Lara Croft:Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith with Angelina Jolie

Along with Milla Jovovich from the previous blog post, there is another female actress who has brought block buster films to Hollywood, Angelina Jolie. Probably one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie has shown her feisty and seductive personality throughout her action movies such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Who would have known that these “harmless” movies offend women with female stereotypes?

(Jolie showed strong character in numerous movies)

One of Jolie’s debut films in the action film industry was the Lara Croft: Tomb Raiders. The movie series were influenced by the release of Tomb Raider game in 1996. Angelina Jolie, in my opinion, was a fantastic person to play as Lara Croft. First, the actual game character looks like Angelina Jolie. Second, Jolie was able to successfully portray the similar action scenes from the game. Third, Jolie was also able to say her lines in dialogues exactly like Lara Croft giving audience the satisfaction to the question: “What would Lara Croft be like if she was a real person?”

(Starting her debut as an action character!)

The movie was a huge success which profited double of its original budget. Jolie’s action scenes and her distinct character have brought joy and amusement to viewers. However, similar to Resident Evil and Ultraviolet, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was unable to hide female stereotypes and their male gaze components.

Just like Resident Evil and Ultraviolet, the biggest male gaze component of the movie was clothing. Tights..Tights? In adventure movie, you would wear tights? If tights were best clothing for action adventure, why weren’t U.S. marines wearing tights during the war against terrorists over the past years? If I was a U.S. general, I would make wearing tights in a battle field to be mandatory because that would “enhance” soldiers’ movements.

(Can such tight-fitting improve your movement? I don't know, ask Angelina Jolie!)

About four years after having success with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Jolie shot another movie which showed her feisty and energetic character. Critics view Lara Croft: Tomb Raider to be the turning point for Jolie’s character as an adventurous and action-filled character. In my opinion, Jolie’s character shift was shown on the next film of discussion: Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The film featured two of Hollywood’s hot topics, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Frankly, my reason for Mr. & Mrs. Smith being a masterpiece was because of its true portrayal of Jolie’s sexy character. Plus, this was when Jolie was at her peak of her beauty where she had less wrinkles on her face with luscious physical appearance and her shiny trademark lips. Yes, this was when she was suit for adjectives “amazing” and “sexy” (What happened to her!)

(Poster for Mr. & Mrs. Smith, 2005)

Enough with my discussion on her past beauty, and let’s discuss the true value and harm of the film. Despite the success Jolie had with Lara Croft: Tomb Raiders, Mr. & Mrs. Smith was not able to satisfy the audiences’ expectations. The film critics only gave 6.4 stars to the film.

Despite its terrible ratings, the film still held multiple male gaze components. First stereotype was shown in the commercials. One of the trailers focuses on showing Jolie’s seductive traits and her sex scene with Brad Pitt. Even the poster has the focus on Jolie’s legs! I am guessing that being an action film, the director was using Angelina Jolie’s body as a magnet in attracting male audience. Second male gaze component can be found on a scene where Jolie receives her mission. Although the voice is changed, the speaker was male. Why can’t most female characters receive orders from another female? Are men the only gender to be on the ruling class? Third stereotype comes from the sex scene.

(That is just too seductive)

Personally, I am fine with the scene since I am a male viewer. However, the scene may be very offensive to female audience because it might give a false impression that women were created for man’s enjoyment. Last male gaze component, related to the third component, can be found from the last scene of the movie.

The movie ends with a marriage consultant asking the couple how their sex life is. Brad Pitt shows ten using his hands with a satisfied face. Was it necessary to end the movie with this scene?

(The ending therapy scene where Pitt shows a happy ten for sex life)

Jolie has shown her value as an action character through two of above movies. For me, it was shocking to see how much harm the movies had. Angelina Jolie was used as a tool to attract the male audience! Writing this blog was a great chance to know how I, as a male audience, can be a victim of judging the movie using male gaze.

Work Cited Page

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