I just watched the trailer and read a review for the soon to be released movie "Hanna". The story tells of a 16 year old girl (Saoirse Ronan) who lives on an isolated farm in Finland with her dad (Eric Bana). It appears her dad is a retired CIA super assassin hiding from those who would harm him and his daughter. So, dad feels that, in order to protect her, he needs to train the daughter in all of the deadly skills he had acquired during his days as an assassin. The movie's punch line is Adapt or Die. It seems another super female assassin (Cate Blanchett) is an evil CIA operative bent on destroying father AND daughter. So, of course, the 16 year old girl, now well versed in the art of killing, mayhem and destruction, needs to leave the security of the farm and track down and eliminate those who would harm her should they find her first.
The generally glowing review that I read described it as a modern telling of the classic Fairy Tale Princess stories; a sort of James Bond meets Snow White. WTF?! You've got to be kidding me!! I don't get it!! Why would I, or ANYONE, see a 16 year old girl trained in the deadly arts to be an expert in killing with guns, knives, explosives, and her bare hands as a HEROINE! How could anyone call this a fairy tale. To me, it's more like a nightmare!
In addition to the implausibilty of the story, there is a deeper, moral issue at stake here. Is this just what our society needs: a 16 year old girl who also happens to be a killing machine serving as a role model? All of our children are barraged on a daily basis with violent images. However, the most violent images were usually reserved for male fare. Now, girls are subject to the same violent brainwashing as the boys. And, can you imagine: in addition to being required to be cute, smart, talented,and athletic to be popular, now girls have a 16 year-old super assassin to aspire to be like, as well. It's not like this creates image issues for them or anything! And I thought it was tough to live up to the image of Hannah Montana - (lol)!
Give these girls - and us - a break. PLEASE Hollywood, stop making shit and start making sense. Stop the violence!!!!!!!!
Along with possible pass (?) of concealed weapons- CCW on college campuses..we're just movin' right along here in the USA :(
ReplyDeleteChristine:
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that we're the only ones outraged! First, there's the violence. If it's not OK to commit violence against a 16 year old, then why is OK for a 16 year old to commit violence?
Then there's the "image thing". Tween girls are being constantly barraged by images of perfect girls - athletic, smart, cute, popular. Some of these images are downright unattainable. Yet,we through them at girls at a startling pace. Now, in addition to everything else, if they want to be a "cool, ruthless killer" too, they have a role model. And we wonder why girls suffer with anorexia and bulimia? WTF?!