Super Bitches and Action Babes : The Female Hero in Popular Cinema, 1970-2006

With actress Pam Grier's breakthrough in __Coffy__ and __Foxy Brown__, women entered action, science fiction, war, westerns and martial arts films--genres that had previously been considered the domain of male protagonists. This ground-breaking cinema, however, was--and still is--viewed with ambivalence.While women were cast in new and exciting roles, they did not always arrive with their femininity intact, often functioning both as a sexualized spectacle and as a new female hero rather than female character. This volume contains an in-depth critical analysis and study of the female hero in popular film from 1970 to 2005. It examines five female archetypes: the dominatrix, the Amazon, the daughter, the mother and the rape-avenger. The entrance of the female hero into films written by, produced by and made for men is viewed through the lens of feminism and post-feminism arguments. Analyzed works include films with actors Michelle Yeoh and Meiko Kaji, the __Alien__ films, the __Lara Croft__ franchise, __Charlie's Angels,__ and television productions such as __Xena: Warrior Princess__ and __Alias.__ With Actress Pam Grier's Breakthroughs In Coffy And Foxy Brown, Women Entered Action, Science Fiction, War, Westerns And Martial Arts Films--genres That Had Previously Been Considered The Domain Of Male Protagonists. This Ground-breaking Cinema Is Still Viewed With Ambivalence. This Work Examines Five Female Archetypes: Dominatrix, Amazon, Daughter, Mother And Rape-avenger--provided By Publisher. Female Heroes In An Age Of Ambivalence -- The Rise Against Men -- Godmother Of Them All : The Rise And Fall Of Pam Grier -- A Pure Dominatrix : Ilsa, She-wolf Of The Ss -- Enough! : Birth Of The Rape-avenger -- From The Margins -- Meiko Kaji : Woman With A Vengeance -- Beautiful Vase Made Of Iron And Steel : Michelle Yeoh -- Failed Female Hero? : Queen Of Martial Arts Cynthia Rothrock -- Into The Action -- Sigourney Weaver : The Alien Series And The Mother Archetype -- Daddy's Action Girl : Nikita And The Daughter Archetype -- The Warrior And The Wardrobe : The Amazon Hero -- Age Of Ambivalence -- Disturbing Creature : The Female Soldier In The War Film -- The Action Star Persona Of Milla Jovovich -- High Trash Heroines : Lara, Beatrix, And Three Angels. Rikke Schubart. Includes Filmography: P. 319-323. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 345-352) And Index. With actress Pam Grier's breakthrough in Coffy and Foxy Brown , women entered action, science fiction, war, westerns and martial arts films--genres that had previously been considered the domain of male protagonists. This ground-breaking cinema, however, was--and still is--viewed with ambivalence. While women were cast in new and exciting roles, they did not always arrive with their femininity intact, often functioning both as a sexualized spectacle and as a new female hero rather than female character. This volume contains an in-depth critical analysis and study of the female hero in popular film from 1970 to 2005. It examines five female archetypes: the dominatrix, the Amazon, the daughter, the mother and the rape-avenger. The entrance of the female hero into films written by, produced by and made for men is viewed through the lens of feminism and post-feminism arguments. Analyzed works include films with actors Michelle Yeoh and Meiko Kaji, the Alien films, the Lara Croft franchise, Charlie's Angels, and television productions such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Alias. With actress Pam Grier's breakthrough in Coffy and Foxy Brown, women entered action, science fiction, war, westerns and martial arts films--genres that had previously been considered the domain of male protagonists. This ground-breaking cinema, however, was--and still is--viewed with ambivalence. While women were cast in new and exciting roles, they did not always arrive with their femininity intact, often functioning both as a sexualized spectacle and as a new female hero rather than female character. This volume contains an in-depth critical analysis and study of the female hero in popular film from 1970 to 2006. It examines five female archetypes: the dominatrix, the Amazon, the daughter, the mother and the rape-avenger. The entrance of the female hero into films written by, produced by and made for men is viewed through the lens of feminism and post-feminism arguments. Analyzed works include films with actors Michelle Yeoh and Meiko Kaji, the Alien films, the Lara Croft franchise, Charlie's Angels, and television productions such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Alias. "With actress Pam Grier's breakthrough in Coffy and Foxy Brown, women entered action, science fiction, war, westerns and martial arts films, genres that had previously been considered the male domain. This cinema, however, is still viewed with ambivalence. This in-depth critical analysis studies the female hero in popular film from 1970-2006. It examines five female archetypes: the dominatrix, the Amazon, the daughter, the mother and the rape-avenger"--Back cover