Feminine Masculinity?
The progression of the female action star has evolved quite a bit since Sigourney Weaver first donned a white tank top and out-manned her male counterparts in the Alien films. The early female hard bodies have advanced into graceful, female sex goddesses who can also kick ass. The repressed masochistic relationship that males have with these women has allowed the films to grow more and more successful as the years pass. These films can be both appreciated and hated by feminists who are either eager to embrace the idea of women who can outfight men or eager to dismiss the over-sexed women as perverse male fantasies. Given the right circumstances, within the right formula, female action films can not only deliver huge box office results, but elevate female actresses to the role of stars who are as capable of opening action films as their male counterparts.
Such is the argument of Adam Karabel's article, "Feminine Masculinity: The Rise of Women in Action Films" featured a few days ago on Associated Content (AC): The People's Media Company. Drawing on popular press (Washington Monthly and Salon.com) and academic (Journal of Popular Film and Television) articles, Karabel traces women in action movies from their "masculine" and "de-sexualized" beginnings (Sigourney Weaver in the Alien films, Linda Hamilton in Terminator: 2) through their current sexualized nature (Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider films, all of Charlie's Angels, etc.).
While he makes some interesting comments about the lack of true violence from female action heroes, comparing their ass-kicking to bloodless ballet, I found most of Karabel's article irritating. His assumption that the move to a more sexualized female action hero is a step in the right direction doesn't sit at all well with me, nor does his lauding of Pam Anderson's Barb Wire as the perfect heroine. But the article is still worth reading, if only for the (slightly dated, but fascinating sounding) references.
FYI, for those who don't want to slog through the piece, these are the references:
1. Mencimer, Stephanie. “Violent Femmes” Washington Monthly, September 2004, Pgs. 1-5
2. Arnold, Gina. “Badass Girls on Film” Salon.com, January 22, 2001. Pgs. 1-9
3. Edwards, Marlo. “The Blonde with the guns: Barb Wire and the Implausible Female Action Hero” Journal of Popular Film and Television, Spring 2004, Pgs. 1-9
Comments
Hey,
This is Adam Karabel. Glad you read my article and made a post about it. I appreciate constructive criticism good or bad.
A quick note on Barb Wire: I'm generally not a fan of the film. In that article I was trying to play devil's advocate and use what I felt was a very well-written article to address some good points on how that particular character was constructed. She's hardly the perfect heroine but I think what they were attempting to do in the film is intriguing.
I'd actually like to hear more detailed reasoning about what you felt were the flaws within my article.
Best,
AK
Posted by: Adan Karabel | October 31, 2006 4:04 PM
So, um, I know the whole sexual aspect is bad, and don't get me wrong, I agree 100%, but why don't you review Charlie's Angels. Three good action chicks, bad action chicks, a black Bosley, and an Asian Lucy Liu. Sure they're made out to be sex pots, but I'd like to read your thoughts.
Posted by: leo | October 6, 2007 3:56 PM