So I decided to take a gander at the promotional video things for Transformers and then Strawberry Shortcake- because, well, free transformers items are cool and I might as well see what the cake has to offer while I'm in the neighborhood.
So I don't think girl toys should talk.
Transformers: Epic battle for Earth- pretty cool.
Strawberry Shortcake: She's getting a dress, and well, that's it- unless you wish to mull over the detail that the dress "will be ready by storytime".
I get these are children's cartoons, but I cannot help but wonder why when the "girl" toys finally talk after years of having voices only in the hearts of we women folk that, well, they have absolutely nothing to say.
I mean there doesn't even seem to be some foreshadowing that maybe the other girl will not like the dress leading to some hurt feelings and general story conflict. Nope.
I know my Strawberry Shortcake dolls had much, much cooler adventures- they also smelled very pleasant. I cannot smell these hollow CG hussies so there's not much of a point.
Thoughts? How do you feel about your childhood toys being given voices? Why do toys aimed at boys involve awesome battles for humanities and toys aimed at girls involve mundane everyday activities?
Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:48 pm
I feel this helps illustrate a point.
AntoniaMerEnfant Captain
Offline
Headhunter
Offline
Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 12:29 pm
Well, it's kind of weird. In most of the cartoons I watched growing up, woman didn't fight. April O' Neil never hit a foot ninja and Janine (the Ghostbuster's secretary) never busted a ghost (that I can remember) but there were exceptions: Scarlet, Lady J and Cover Girl beat up Cobra troops all the time and Teela (He-Man's lady friend) punched fools left and right. Girls didn't typically watch those shows, though. So maybe it defeated the purpose? *shrugs*
It does seem like they legitimately tried with She-Ra, but I don't know if that show was successful or not. On one hand, it had a ton of female leads how could actually fight, but it also had all kinds of freaky looking mutants and monsters that don't typically appeal to girls.
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 5:54 pm
Headhunter-
Actually, I remember every day at 4pm plopping down in front of the tv for TNMNT. April did have a wicked cool super power- getting into trouble... That reminds me of Lois Lane- who has the super power to magically fall off of buildings, even when there isn't a building around to fall off of!
But seriously, loved the turtles as a kid and loved transformers. I actually had a weird crush on Optimus Prime- cause he was awesome.
I've heard the argument before that the violent shows draw women in less- the same for violent video games. I think plenty of women enjoy a good a$$ kicking on the screen, I think it's just that we require other elements.
Best example I can think of is action flicks. My fiance wanted to see the Expendables- just cause. I felt the film was cringe worthy at best, and not in the "Snakes on Plane" it's so bad it's good, more like "Huh, the final action sequence is sloppy, the little storyline present is trite at best, and they paid for all these actors but used like, two of them. Oh look Micky Rourke gets the one and only redeemable monologue."
On the other hand I loved Iron Man 2 even after fears I'd hate it. There was great character development, the sequences were fairly smooth, there was Don Cheadle, and visually it was even smoother than the first.
I think women are not amused by explosions alone, but if you pair explosions with a slick script, a great love story, and some good music and you have us sold. Examples: the original Star Wars Trilogy, the first two mummy movies, Indiana Jones, etc.
Reply
