To be a women in an action movie there are four rules, she must be attractive, she must be skinny, she must have big boobs, and she must wear clothes that show a lot of skin. Women have slowly become main roles in action films, but the only reason for the success of these films was the high sexualized leading women. The women do not need to be masculine to succeed in these action film roles, rather their curvy womanly frames and sexy attire are enough for these actresses to succeed. These films have to present a front to both men and women to make them successful. Why do women watch these shows? Well women watch them because they get to see women playing roles typically given to men, presenting a kind of liberation for women. Allowing women to feel strong and capable of doing what men do. Why do men watch these films? Men watch these films because the leading women are attractive, the film focuses more on the sexuality of the women, slowing down fight scenes, capturing these women in action. These action poses are often very sexual, which draw men into the film. But isn't this in a sense exploiting woman's bodies on the big screen and further putting them into a place beneath men, not actually liberating them? I would definitely have to agree. Woman are successful in this genre of movies not because of being capable, besides can woman really out fight men almost twice their weight and strength, typically not. It does not mean that women are less then men, but physical strength is not an area where women can typically dominate men.
Women's upper body strength for example in comparison with men is significantly weaker, women tend have stronger lower body strength. It does not mean then women are weak, but in a fight between a man and woman, most often the man is going to win. I will agree sometimes its enjoyable to watch an action movie with a woman as the leading role. Its entertaining to watch as she dominates in the fight scenes most often against other men. So maybe that's another reason for any success of these films in the action genre.
Wow. I also chose those three movies to put visuals up for so I do agree with what you said about them being highly sexualized, especially with what they wear. I can't speak for all women but I do know that I do go to watch these films because the lead is a woman and because she seems to kick butt. In most parts she is but when she needs help from a man or is dependent of one I think that makes her lose her power a bit. When have you ever seen a man need a woman to save his life? It may happen but if it does it is rare.
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