Wednesday, June 4, 2014

X-Men Days of Future...what the fuck?



Don't worry- this post isn't a movie review. I feel as if I should preface this with a Sarkeesian-esque disclaimer about how you can be critical of something while still be a fan and participate. I love the X-Men, and I had a fantastic time watching X-Men Days of Future Past. However, after my second viewing, I noticed a couple of "what the fuck" events that I wish to discuss. If you haven't seen the movie and don't want to be spoiled, please turn away.
First and foremost- this movie completely FAILS the Bechdel test because at no point do two women converse. In fact, only Mystique had any substantial lines.

Second. This movie employed over 15,000 people. Did no one voice any concerns to "Operation: Protect Whitie"? In the future story line- The mutant rebels are making their last stand at a temple in China. Inside the temple are Kitty Pryde and Wolverine (who are connected due to her phasing his consciousness back in time), Professor Xavier, Magneto and Iceman. Outside defending the temple are Storm, Colossus, Warpath, Sunspot, Blink, and Bishop. Notice anything strange here? Did no one notice that all the racial minorities were outside while the white folk were inside? Could they not switch out Iceman for Sunspot? Or perhaps Storm could have been the last line of defense seeing as she had the most diverse  and powerful powerset?

Third and most tragic. The deaths- The future mutants all died tragically. Anyone who read the comics knew the cards were stacked against them. However, the means to which they met their ends should raise a few eyebrows. Why is it that the female mutants, Blink and Storm, were both impaled by Sentinels while the males, Iceman, Sunspot, Colossus, Warpath, and Bishop were either decapitated, shot, or burnt to a crisp? In fact, at her second death poor Blink was impaled simultaneously by multiple Sentinels. Did no one voice concerns that this could be seen as violent sexual imagery? No one? Also, Blink and Storm's death scenes lingered, with Storm slowly being thrown off the temple cliffs and Blink looking directly into the camera after being penetrated by three Sentinels, whereas the men were one and done.

I still enjoyed the movie and look forward to 2016's Apocalypse. I'm hoping now the franchise is reset the focal point in future films will be more than just three white men (Magneto, Prof X, Wolverine).

Cheers!

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