Week 9: Space Opera

     Besides "Star Wars", I've never really been a fan of space-themed science fiction movies. Though some boast stunning visual effects while others present their audience with unbelievably intricate story lines, I've come to realize that I'm definitely more of a fantasy person. That being said, I'll never pass up the opportunity to watch a space film. But space opera is a little bit different from just the average science fiction movie. Wikipedia defines space opera as "a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, and often risk-taking as well as chivalric; usually involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced abilities, futuristic weapons and other sophisticated technology." 

     Space Opera brings a whole new set of "issues" to the table. There is commonly a damsel in distress during wartime and an intergalactic hero sent to save her. One thing I love about “Star Wars” is the fact that Princess Leia isn’t just some wimpy princess who gets kidnapped and can’t fend for herself. Though she is kidnapped, she’s very “girl powery”, something that I always appreciate in a female character. Many of the women in several of the movies we viewed in class were sort of helpless. Their only purpose seemed to be acting as eye candy for the men both in the audience and on screen. For example, in the film “Forbidden Planet” that we viewed during class, the girl is only there to serve as a sexual object; she’s only a romantic target for the men in the film. The entire film she’s clad in tight-fitting or short clothes. She’s very innocent and doesn’t seem to know the power she has over the space men. Throughout the film, she doesn’t really do anything of much importance; she’s very dependent on the males in the movie. This is a stark contrast to Princess Leia, who grabs a weapon, gets out there, and fights in the battles right alongside the boys. She knows what she wants and she goes after it, a quality that used to be rare in female heroines. Anyhow, Princess Leia serves as an awesome role model as well as my favorite character in the series.  She’s really out of this world! :)