#livecorp

Korean Musical 【Rimbaud / 랭보】

“But why am I telling you this? How did you like my poems?”

“...They are amazing.”

Yoon Soho・윤소호 → Arthur Rimbaud Kim Jong-gu・김종구 → Paul Verlaine

I'm a sucker for a pun, and 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2' really outdid themselves. The foodimals are outrageously and unashamedly hilariously named (su-sheep, shrimpanzees...etc), and the ridiculousness of it all is just too much to take at times. Who cares though, as the main character Flint actually says at one point: "It's best not to think about it too much".

What transferred this movie from top ten to possibly all time favourite animated film was Chester V - a charismatic cult leader of inventors, who sells the world his 'food bars', numbered to represent their newness and inventiveness. Sounds familiar. He is totally Steve Jobs.

I'm not an Apple person, so it would be easy to argue that I'm seeing evil dictator comparisons where there are none, but let me convince you otherwise. Here are some direct comparisons I saw with the two worshipful inventors....Make your own mind up.

1. They both have glasses and a beard

Ok, so I'm starting obvious and small. However, this is undeniable. 

2. They number their all consuming products

(wonderful image from http://www.deviantart.com/fanart/?view_mode=2&order=5&q=apple+steve+jobs

Just as the latest iPhone becomes the centre of Apple, the newest edition of the 'foodbar' (Foodbar 8.0) becomes Chester's everything. His evil pursuits and decisions all stem from his belief that the new foodbar is the greatest thing ever invented. Nothing could ever be as good as this invention, not the products before it. Hence the numbering.

3. Namaste

Both these men appear to be serious practitioners of Zen Buddhism. Chester often uses the greeting "Namaste!" and can often be found chilling with his holograms in a weird state of meditation. Steve Jobs often engaged in lengthy meditation retreats. I wouldn't put him past having holograms either.

4. Inspirational quotes

"Can your ideas change the world?!" The creepy Chester V inspiration pod exclaims time after time in the Live Corp headquarters. Jobs didn't exactly have a catchphrase, but he is certainly one to look for if you want an inspirational quote or two. Google them if you care.

5. Loyal following of idiotic consumers

Steve.. I mean, Chester is Flint's idol. He foolishly hangs on Chester's every word throughout the film, not recognising the evil undertones of his words. People queue up for days to buy the first Apple shit. To some, Steve Jobs could do no wrong.

6. Angry tendencies

Chester V Often loses his temper, and exclaims "MONKEY" at his sidekick. Jobs was famously cruel to employees and critics, and pretty damn bad mannered. I don't have any pictures for this. It's too specific. 

7. The Company

Ok, the logo doesn't look anything like Apple and the name is totally different. They couldn't exactly call it Orange could they? Or Grape? You have to do some of the thinking yourself. 

Regardless, the high tech facility where Chester resides is minimal, nerdy and ridiculous. Part of it is also shaped like a lightbulb. I don't think it's built yet, but this isn't much less absurd as a hq.

I could go on and on about blue jeans and weird squiggly limbs, but I won't. I've made my point. I don't think Apple are going to embark on a weird mission to scramble a load of animals and transform them into iProducts in Steve Jobs' memory, but the general idea still stands. The genius mind behind a corporation may be bright, but he may also be EVIL.