movies/tv Anyone else sick of cookie cutter female leads in action movies?

[Moonflowerkitty 20]

It bothers me how so many of the female characters in action movies and stuff are like the same. The character is a attractive young adult, usually white woman, but the appearance isn't what really bugs me. It's the personality. They are often insensitive, confident, bold, "bad", flirty, athletic, "cool", etc, and act uninterested but fall in love with lead male. It's tiring. Where are the awkward, nerdy girls? Where's the emotional, artsy, unconfident girl who works to gain confidence? Where's the strategic girl who hates battle and tries to find better, more clever ways?

Anyone else feel similarly about it?

[Sceethe 704]

everywhere except in the mainstream action movies. you cant blame the producers for choosing the easy way to movie making, since it has been proven again and again that the formula works.

[Littlecandylulu903 415]

@@Moonflowerkitty,

 

Well, I'll admit that when she has a personality like you first described, it doesn't feel like she's oppressed.

[Eloquence 2,076]

I'm sick of cookie cutters everywhere, but yes here is definitely one of those places. Honestly, I've all but given up on Hollywood to provide much beyond pure visual spectacle anymore, I enjoy action movies sometimes, Marvel movies are usually cool for one, but I wish people weren't so afraid to try to run with a new idea every once in a while. 

[SkullcandyPegasus 603]

Basically ALL characters are cookie cutters in mainstream media. It's the same for most music; it just follows a "template," and then wham, number 1 on beatport.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

It bothers me how so many of the female characters in action movies and stuff are like the same. The character is a attractive young adult, usually white woman, but the appearance isn't what really bugs me. It's the personality. They are often insensitive, confident, bold, "bad", flirty, athletic, "cool", etc, and act uninterested but fall in love with lead male. It's tiring. Where are the awkward, nerdy girls? Where's the emotional, artsy, unconfident girl who works to gain confidence? Where's the strategic girl who hates battle and tries to find better, more clever ways?

Anyone else feel similarly about it?

A "strategic," battle-hating woman...  In an action movie?  The girl without any confidence at the start of an action movie...  Who learns to believe in herself while bullets fly and cars explode? xD  And never mind the female characters in those sorts of films; the dudes generally aren't any different.  I don't remember an action-y Arnold Schwarzenegger film where he was all (please read this in his voice), "I don't know if I can kill the bad guys with my bare hands.  I'm not sure I can shoot well enough and run away from explosions fast enough.  I need to take some time for myself to build up my self-confidence...  Really take a long, hard look at who I am on the inside."

 

The kind of characters you're describing - in the sort of films you mentioned - wouldn't fill theater seats as well.  Maybe they'd work in some unconventional, small-budget indie film.  But not in something that makes millions at the box office.

 

P.S. I take more issue with the female lead who's given the part simply because she's (supposedly) attractive.  Even if she possesses all the personality and acting ability of a comatose mime.  Speaking of which: Has anyone seen Megan Fox in the recent Ninja Turtles film? x )

Edited May 9, 2015 by Ziggy and Angelbaby

[Silver Letter 1,832]

I do agree. It should be seen as an insult to the audience since these empty character types are meant to be something the audience can relate to. So, it must mean that those responsible must not have a strong opinion of the people they are supposedly trying to pander to. Young women most of all in this case.

The kind of characters you're describing - in the sort of films you mentioned - wouldn't fill theater seats as well.  Maybe they'd work in some unconventional, small-budget indie film.  But not in something that makes millions at the box office.

It doesn't mean it's a problem with the characters that are not written as such. It's a problem with the audience. They need to change and accept change. If they do then the industry can move beyond these beaten tropes and maybe create something with substance.

[Dark Horse 12,961]

Cookie Cutters are just another unfortunate content of Hollywood's barrel of reusable assets, just give the people want they want, don't try to be innovative or nothin', it's bad for business.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

It doesn't mean it's a problem with the characters that are not written as such. It's a problem with the audience. They need to change and accept change. If they do then the industry can move beyond these beaten tropes and maybe create something with substance.

