Island lives without the technological and urban advancement that Pig Island has. Despite this, Bird Island finds itself with a strong culture defined by the values of community, kindness, and most importantly being family, or in this case eggs. These are all values that western countries should similarly align with, as they result in the mutual sacrifice and upbringing that allows people to uplift others above themselves. Contrary to his contemporaries however, Red frequently pushes away others, ignoring the kindness of others, and letting his angry temper get the best of him. This is why in the story he lives in isolation since he has no friends. This comes naturally as he unfortunately grows up without parents. Similarly, millions of American children face the situation of father absence. Without parents, he and many humans in real life never experience the feelings of altruism, along with the life lessons, discipline, and emotional support that only comes from the pressure of parents. Red's life can serve as a warning to us, on the importance of why we need to be there for our children, especially in a period in which parenthood is increasingly being replaced with the state and technology. Let us be there for our children, so that Red does not become the embodiment of them instead.
FREE MARKETS AND PROPERTY
Additionally, the Angry Birds Movie explores the classical liberal values of private property which conservatives today champion. For example, businesses exist in Bird Island such as Free Hugs, Anger Management Class, and the Worm Restaurant, for birds to earn money and manage commercial trade, allowing individuals to pursue their areas of interest and grow efficient in their area of work, which is a key idea that Adam Smith the father of capitalism championed. There is also the fact that each bird or family possess their own home. You will notice that the buildings of the birds are not nationalized collectively unlike in socialism or communism. Interestingly, the film indirectly touches into the topic of the Labor Theory of Value, which Adam Smith also championed in his belief that a products value is determined by the work and time to produce it. Red and his friend Chuck the yellow bird exmplify this idea with their respective properties. When the piggies destroy Red's house when arriving on Bird Island, and when Red destroys Chucks dummy called Billy, both are saddened over the loss of their belongings that took lots of time to build. Their sadness reflect the importance of respecting the rights of property and production of others, because they went out of their day and sacrificing their time as they toiled to make that. And especially today these are under attack by big government intervention to disrupt the entitlement of individuals to their belongings, such as with high tax hikes. Margaret Thatcher did once say "You want to keep more of the money you earn? I'm afraid that's very selfish. We shall want to tax that away..."
SOCIETAL DIVISION
However, these ideals that create the fabric of the bird society in the Angry Birds Movie are put to the test, with the arrival of the pig civilization into their island. Led under King Leonard, they dock their ships into the shore of the Bird Island, destroying Red's house in the process. In the shake of a hand, the bird judge hands them the keys to spend time at the island, no documents and rules laid out, something that eerily is reminiscent of the English Channel boat situation. At first, all seems well because the birds get to learn there are more besides themselves, and the birds get "new friends and allies." The birds in their kind manners welcome the pigs with open arms. But kindness can only go so far until the tolerable can no longer tolerate the intolerable. The pigs slowly unveil the reality that they are not compatible to live with the bird civilization. For example, the pigs lay about and sleep on the living space of Red's house and his front yard, disregarding the idea of permission and asking if this was something he was okay with. Then the pigs also take all the food they want without restraint (even if the food was granted for sharing), almost as if they believed food falls off of trees easily for free without any work. Many western countries face a problem similarly with the welfare state, as the pool can be overwhelmed with a large influx of others not of the nation. And unfortunately, the pigs stab the birds in the back by stealing the eggs of the bird families so they can cook it back home, and then mining the island with TNT explosions. It becomes quite clear the pigs and the birds were never the same culturally, and that they were never compatible. There is nothing kind and communitarian about disrespecting the property of others by destroying it, and there is certainly nothing kind about disregarding the opinions of families who want their eggs to flourish, and instead using those eggs to please yourself to eat. The birds are left scarred, traumatized, and bitter with the pigs bombing their home and plundering the eggs.
TAKING ACTION
However, this is not the end of the bird civilization. If heres anything western countries have excelled at, it has always been bouncing back and surviving under the face of stress and hurt. The birds ultimately follow this path as well. One of the phrases that conservatives love is the phrase "Dont Tread on Me." Its a defensive statement, that one is willing to exit peace to take action and defense if their natural rights are being violated by someone else. The birds are rallied by Red. He does not accept the defeat, and he does not accept the harsh outcome his island was hurt from. He decides to take action. The birds make a plan to take back their eggs, with them building a boat to reach Pig Island, and then launching themselves with the slingshot to take revenge and break into the Pig Castle, and retake their rightful children. Conservatives can similarly be inspired by Red and take action by electing responsible leaders who will protect traditional and cultural values, or doing it themselves. Lets all be like the birds.