Feminism and Strong! Female! Characters!

[clevermanka]

I'm sure most everyone remembers (regretfully) the train wreck that was Sucker Punch, right? Even if you didn't see it (I did not see it), you probably heard about it. If you didn't, you're a very fortunate person and you should probably skip the rest of this entry here. Save yourself!

Even early on, before it was released, I could tell this thing was a turd. That's me, being a hater, right there.

I can't remember if I linked to this fantastic LJ post about the movie before, but it's entitled "Sucker Punch: A Very Serious Essay on Feminism" and you really should check it out. It came out after the movie, so at least the author wasn't guilty of judging too early. You know, like me.

This morning, Kate Beaton came out with her own take on the subject matter. I'm not certain how much Sucker Punch influenced this particular comic, but everything that influenced Sucker Punch is influencing this, so there's a whole bunch of massive influence going on that you really need to check out.

Comments

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

It's got to be pretty awful (see what I did there?) if a trailer for a fantasy flick does nothing to make me want to see it. And that one did absolutely nothing for me.

I'm just a bit baffled why people are really taking this shit that seriously. Did the producers really try to call it some kind of empowerment? Was it presented that way, or am I missing something here?

:reads comments on essay and has a good laugh at the Fabio reference and those who don't get it:

Oh .. I see. It's "empowering" if the women kill men for fantasy revenge?

It's okay, you can slap me now.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Did the producers really try to call it some kind of empowerment?

Yes. Yes they did. I don't have the link to that particular interview, but oh yes. Yup.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that's fucking sad.

I'd rather have my man-killing women in fantasy that knows it's sleazy (http://www.filmsamling.se/dyanne/main.html) and doesn't pretend otherwise.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm really surprised that link didn't take me to I Spit Upon Your Grave.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

But, but.. there's no cute or sexy outfits in that one, see.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

=D

Good point.