I remember when the Mass Effect movie was officially announced by Bioware way back in May 24th, 2010 and where the project stands now is still in the early stages of development with no director or actors cast. The mystery in limbo is gradually eating away at me despite the fact that I am in no way excited for this production at all and I have remind myself that the creation of Pacific Rim took 7 years. Mass Effect is a huge game franchise that I believe many will have divided opinions on in terms of how the storytelling and pacing should affect its transition into cinema. And while nothing of recent has been confirmed the only attribute that is set in stone is the fact that the Shepard we're going to be following will be male.
When I first heard this it honestly didn't bother me, but now in retrospect it currently reminds me of the rejection publishers made to the lead character, Nillin of Remember Me. All simply based on the fact of her gender.
And now it dawned on me. Cinema politics can be just as complicated and messy as videogame politics, if not more so. A subtle point of discrimination is usually an even more dangerous one than a blatantly open statement, because you can't see it yet it's underlying in meaning. That being said I'm not accusing them of such but it does bring a few questions to mind.
It's no revelation that this generations endorsement for movie consumerism relies heavily on the concept of sequels and name branding. It's an issue that can be taken in both positive and negative lights.
Seriously? Thor, Hawkeye you realize that no one gives a fuck right?
The association of continual added spectacles has lead to the molding of a rather mosaic landscape of worthwhile movies that all rely on mass doses of escapism. Most of which will be or already are - processed into facets of sequels or additions of some form.
The biggest example of success when it comes to such strategies is the surge of Marvel films that all have the power to stand on their own merit but ultimately converge to create 'The Avengers' as a point of reference. Marvels' concept of fleshing out a world is much different as that it supersedes the idea of sequels.
What I like to call the term, 'Rebranding' has also become a popular task in the post-modern world which seems to be coming back with a vengeance in the near future. The cultural movie icons referring to likes of classic personages such as, Predators, Terminators and even Jurassic Park dinosaurs are scheduled to make a return. Whether we truly want them or not is besides the point. The expectancy that such situations are bound to happen is what should be dully noted. It's an occurrence that has already happened and history tends to repeats itself.
Regardless, these movies are all continuing to be made due to their story, popularity, high grossing income and a loyal fanbase - while others have been weeded out. This generation is actually a generation that has embraced the ideology of sequelism because it has finally achieved fruit for many. One that I at many a times happen to be inclined to agree and I can look no further than my excitement for Thor: The Dark World.
There's the prevalent Marvel Universe, unexpected Star Trek franchise, rebirthing of DC cinema, a Planet filled with Apes, looming Avatar sequels, rambunctious Expendables, continuous Fast and Furious, tactfully extorted Star Wars, more random rampages from Machete and the flagship, Pirates of the Caribbean.
I've come to accept that sequels will continue and without a doubt many are excellent. But getting to the root topic what do all these titles have in common?
None of these titles represent a sole female lead. And for all the success that Marvel truly is, the woman 'Black Widow' is a character that has never had a true movie representation of her own. To be fair Natasha Romanova is an inspiringly layered character and by far one of my favorite female figures in Marvel history; it's unfortunate that she has had her debut as someone on the side and continues to do so with her presence to come in Captain America: The Winter Solider. She not only she represents a woman who can fight but also is the perfect figure when it comes to representing the morally ambiguous area of grey that separates her from the rest of the Avengers. Such attributes are intriguing and should not go to waste.
The iconic heroine figure Uhara of Star Trek, who is amazingly brought to life by Zoe Saldana has now become nothing more than the romantic catalyst for Spock. It meant a lot to me when she was voted as Number. 1 most popular female character in regards to science fiction and fantasy entertainment in 2012. Being a completely die-hard fan of hers' I felt the lack of individuality and sophistication to her within the sequel. To say I was simply disappointed would be a great understatement.
Neytiri possibly follows into this category, and though she is independent, isn't controlled by the men of her tribe, teaches Jake to see things the way she does, is in touch with her natural surroundings, hunts, kills, and fends for herself without the assistance of men. Her relation to keeping to character for the sequel doesn't look so bright. It can't be ignored that she does represent the stereotypical role of 'Lover of the Hero who just happens to have gone Native.’
That being said on the flip side, what main heroines do we have?
Well, the first protagonist to come to mind would instantaneously be Alice from the Resident Evil movies for all the wrong reasons. There hasn’t been a single movie I liked except for two but even then, she represents a narrative with too many plot holes to count. Not only do they butcher the lore of the games, but they also own the rights to so many ideas within the zombie genre that frankly goes to pathetic waste. With all that being said, I do respect Milla Jovovich and I’m mildly interested with her inclusion to the third round of Expendables. Though I guess she has this dreadfully horrible series to thank for that.
