The Four Color Media Monitor

The Kansas City Star's got an article about the sorry state of movies with superheroines in the lead:

Wonder Woman, we need you!

As it stands, nearly all female superhero flicks make our crime-fighting sistas look laughably pathetic. Consider these disasters: “Supergirl” (Helen Slater), “Elektra” (Jennifer Garner) and “Catwoman” (a hissably bad Halle Berry).

None won over audiences or critics, and the reason is obvious: All were rotten.

Indeed they were. The only reason I can see for their ever being made is that the producers seem to think that chicks alone will bring in the teenage boys, and any girls who enjoy the wish-fullfilment angle. But no, it's not that simple.

If you dig deep enough, you will find tough female superheroes here and there. My favorite is 1983’s “The Heroic Trio,” with Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and Anita Mui. The gory Hong Kong flick finds this kick-butt trio rescuing babies from the diabolical clutches of the Lord of the Underground. Gotta love that.

It’s essentially a pop-up comic book brought to life, with an assertive group of women showing who’s the boss. Skip the lame sequel, though.

At least there are prospects on the horizon. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator Joss Whedon is reportedly working on a script for a big-screen version of “Wonder Woman.” It has been in the larval stage for a while, so let’s just keep our fingers crossed that it will end the curse of the bad female superhero movie. If there’s anyone who can do the genre justice, he would be the guy.

I hope so. Likewise, I hope the chosen actress will be hot enough for the role.

Labels: dc comics, Wonder Woman