Action shows and movies, especially ones containing superheroes and villains, carry a classic theme of "good" vs "evil". Good guys vs bad buys. Bully vs the bullied. Robbers vs cops. Light vs Dark. Dora vs Swiper the fox. We are led and encouraged to root for the "good guy" or "superhero" to win, even though we know the "good guy" always wins no matter what "villain" or adversity they face. These shows and movies also teach us across all generations the hegemonic lesson of always being the "good guy" and to reflect his good deeds and character, so that we too can beat the "bad guy", cause 'the bad guy" should never win. While this lesson is encouraging and uplifting our social reality isn't so black and white.
From a political foreign policy standpoint these movies remind us of all the good the United States government has done and is still doing to protect the homeland. Movies and shows like Saving Private Ryan, 24, Homeland, Taken, and the more starkly stated Captain America all have the "good guys" (United States; America; Americans) versus "bad guys" (any foreign political terroristic threat). This theme of the civilized, lawful society warring against the uncivilized power hungry foreign force that hates and wants to destroy "American Freedom" is strategically placed in some of the American media we consume to instill political ideologies that guide us to vote for certain military and foreign policies. Whether these movies and shows play to the fear of the "outside world" or our willingness to defend the freedoms of others as well as our own, they reflect and shape our social and political world. In my last blog post about Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I talked about how the movie was breaking social and racial conventions of protagonists in movies. But the movie also speaks to our government's current foreign relational climate. In this article by Chris Burnett, he begins breaking down the parallels of how our government and military is often portrayed as the patriotic hero always defending our freedom against those who want to take it away, and how the rebels reflect the ideals of U.S., as the small force fighting against the tyrannical superpower "The First Order". He goes on to say that this use of good vs. evil enforces people's fears and justifies the government's violation of the fourth amendment as well as it's massive defense budget. Movies with ideologies such as these can play into people's' fears and lead to war mongering and the push for more and more military power. And as "The First Order" was portrayed as the colossal imposing militia with advanced weaponry and America having the most advanced aircraft and naval force that rules the skies and seas, as well as the largest collective army...who are the real "good guys" or "bad guys"?
From a political foreign policy standpoint these movies remind us of all the good the United States government has done and is still doing to protect the homeland. Movies and shows like Saving Private Ryan, 24, Homeland, Taken, and the more starkly stated Captain America all have the "good guys" (United States; America; Americans) versus "bad guys" (any foreign political terroristic threat). This theme of the civilized, lawful society warring against the uncivilized power hungry foreign force that hates and wants to destroy "American Freedom" is strategically placed in some of the American media we consume to instill political ideologies that guide us to vote for certain military and foreign policies. Whether these movies and shows play to the fear of the "outside world" or our willingness to defend the freedoms of others as well as our own, they reflect and shape our social and political world. In my last blog post about Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I talked about how the movie was breaking social and racial conventions of protagonists in movies. But the movie also speaks to our government's current foreign relational climate. In this article by Chris Burnett, he begins breaking down the parallels of how our government and military is often portrayed as the patriotic hero always defending our freedom against those who want to take it away, and how the rebels reflect the ideals of U.S., as the small force fighting against the tyrannical superpower "The First Order". He goes on to say that this use of good vs. evil enforces people's fears and justifies the government's violation of the fourth amendment as well as it's massive defense budget. Movies with ideologies such as these can play into people's' fears and lead to war mongering and the push for more and more military power. And as "The First Order" was portrayed as the colossal imposing militia with advanced weaponry and America having the most advanced aircraft and naval force that rules the skies and seas, as well as the largest collective army...who are the real "good guys" or "bad guys"?
It's interesting how the idea of "good guys" and "bad guys" are so cut and dry, but then every once in a while you'll come across a character that does fit that grey area. Like Captain Jack Sparrow, for example. We know that he's not a great guy, and he certainly doesn't fit the stereotypical "good guy" mold, but we still sympathize with him and see him as a protagonist (probably because there's usually a greater evil in the movies). It's just interesting, I really like movies where the "bad guy" has more of a story!
ReplyDeleteSame I love a good anti-hero movie. Realizing I am rooting for a main character who isn't exactly doing good things for society, but has a complex story that makes you see the characters humanity. Like how there is a little good in bad people and a little bad in good people. Humans are more psychologically complex than good v evil.
DeleteThis makes me think of the Milgram experiment. Our values, attitudes, and behaviors can change depending on the situation. I think one reason clear-cut good vs. evil stories are so popular is that they allow us to not confront this sometimes disturbing characteristic of human beings.
DeleteI agree with you. Many heroes are often portrayed as flawless and devoid of any characteristics that are even slightly "bad", but in reality humans don't really function like this.
ReplyDeleteAnti heroes are the best... Annalise Keating from How to Get Away with Murder, Piper Chapman from Orange is the New Black, etc. They all challenge that weird idea that you have to be perfect to be a hero.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Those shows and character stories reapply push through this idea that the protagonist has to be a good moral upstanding citizen. Especially for women these roles showcase a realistic sense of humanity that we all experience. Instead of a vulnerable, damsel in distress, who needs a hero to save her, it shows that women live real lives and save ourselves in the process.
DeleteI like to highlight your mention of bad guys as "foreign political terrorist threat[s]" because I touched on this same matter in my post. Arab actors face a tough time in Hollywood where they are cast in the same negative light time and time again, and we wonder how our nation got so anti-Muslim and xenophobic so quickly. It's great to see anti-heroes being written into today's media because they exhibit a non-perfect way of life. However, outside of a handful of examples (namely, Walter White), I like venturing away from the white male anti-hero because it is becoming too bland too quickly. I'm glad that Kiley's mentions of anti-heroes were actually anti-heroines, and although I don't watch either program, I've heard great things about both characters!
ReplyDeleteMuslims portrayed as the "bad guys" definitely dominates news media as well as in Hollywood. As well as North Koreans, Chinese, and especially Russians. I have not watched or read a show, movie, or book where the plot depicts a "good" Russian...
Deleteeveryone know the roles, the good guy and the bad guys lol, but in real life what are the roles, what do you have to do to be considered a good guy? its easy to play to bad guy role, and try to always play the good guy role, but if we are all anti-heroines, what role is that ? what makes you an anti-hero?
ReplyDelete