Rihanna Rolls Out The Big Guns For Her ‘Hard’ Video

Robbie Daw | December 17, 2009 4:21 pm

Rihanna does the Magic Kingdom proud (just in time for Roy Disney’s passing) with the latest music video from Rated R, “Hard.” As tipped here, the pop singer employs some subtlety by throwing on Mickey Mouse ears and straddling the gun turret on a big pink tank. Ah, metaphors.

Rihanna had previously described the feel of the clip as “couture military,” but that makes it sound far more sophisticated than it is. What it really represents is a chance for Rihanna, appearing in the role of Private Boob-Tape McSexyants (courtesy EW’s Leah Greenblatt), to romp through the desert while cycling through such fashions as  an open Army shirt, a fitted metal bikini top, and… bandoliers.

Grace Jones (and Tina Turner) would approve, but not everyone else does. About.com’s Bill Lamb, for one, suggests the vid dishonors the very real sacrifice being made by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Hard,” he says, “is one of the most tasteless, offensive moves by a major pop artist in recent memory.”

“Hard” was directed by Melina Matsoukas, who’s also done behind-the-lens duty for Robin Thicke (“Sex Therapy”), Whitney Houston (“Million Dollar Bill”), Lady Gaga (“Just Dance”) and Kylie Minogue (“In My Arms”).

To arms?