And how would one go about changing the mindset of an audience?  An audience that has been drawn to precisely the sort of films and cookie cutter characters this topic points to.  Give them something they don't necessarily want and refuse to turn back on principle?  "We can take huge losses if it means writing more unique and interesting characters...  That will ultimately be surrounded with combustible everything and a hail of gunfire."  Big studios (the types that pour ridiculous amounts of money into huge action films) don't usually take chances; they go with what has mass appeal / makes the most money NOW.

Cookie Cutters are just another unfortunate content of Hollywood's barrel of reusable assets, just give the people want they want, don't try to be innovative or nothin', it's bad for business.

I had quoted you, but I realized I misread your post. xD

Edited May 9, 2015 by Ziggy and Angelbaby

[Blue Moon 6,341]

Well, to be fair, characters in most action movies are pretty cookie-cutter. It's not really female-exclusive. However, that's not to say that all action films have generic characters; I have seen a few that do characters very well.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

 

 

Big studios (the types that pour ridiculous amounts of money into huge action films) don't usually take chances; they go with what has mass appeal / makes the most money NOW.

Yes. That's why most films are so terrible and have such awful characters and dialogue. And I am aware that it will never change.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

Yes. That's why most films are so terrible and have such awful characters and dialogue. And I am aware that it will never change.

There's always indie.  Those can be hit or miss, sure, but there are the indie gems with well-written characters, committed actors, and story lines that depart from the Hollywood norm.  Movies big studios simply aren't interested in making because they can't slather on the CG or 3D effects.

[Honsou 399]

It is called mainstream for a reason...

 

Kind of like in every mainstream action flick theres a guy, and a girl, and the guy shoots a lot of people, and gets the girl.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

It is called mainstream for a reason...

 

Kind of like in every mainstream action flick theres a guy, and a girl, and the guy shoots a lot of people, and gets the girl.

Too bad it can't be different. Like there are instead two women and instead of shooting a lot of people, it's a fine drama and in the end, they do something worthwhile like helping a young child escape from a war zone. Nobody would be 'getting' anybody. Or perhaps if there is a romance, then the film focuses on a building romance and not on violence which would be regulated to the background. And the romance would not be 'getting' but would be a relationship on its own merits. Perhaps a woman develops a friendship for a man and it becomes something different over time. Or a man tries to 'get' the 'girl' as the films normally do but kills people and ends up getting tried for war crimes and the woman realizes that she was better off without.

 

Any of those would make for a film far superior to what is out there.

[DND 2,355]

I can understand that she would need to be confident to properly take on and bring reality to the action movie but when they seem bossy and ambiguously all given the quality of them consistantly playing "hard to get", I can imagine that can get old. Men's roles are generally the same but I more often see a rarer but still inclusive take on the shyer and more innocent characters pushing themselves to survive with said males. The industry may think that men, "everyday" men would be more interested in relating to a weaker guy character if they happen to a protagonist as opposed to women. 

[Moonflowerkitty 20]

@@Moonflowerkitty,

 

Well, I'll admit that when she has a personality like you first described, it doesn't feel like she's oppressed.

What do you mean? Are you implying that the other more realistic ideas I had for a character seem like they're being oppressed? I'm just trying to get what you mean.

A "strategic," battle-hating woman...  In an action movie? 

 

Well, consider Hermione in Harry Potter. She was not exactly battle hating, but more strategic and depended on her smarts more than her brawn. Look how successful those are! Not exactly action, but still

[kanashimi purinsesu 244]

They have their place since I enjoy watching those generic Hollywood films containing them but it would be awesome to see some more variety. Like Ugly Betty a few years ago and Amethyst from Steven Universe and also Star Butterfly from Star vs the Forces of Evil. In video games there are a few examples as well such as Sam from Life is Strange and Elizabeth from Bioshock Infinite.

 

Forgot to mention anime has a lot of examples too. Maybe not action filled (can't think of any off of the top of me head but i don't watch a lot of anime) but Konata from Lucky Star and Kuroki Tomoko from Watamote. Their problems might not be world ending but they are still very relatable. Kuroki for me in every which way possible.

Edited May 10, 2015 by kanashimi purinsesu