When it comes to superhero films, men have Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, Iron Man,
Captain America, The Hulk, Aquaman. The list never ends. But there are only a
few women superheroes and they have always been limited in their exposure.
Female superheroes usually take a backseat to the male ones in movies…Until
now.
The
film, Wonder Woman, that came out this year of 2017, matters to women because it is a HUGE change. The portrayal of Wonder
Woman aka Diana Prince (actress: Gal Gadot) is a character of realization. She
presents both strengths and weaknesses. She is confident, sensitive, and has
insecurities. She has hopes and fears. She can love and lust. She can feel joy and
sadness. She is not just a beautiful face. She has a hot body and extremely
strong. But, body image is not the big focus, as it has been for so many female
superheroes in the past.
Let’s
also point out that Wonder woman is definitely NOT the damsel in distress. In
fact, the typical gender roles are reversed. Steve Trevor (actor: Chris Pine) is
a romantic interest but also a sidekick who is the one needing the saving. It is
a confidence booster for women, as well as little girls, to see a woman who is capable
of taking care of herself, and being the one saving others. Although, Diana and
Steve have a romantic connection, it is not another huge focus that the
media has been prioritizing in the past films with women superheroes.
Wonder Woman isn’t the only movie to make the conversation happen. Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Rey (actress: Daisy Ridley) who has an intense combination of strength and vulnerability. She shows not only young women, but everyone as a whole that it’s okay to be tough, and to know how to be able to do things for yourself, but you can also be emotional. She can fight off Storm Troopers, evil dictators, pilot a spaceship, and she can do it all without showing off her body.
Another Star Wars franchise, Rogue One, with Jyn Erso (actress: Felicity Jones), is another fierce and strong woman who also became a hero. Though she didn’t have “the force” like Rey has but she can fight enemies with her own weapons. She can command a whole Rebel fleet and risk her life to save the galaxy.
This is the progress that we need. We need more
confident and strong role models for our girls and with more help with the film
industry, the exposure of women superheroes in the media can keep rising!
I'm not sure what else to add because I fully agree. I think the Star Wars examples are much easier for men to digest because it shows a strong woman cooperating with strong men, and by doing so, it creates a link with with both men and women can have common ground.
ReplyDeleteWhen Wonder Woman first came out, all of my friends wanted to go watch it with me but I could not get myself to pay for a movie where the women continue to be sexualized. Yes, the traits you mention about Wonder Woman are spot on, however it is numbed with the fact that she still wears a skimpy outfit to show off her amazing body and so does every other woman in her colony. Not only that, but in the new Justice League and Batman vs. Superman, there are angles that are clearly to show off her behind. I really wanted to be able to finally say this super-heroine was the one for all little girls and even older ones, but it just is not. The filmmakers still fell into the idea that sex sells with Wonder Woman.
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