Veteran actor Robert Redford has had an incredible career, despite his tendency to speak his mind. He has played a wide range of roles down the years, in films such as ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ (1969), ‘The Sting’ (1973) and ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976). However, his off-screen opinions have not always been expressed as well as his lines. A recent jibe at Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney smacked of elitism.

While Transformers fans have mixed opinions in relation to the films, many of us don’t think potential admiration for them should be an obstacle to public office. Redford recently suggested that appreciating Transformers films rather than independent movies was indicative of stupidity. He then grudgingly allowed Romney to choose what he wanted to watch.

Transformers fans come from around the world and from all sides of the political spectrum. We don’t all enjoy the films because of their limited characterisation, among other shortcomings. Nonetheless, we do know that it is possible to enjoy a cultural mix. It is possible to enjoy an action movie in the afternoon and a classical concert at night. In other words, we are not snobbish by nature. Redford’s comments might suggest he is in danger of becoming a boring snob.

It’s commonplace among fans to flame each other on the Internet for liking the movies (particularly from the biggest detractors to the ‘Bayformers’) but to bring up a liking of Transformers in a political discussion? Come on Redford, they’re only movies. You sound more aggrieved than we do!