Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jackie Earle Haley
Genre: Action
Rated: R
Synopsis: In an alternate universe set in New York 1985, an old superhero is mysteriously murdered sending vigilante superhero, Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), into an investigation that could change the fate of the world.
Commentary: To be honest, I didn't much care for Watchmen when I saw it in theaters. It was a little better when I saw it at home but overall it's not as good as other superhero movies (I hear the comic is better). The only decent character is Rorschach; he's not your classic superhero, he doesn't mind killing criminals or torturing them or mutilating them based on what they've done.
But what I really wanted to talk about was the sexism not just in movies but in superhero movies especially. Usually there's only one female superhero to keep it from being a complete sausage fest and to attract any women that might go and see the movie. Name any superhero and chances are there is only one maybe two female character in there and usually they don't interact with each other except maybe for a few seconds.
The Dark Knight trilogy--Rachel, then she dies in the second movie and in comes Catwoman.
Spiderman--Either Mary Jane or Gwen Stacy (not including Peter's Aunt)
The Avengers--Black Widow, Pepper Potts, and Maria Hill
Iron Man--Pepper Potts
Not to mention the "boobs and butt" posters superhero movies are so infamous for.
I'm not saying that men can find women attractive or anything like that but one female superhero shouldn't be stuck in a movie just to give guys something to ogle at. If you're gonna stick a character in a story, male or female, you have to give that character a purpose. Not just to make money off their poster.
Fun Facts:
- One of the writers of the comic Watchmen hates Hollywood and didn't want his name in the credits of the movie.
ok, yes the graphic novel is SOOOO much better and the writer that wanted his name off was the author of the graphic novel, Alan Moore.
ReplyDeleteAs for the character of Laurie Juspeczyk / Silk Spectre she is an intricate part of both the movie and graphic novel. With out her character the whole story line would fall apart. She is the reason Doctor Manhattan is able to find his humanity. Her story of being the child of the first Silk Spectre and the The Comedian, who raped her mother, is also important as is her new love affair with Nite Owl.
Sorry but with how much a let down the movie was your point here is way off in regards to this movie. Yes there is sexism in comics because the primary audience was pubescent boys and men. Why do you think Wonder Woman was all ways caught and tied up? (Think Bondage)
:)
You're right, Silk Spectre was important to the Watchmen, I probably just inferred that cause I didn't like her (or the Nite Owl). But what I meant was so many times comics and movies in general add just one or two female characters to apease any women that might watch the movie and/or to give the male viewers something to look at. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, it just happens so often!
DeleteAlso, I understand that the target market is men and boys. But there are still plenty of women who read the comics and watch the movies. I just feel like they can have the women be sexy but not objectify them (or at the very least objectify the men too =P). Maybe that's naive thinking but it's how I feel.
the comic is much better than the movie. in the comic sexism is used as a device to illustrate how completely fucked up all the characters are and frankly, Rorschach is one of the WORST when it comes to sexist/racist/homophobic comments.
ReplyDeleteI understand that this doesn't excuse sexism, but the sexism isn't being used as "sexism" in the strictest sense, it is being used to show us how disturbing and unheroic the characters who are presumed to be heroes are.