Gender representation in contemporary superhero films

sexuality original in contemporary superhero scudsRESEARCH PROPOSALGender representation in contemporary superhero movie theatresResearch QuestionHow sexuality representation is portrayed in the contemporary respond superhero films?Overview of the StudyThis project go forth be evaluating how sex activity representation portrayed in 21st hundred admiration superhero films. This research will concentrate on using curiositys The avenger (dir. Josh Whedon, 2012) which is the assemblage of all contemporary Marvels superhero make after ironman since 2008. Thompson (1999) and Bordwell (2006) both argued that Hollywood films often underscore on character traits. Contemporary Hollywood filmmaking tends to draw on certain(a) gender representational pattern of superhero is first and foremost a man. therefrom textual analysis will be employ to analyze how maleness and muliebrity determine be constructed among the main characters in the film.Aim ObjectivesThe aim of this admi t is to evaluate how gender representation portrayed in 21st vitamin C Marvel superhero films.The objective of this convey is to analyze how masculinity and femininity values are constructed among the main characters in 21st century Marvel superhero films. literary works ReviewIn the past seven years, majority number of megahit superhero doing menace films much(prenominal) as Batman, X-Men, Fantastic 4, Spiderman, Hellboy 1 and 2, lift, Ironman, and a host of other men have flown, stomped, fallen, and swung across screens in these Hollywood blockbusters (Stabile, 2009). In fact, Gray Kaklamanidou (2011) describes superhero as some peerless usually possesses a combining of mental and physical strength more than ordinary human world that fight against evil who will succeeds against all odds. These superhero characters are basically suit adapted from comic books. The characters in the film are presented in stereotypical direction such as either present male heroes and effe minate damsels such as Superman Returns (2006), the Spider-Man films (2002, 2004, 2007) or else allow for a some feminine superheroes as part of a male-run-crime-fighting collective, as in X-Men Films (2000, 2003, 2006), and the Fantastic Four franchise (2005, 2007).Gallagher (2006) described masculinity as a product in our culture the action film has historically been a male genre, transaction with stories of male heroism and women as peripheral princesses. However these attributes and behaviors tend to pitch over succession and are constantly under negotiation in the film. Furthermore as Benshoff Griffin (2009) argued that although there are slight variations keep be found in countless Hollywood films, the way of cinematically telltale(a) stories is basically the same today as it was in the 1930s. Classical Hollywood modality is alship tail assemblyal formulated to spoon-feed story information to the spectator, thus belongings everything clearly understood by the audienc e. For instance, Thompson (1999) and Bordwell (2006) both argued that Hollywood films often emphasize on character traits. Contemporary Hollywood filmmaking tends to draw on certain gender representational pattern of superhero is first and foremost a man. Besides, the superhero is an the Statesn creation, born on the eve of World War II (Gray Kaklamanidou, 2011). Therefore the place of superhero is always associated with typical masculinity traits while the characters in superhero film are portrayed in stereotypical manners.Interestingly, over the past few decades, various male-dominated Hollywood genres have been adapted for female executes. Benshoff Griffin (2009) explained that the accomplishment fiction action- menace film has also produced some strong female leads, contend most notably by Sigourney Weaver in the Alien Films (1979, 1986, 1992, 1997) as well as Jovovichs Alice in the Resident Evil film franchise (2002, 2004, 2007) has become the most financially successful female action character of the era. However, mainstream Hollywood entertainment still negotiates gender in ways that uphold and maintain patriarchal privilege (Cohan Hark, 1993). The nostalgic Hollywood blockbuster formula, with its stalwart male heroes, continues to drive the industry. Another way of looking at the gender representation in superhero film is that, Hollywood filmmaking tends to exploit voluptuous male bodies in action while female action adventure heroes with objectified sex appeal. As Benshoff Griffin (2009) argued that although more and more women are entry the Hollywood industry, the sexual objectification of female bodies tends to surround on the female lead while men tend to dominate the main role in superhero film.MethodologyGiven the exploratory nature of this study is to evaluate gender representation portrayed in 21st century Marvel superhero films it is proposed qualitative research method of textual analysis will be used to analyse the text in contempo rary Marvels superhero films. textual analysis in fact is research method of trying to specify something ab appear people by examining the content, structure, and functions of the messages contained in texts (Frey et al., 1999). In other words, textual analysis may use to describe and interpret the characteristics such as behavioral patterns, values and attitudes of a recorded or visual message.Marvels The Avenger (dir. Josh Whedon, 2012) will be selected to evaluate how masculinity and femininity values are constructed among the main characters. In fact, Marvels The Avenger is the assemblage of all contemporary Marvels superhero made after Ironman since 2008 (Marvel, 2012). This film basically consists of four main characters of Marvels superhero that are Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Thor. Furthermore, the film also features with other animate S.H.I.E.L.D agent Hawkeye and Blackwidow. Likewise, analyzing the text in the Marvels The Avenger provides the researcher the opportunities to study a few series of contemporary superhero film simultaneously.Indeed, textual analysis consists of both strengths and weaknesses in analysing the gender representation in the film. agree to Larsen (1991), textual analysis is able-bodied to bring out whole hightail it of possible meaning in the film content. It is also a favourite(a) method for identifying such latent meaning and a powerful tool for researchers who seek to produce theoretically valid interpretations of the targeted text. However, textual analysis necessitate an extremely close reading on the specific text (Frey et al., 1999). It is time consuming and has high maintenance need which the researcher is requires to set up the rules, such as coding.In fact, content analysis according to Weare Lin (2000) is able to determine the presence written and spoken chat or concepts in spite of appearance texts. However, it is obtrusive and a purely descriptive method which it unable to unveil underlyin g motives for the observed pattern (what but not why). Therefore as the objective of this study is to analyse the gender representation and characters role vie in the contemporary Marvels superhero films, the purpose of using textual analysis in this study is thus able to provide in-depth consciousness on the text.Marvels The AvengerIn fact, Marvels The Avengers is a 2012 American Hollywood film produced by Marvel studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. In fact, it is featuring with iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the undreamt of Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. Marvels The Avenger has been ranked as the third highest grossing film in worldwide. However it is evoke that 7 out of 8 leading are male while the only female lead is Scarlett Johansson who plays the role as Black Widow.Marvel Studios has released nine films since 2008 at bottom the Marvel Cinematic Universe Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010) , Thor (2011), Captain America The First Avenger (2011), Marvels The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013), Thor The Dark World (2013) and Captain America The Winter Soldier (2014) (Marvel, 2014).Significant of studySuperhero film is relatively one of the latest development trends in Hollywood film (Gray Kaklamanidou, 2011). However, there has been no much academic research made on superhero movie. It is believe that the change magnitude number of these films requires an in-depth academic study on the concept of superhero in this globalized club that is emphasize on gender equality. As Ryan Kellner (1990) argued that the representation of certain characters can work towards explaining the political social landscape the current time. It would be interesting to find out how men and women in these movies are represented how various characters are portrayed, using typically feminine and masculine traits. Therefore this study will contribute to the future research and literature relate d to gender in action and superhero film.Timeline of researchConclusionThis project will be evaluating how gender representation portrayed in 21st century Marvel superhero films by using Marvels The Avenger. Textual analysis is because it able to provide in-depth understanding and analysis on the gender representation and characters role played in the film. While the number of superhero is increase, this study serves as a fundamental literature thus able contributes to the future research on gender in action and superhero film.Bibliography ReferencesBENSHOFF, H. M, GRIFFIN, S. 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