Mad Max vs. Angry Aaron
UPDATE:
Now that I have actually seen Mad Max: Fury Road, I can say with confidence that this motion picture seems, or strives, to be a piece of feminist literature by a male who collaborated with females to achieve it. Differences in terminology are important. If we are to call literature propaganda, and if we are to boycott something for its themes, symbols, and irony, we are just a few subtle regressive mutations away from burning books.
Luckily, no number of Men’s Rights Activists (whether they identify with the term or not), can derail the success of Mad Max, and that was never really a fear from my standpoint.
What bothers me most regarding this particular topic — and let this be my pre/post thesis statement — is that any knuckle-head who believes in segregating or quarantining Action movies (or any genre) from notions of Feminism is not only exhibiting a pristine and disgusting form of disrespect, but it is also artistically, socially, and personally limiting. If you never wanted to see the movie, that’s one thing. Not your cup of tea? Don’t drink it. But if you are refusing to see an entertaining movie — one that you previously wanted to see — on the grounds that it is “too feminist”, what you are saying is that you literally won’t even entertain the thought.
It’s one of the best action movies ever made. Yes, with a strong female lead. And, yes, she isn’t presented in a way that is meant to arouse you. If those are deal-breakers for you… YIKES, dude.
