One of the big arguments around the site this week has been female superheroes. Some people think we need more of them, others think we don’t. Who’s right? I’m not stating my opinion, but I think a lot more people are burning Josh Tyler in effigy than Katey Rich.
The basis of the argument seems to come from the fact that most people remember Wonder Woman, Catwoman, and Elektra as strong female superheroes, but not much else. If that’s the only characters to chose from, then you’d be right - we need more. After all, that’s a cross-section represented by two failed films and a ‘70s television series. But those aren’t the only female heroes out there, as this week’s Double Feature sets out to remind us. They’re blonde, they’re super-powered, and they’ll kick your butt if you step out of line.
Supergirl
Kara’s adventure on film may not live up to the better of her cousin Kal-El’s movies, but I hope most can agree it’s better than having Richard Pryor as a villain. Supergirl sees another survivor of Krypton come to Earth, this time to save a lost power source of a Krypton refuge society. Making this a true “girl’s movie,” the villain comes in female form as well, with Faye Dunaway appearing a lot more malevolently than Gene Hackman did in either of Supes’ movies (although she doesn’t hold a candle to Superman II’s Ursa). The fact that Christopher Reeve bowed out from appearing in the movie and Warner Brothers shelved the picture for some time is proof that the film didn’t live up to commercial expectations, but it’s still a heck of a lot better than Elektra and Halle Berry’s Catwoman combined.
Before she got all angsty and the supernatural world became an extended metaphor for high school, Buffy was just a cheerleader who suddenly discovers she has all sorts of powers for fighting the undead. Sure, it lacks the depth of Joss Whedon’s eventual vision and a lot of fans would rather this movie, changed so much it lacks most of Whedon’s original plan, didn’t exist, but I still like it. I mean, what’s not to like: Paul Reubens as a vampire who overacts his own demise, Rutger Hauer as the leader of the undead, Donald Sutherland as the weird old dude / Watcher, David Arquette as a more recent convert to the vampire side of things? And, of course, the macho Luke Perry putting his pride aside to be rescued by a girl. If you want a solid example of a female superhero, you could do a lot worse than the original Buffy.
Other super-powered heroines: The Incredibles, Mystery Men, My Super-Ex Girlfriend, Hancock, Ultraviolet, Batman Returns, Fantastic Four, The Powerpuff Girls, Black Scorpion, X2, but not so much Elektra or Catwoman - this column has to have some standards!
Enjoy our Double Feature suggestions? and maybe we’ll use them in a future column.
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