Females In Action Movies example essay topic

Description: The aim of this report is to determine how both males and females are portrayed / stereotyped in the action genre and to obtain a general view on how people feel about these portrayals. The report will also ascertain as to why these stereotypes are found in action movies. Through the research done, an assessment and recommendation will be given with regard to this particular topic. Methodology: Numerous mediums were used to gather the necessary research to fulfill the aims of the report. The main sources of information were gathered from books that I have on the topic as well as various web pages on the Internet. Other sources included a questionnaire that I used to gather views about the relevant topic, informal discussions and from certain films that pertain to the research.

To reach a conclusion as to how genders are stereotyped in action films, I gathered information from film study books. These proved to have been more than adequate as they covered the subject in meticulous detail. The Internet was used to find a reason as to why genders are stereotyped and the questionnaires were key in achieving an opinion as to how these stereotypes are received by viewers. Findings: Male action heroes tend to act to reinforce their patriarchal stand in masculinity. They rescue women, proving themselves protectors of women. They are proven desirable to women.

Another thing that male heroes seem to have in common is that they are often symbols and not actors. They tend to take on physically demanding roles in each movie and often fit the stereotype of built up men with muscles rippling and guns blazing although this is not always the case. Females in action movies are stereotyped in a completely different way to men. Findings all show that women are depicted as weak and dependent on men to save them from a situation in which they cannot help themselves. Even heroines are frequently getting rescued in the final scene.

As motivation for violence -- violence against women is the trigger for the (male) heroes' violence, which is what the audience came to see. In this respect, the rape, abuse, murder, whatever, is a 'good' thing -- it causes a desired response. Female roles provide a second level of appeal. Rather than only the identifications and envy of hero, the male directed camera portrays desire of female.

The women are attractive not only to the hero, but to the audience, in an attempt to make the film attractive. Many popular movies have been criticized for promoting girls to look a certain way. It is estimated that the female body type presented in movies such as Men In Black and Bond Movies only make up about 9% of the total female population. The answers to the questionnaire showed a general consensus amongst those interviewed that these portrayals of the sexes are in fact verifiable and quite common as 80% of those interviewed said that men were cast as heroic, muscular and aggressive characters while women's roles were limited to those of a helpless trophy girl or a sex goddess.

The general feeling, however, was against the stereotypes and that they should not be allowed to progress any further (73% voted against the stereotypes).