[Contains Spoilers - Obviously]
The new young hot Superman doesn’t distract from the blatantly obvious tones of the stereotypical “brainless woman.” In fact my use of the word “tones,” is generous.
I want to start… I know Superman is based on a comic book and the characters may be completely based off those characters… but come on… they took it too far. And I didn’t read those comic books… and who has? (probably some people but I don't know them)
If you like action packed movies with good plots and fighting then you'll probably like this one. If you like superman, then you'll definitely love this movie. If you like a movie with a CGI adorable crazy dog, then you'll enjoy this movie. If you want to see a movie that has any resemblance to a ‘competent’ woman… maybe pick a different film.
Now, that statement is a little harsh. I’ll be the first to say it, but it’s sadly true. Not to say I didn’t like the movie, I actually think this was one of the first action sci fi movies I’ve seen in awhile that didn’t follow the exact same plot. It is still an action movie though, the bad guy loses the good guy wins, even if they got there in a “different” way.
When will we be rid of remaking the same movie over and over again? Probably never. I’m just glad this one took even a small approach of difference… but let's be honest, If you like these kinds of movies. You're going to watch it either way.
To be completely transparent, I am a feminist but I also enjoy a good action, sci fi, adventure movie, but this movie at every turn was amplifying the idea of the dumb female character stereotype, with the only exception being Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, EVERY other female character is pictured as either this dumb incompetent blond or an unliked ‘crazy’ girl.
Are we surprised that this movie doesn't pass the bechdel test? Not at All. However, the ONLY conversation that happens between two women are Lois and her colleague Cat Grant, played by Mikaela Hoover who’s pictured at this bleach blond, tits out, dim journalist and the only thing they talk about is a man and who they're dating in a scene that I would say was less than 20 seconds.
Other women portrayed in this film, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl. She is portrayed as a teenager, quick remarks, doesn't really listen to anyone type girl, unliked/ignored by the people around her. Maria Gabriela de Faria as Angela Spica or The Engineer, is fine, I wouldn't say they make her seem dumb but she literally is being controlled by Lex Louthor the whole time and when she showed ANY sense of sharing her own thoughts was shut down instantly. Oh and then… Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Lex’s girlfriend who is this “dumb social influencer type,” but shows a little resemblance of competence when she actually has all the information to help the journalists at the Daily Planet. But with this competence, she’s actually doing it all for a man… that doesn’t even want her and literally tells her that, that man would be Jimmy Olsen *eye roll he seems like a jerk.
And then… Milly Alcock makes a cameo appearance as supergirl at the end… drunk. Apparently, she’s been away on a ‘red sun’ planet to get drunk because they can't get drunk on a yellow star planet. This is where we learn that the dog that superman has been taking care of is actually hers while she’s been gone. Supergirl then stumbles off, yelling back to Clark something of the sense of Thanks for watching the dog, bitch…Not kidding.
In addition to the stereotypical female characters… don't worry there’s more. We get to hear from and see Clark Kent’s parents on a few occasions. Once in a scene where they're talking to Clark on the phone, and Ms. Kent is literally yelling through the phone like she’s ordering food in a drive thru… and the other when Lois brings Kent home after being injured by Lex’s minions. During this small time when Clark returns home his parents are portrayed as these unintelligent country ‘hicks.’ It was definitely a choice. One I don’t really understand. Is this how they are in the comic books? Why have they never been played like this in other movies… this seemed like an extreme.
I make these strong opinions about how the movie, in a way, really hurts the narrative of women in films. However, I can appreciate and understand the humor in it sometimes. I just wished there were less sexualized and less “crazy girlfriend” characters in every superhero movie. Is that too much to ask?
More incomplete comments down below.
Green Lantern was in the movie… his hair was so bad and goofy as hell they even made a joke about it in the movie.
During all of this, even when Superman was taken into custody… no one ever asked where Clark Kent was. I mean obviously everyone he works with has to know who he is or they literally didn't care to ask like “Hey, where’s Kent, he didn't want to come into work today… seems like a big day,” his editor didn't even ask where he was, and I find that hard to believe.
I also think this about superhero movies but like… this seemed like an all hands on deck kind of global issue… where was every other metahuman?
Last thing.
This movie annoyed the hell out of me for the reasons above. But it is actually pretty good…