So I finally sat down and read *all* of Steven Barnes criticisms of Hancock. And all I can say is...wow. Dude, tell me how you really feel!
I never been one to shy away for looking at themes of racism or sexism, etc in books or movies. From Tolkien's "slant eyed orcs" and evil Southrons to even the very progressive Matrix's use of Morpheus as second fiddle/wise sage to the "Ameri-asian but perceived as white" Keanu Reeves, I've waded into that side of the pool more than once. Give me a soapbox, and I'll drone on about everything from swarthy noble savage Klingons to Storm's ridiculous blue eyes. In fact, I've personally ranted about just that: http://www.playahata.com/pages/morpheus/xmen.htm And Frank Miller's 300, set to film, I gleefully ripped to shreds: http://morpheusrevolutions.blogspot.com/2007/04/300-spartans-1- million-persians.html But I must be getting soft in my 30-somethingness, cuz I'm jes not as up in arms about Hancock as some are. No one beat me, but I actually...umm...enjoyed it. Racial undertones in there? Sure, I guess. One could see that--or not. Some of the points made by Barnes, and many others, are interesting and I think deserve discussion. Others kind of venture into as much over-reach as Martin Lawrence's Boomerang character talking about the "fear of black balls." I jes keep reminding myself that the comic book world--especially beyond marvel and dc--are filled with shady characters, even anti-heroes. I saw Will Smith's role as just that...and kinda liked he wasn't a boyscout like Supes, or the typical rich playboy like Wayne or Starks. Was the jail scene questionable? Sure. Did I slightly roll my eyes as he sacrificed himself for the blonde chick? Yep. Did I find it suspect that they only "inferred" racism with the attack Hancock suffered in Florida's past, rather than addressed it fully? Sure. But those offenses, imho, are almost minor...and hardly so cut and dry for me to become overly adamant about. I don't even know how to approach the bit about "why can't Will have sex--especially with his white female co-stars." Not sure where exactly that's supposed to be going... I'm still waitin for Geordi Laforge and the sexless mammy figure of Guinan to get some! Not saying that the comic book world doesn't have its share of playing to common stereotypes. For too many if they're not from some slum or the other (X-Men's Bishop even comes from a future slum), they're either stuck protecting it (i.e., Spawn), or will eventually be forced to sully their hands in it (Storm with a mohawk in the Morlock tunnels) at some point. Either that or they're quickly driven to rage by racism or turned into angry killing machines (Martha Washington, Deathlok, etc). And Hollywood, well...they're just the gift that keeps on giving as Barnes points out. But that of all films--Hancock--would create all this backlash, I just don't get it. Oh well, one man's suspicious seeming "dread locked" alien hunter is another man's uber-cool Predator...so who am I to tell others to not be offended. I welcome Barne's criticisms, even if I don't fully agree, or fully understand, some of it. Sin --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > On Behalf Of Chris Hayden > Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 8:57 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [SciFiNoir Lit] Steve Barnes on Hancock > > > > http://darkush.blogspot.com/2008/07/hancock-2008.html > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >
