James Cameron made waves on Thursday, but it wasn't because of any news related to "Avatar." Instead, it was the result of an interview the director had with The Guardian. The topic of "Wonder Woman" - the summer blockbuster of the season - came up. While most have praised the superhero movie for its feminist ideology and strong female lead, Cameron decided to take the discussion of the movie in a much more critical direction.
Cameron sounds off
The comments took on a tone of sour grapes, to a degree. After all, the director drew a comparison to a film he worked on that could've been perceived in a similar way.
Cameron claimed that Hollywood was "misguided" in congratulating themselves for making a feminist movie, claiming that the character of Wonder Woman was still being objectified. While there are moments in the film that have a clear issue with the male gaze, those moments don't really take hold in the way Cameron seems to feel they do.
He brought up Sarah Connor, the main character in "The Terminator," Cameron's first directing triumph. He cited her as a positive female character because she wasn't traditionally beautiful or matriarchal, but was strong and determined. He also claimed that there was enough women in Hollywood to correctly shape these types of Movies. He seems to be missing the point, though.
A film like "Wonder Woman" doesn't have to feature a bland person who lacks female characteristics for the film to be feminist.
The power of 'Wonder Woman'
Where Cameron misses the mark the most is the idea that "Wonder Woman" can't be a feminist icon because the actress, Gal Gadot, is a beautiful woman. Women come in all shapes, sizes, looks, personalities, etc.
This one just happens to be a former model. She isn't objectified in the film, although she does fall into a romance trap that the movie could've likely done without.
The response to the film has also been enormous. It set records at the box office and drew critical acclaim. There have been viral images of young girls dressing up as Wonder Woman and dreaming of being superheroes themselves.
There's nothing more feminist than that. Just because there were different ideals on the screen than those seen in "The Terminator" doesn't make the movie problematic. Cameron should focus less on what other people are doing and focus more on finishing up those "Avatar" sequels he has been talking up for almost a decade.