And then the time before Twilight, ‘Underworld’s Selene played by Kate Beckinsale. Throughout the whole series, she was probably the only character I found not to be miscast in some point or form. There’s a lack of character development but her icy composure and kickassery is played well in the first movie. However there’s nothing of improvement after that and even worse she simply becomes the character arch type of ‘hot girl in leather suit’ with stories that equate to nothing or are just complete bullshit. In fact there are so many problems with it as simply a series that you can even compare these two cinematic messes in their likeness.
Alice?!... Oh, it's you Selene. Sorry, I didn't realize you weren't the only one stuck in a freezer naked.
The only interesting aspect to the films, other than its odd dance around its love interest in absentia, are its retro qualities -- these days, all the other werewolves and vampires seem to be too busy trying to date gloomy-eyed teenagers with buck teeth instead of clashing in tastefully grimy underground lairs with claws and double-fisted guns.
So to make my point very clear, there hasn’t been a movie series with a consistently awesome female protagonist that holds it’s own.
First off this has absolutely nothing to do with being against John Shepard in comparison to Femshep because essentially they are the same person. The greatest attribute to the Mass Effect trilogy was that, romantic options aside the powerful story always stayed true in one form.
And given, IF the movie plays well to absorbing the amount of depth within the story of Mass Effect and hones it, this could have very well been the chance for a female lead to take action and become a positive addition to the world of cinema. Because while hypothetically speaking, say there is a possibility of Femshep being portrayed as having a romance within the movie, it automatically takes a stage down because she’s the main character. For any of you that I've had the privilege of having this discussion with - As I’ve said time and again, if you depict your female characters, no matter how empowered, as only talking to men and not other women, it reinforces the notion that women’s lives revolve around men. Even when women possess agency and intelligence and a budding career, Star Trek Into Darkness for example perpetuates the trope that women are not complete or whole unless they’re helping a man, looking sexy for a man, or a man stands at their side.
Mass Effect is a narrative that's just as character driven as it's blood pumping. With Femshep automatically associating herself with her colleagues it's obvious that she'll be interacting with other women with different personalities and ambitions (ex. Ashley, Jack, Miranda, Tali, etc); while still pertaining to the fact that she interacts with men just as much.
Summer after summer, Hollywood shoves us with many (white and heterosexual) male lead action films. The same message is being sent: girls can’t and don’t live adventures, they’re just sidekicks and love interests. This is so sad. Little diversity is one big problem in Hollywood and in games that remains consistent.
Hypothetically speaking, if a Mass Effect movie were to become a success with a female character, - with the proper writers to build a concise trilogy – it would definitely mean something to see a recurring face on screen that’s of my gender. One who succeeds in spearheading a whole new opportunity for women in lead roles in relation to adventurous/action movies. Having female Shepard would stand out. I don’t know why studio bosses have zero balls to try and make a different action film. Has the likes of Ellen Ripley been all but forgotten?
Bustin' a cap in yo' ass since before yo' even knew ya had one! Suckaaa~!
We have so much diversity in the world and when this diversity is not shown on the media, we’ve got a problem. Most leads of action films are male, white and heterosexual. This is ridiculous. We have black people, we have women, we have gays, bisexuals, pansexuals. Why can’t a hero be a black girl, for example? Or an Asian man?
I think we, as human beings, are always trying to improve our world and our society. We’re not going to improve the world by not taking risks and not changing what we think is wrong. I think the lack of diversity in western media is wrong. Let’s try to change it and not simply saying “the world is like this. The guys from the studios don’t wanna take risks”. If everyone thought “the world is like this”, the world would never change.
But to boil it all down for my part, even though I am a huge fan of the Mass Effect franchise, I don’t know if I will be able to bring myself to see the film. It’s a simple business decision to make movie Shepard male rather than female. They’re taking the “safest” route and at some point I have to take a step back and say that I can’t blame them and heck, if a Mass Effect movie actually manages to be quality it would be a triumph even with a bog standard straight white American male. And while I still persist that the world should change its views, Mass Effect is a series so close to my heart I would rather not see it ruined and would prefer for them to try my wishes on something else. Having Morgan Davis Foehl (Click, I Announce You Chuck & Larry) confirmed as screenwriter is already a disaster waiting to happen.