Action films are definitely not my genre of choice, so i have started to do some more research into the genre for my work. Lara Croft is one film i have seen and came to mind straight away, although the main character is a strong, independent women, the male gaze theory is definitely proven within this film. Lara Croft is scarsley clad, baring thighs and tight tops round her breast, with camera angles showing her assets off to the male audience.
Women's roles within films have changed a lot since the 1960's, they used to be portrayed as housewives and dumb-blondes, in need of a savour. Now men love a strong independent woman who can fight for herself, of course she has to be beautiful and not mess up her hair or make up throughout the whole film.
Lara Croft at one point does have her hair out of place, only to make her look even better, she doesnt really get any injuries after all the fighting, falling and running she does. She also has a very strong connection with her father, only really does her job because of her father, insinuating she could only do what she does because of a man. She also resists wearing dresses and drives quite masculine vehicles i.e. motorbikes and cars.
Most women, within Action and Horror, mainly the main character of the 'Final Girl" Carol Clover, end up being quite masculine, have masculine names and interests. This shows that the women can only out live the killer or be a heroine if they have masculine traits.
Carol Clover mentions this within 'Men, Women and Chainsaws', as the 'final girl' (the girl who lives and eventually kills the villain) normally has a male name, is not interested in girly things like the rest of her friends, is not sexually promiscuous like the others (that are killed of quite quickly, this is virtually slut-shaming women, punishing them for being sexually active. Also the other girls with the films normally overlook vital signs which the 'final girl' does not, portraying the dumb blonde stereotype
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