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Thor's Appreciation Day
Dec. 6th, 2012 08:38 amHere’s an interesting review of Thor - Is "Thor" a feminist movie? Yes!
The author makes a lot of good points. Ones that caught my eye in particular are:
Another way in which Thor breaks down sexist narratives is by challenging the traditional hypermasculinity of the superhero. Thor is built like a tank and possesses strength, courage and supernatural power. But his character is achingly vulnerable: he tears up when Loki visits him on Earth, asking plaintively if he may please return home (it broke my fucking heart, you guys, you don’t even know). And his vulnerability does not make him weak! Indeed, it is Thor’s transition from arrogance and bravado to humility and vulnerability that permits him to regain his powers and wield Mjolnir again.
This, right here, is why I love the character of Thor so much when I tend to be at best indifferent to and at worst annoyed by any other superheroes.
Not only does the narrative treat Jane, Darcy and Sif with the respect they deserve, but so does the cinematography. Sif, Jane and Darcy are never panned over by male characters, nor presented for the audience’s visual consumption. […] In fact, it is Thor’s body that is panned over to show to the audience that Darcy and Jane are very attracted to him. For the first time in a mainstream superhero movie, ladies and gentlemen, I give you: the heterosexual female gaze! […]The female characters also wear clothing that is realistic and appropriate!
Now, can you think of anyone worse suited to direct the sequel to this than the director of Game of Thrones? Seriously, I half expect scenes of Jane, Sif, and/or Darcy randomly making out… And a lot of naked female extras – one of the casting calls was for “girls with hot bodies who don’t mind showing skin” after all. My only hope is that Marvel will somehow keep him in check. That’s one case of studio interference that I would really welcome...
The author makes a lot of good points. Ones that caught my eye in particular are:
Another way in which Thor breaks down sexist narratives is by challenging the traditional hypermasculinity of the superhero. Thor is built like a tank and possesses strength, courage and supernatural power. But his character is achingly vulnerable: he tears up when Loki visits him on Earth, asking plaintively if he may please return home (it broke my fucking heart, you guys, you don’t even know). And his vulnerability does not make him weak! Indeed, it is Thor’s transition from arrogance and bravado to humility and vulnerability that permits him to regain his powers and wield Mjolnir again.
This, right here, is why I love the character of Thor so much when I tend to be at best indifferent to and at worst annoyed by any other superheroes.
Not only does the narrative treat Jane, Darcy and Sif with the respect they deserve, but so does the cinematography. Sif, Jane and Darcy are never panned over by male characters, nor presented for the audience’s visual consumption. […] In fact, it is Thor’s body that is panned over to show to the audience that Darcy and Jane are very attracted to him. For the first time in a mainstream superhero movie, ladies and gentlemen, I give you: the heterosexual female gaze! […]The female characters also wear clothing that is realistic and appropriate!
Now, can you think of anyone worse suited to direct the sequel to this than the director of Game of Thrones? Seriously, I half expect scenes of Jane, Sif, and/or Darcy randomly making out… And a lot of naked female extras – one of the casting calls was for “girls with hot bodies who don’t mind showing skin” after all. My only hope is that Marvel will somehow keep him in check. That’s one case of studio interference that I would really welcome...
