The Patriot

The Patriot (2000) presents a dramatic representation of the American revolution. Actor Mel Gibson, who plays Benjamin Martin, leads the American militia in response to King Henry (of England)'s tyranny. While this film emphasizes genuine patriotic ideals, there is also a side story of racism told. Actor Jay Arlen Jones plays a slave named Occam who is forced to join the American Militia because of his master. Director Roland Emmerich portrays this in an unfair manner as Occam's master is afraid and unwilling to join the militia himself. He gives him over as he tells Gibson's character, "You can have my Negro."

Throughout the militia's conquest, there is a transition in the relationship between Occam and his fellow militia men. At the beginning, they see him as less than human, almost a nuisance really. Actor Donal Logue's character even criticizes Occam's benefits by exclaiming, "I can't believe this. First they're gonna' pay 'em, and now they're gonna' free 'em! What are you gonna' do with freedom?" This last question is an accurate portrayal of how those in favor of slavery viewed their position: keeping the blacks as slaves allows them to have a place in society, without it, chaos will occur.

As time moves on however, Occam bonds with the militia and even stays after he is officially set free. This selfless act gains the respect of even Donal Logue's character, who expresses his gratitude by saying he is honored by Occam's presence. My one criticism of this movie's depiction of racism, however, is that at the end Occam is shown free and happy - helping rebuild Mel Gibson's character's house along with the rest of the militia. However, in reality, Occam will have to continue to fight many battles of another kind after the war is over.

[Blog 5]

Mulan

Standing out as the exception, Disney's Mulan (1998) attempts to break free from its stereotypical role of women. On the surface, it seems Disney finally let a woman take charge, however, under a thicker lens, the issue is more complex. The main character, Mulan, impersonates a Chinese soldier by creating a masculine facade. Despite her being a woman, it is not until she becomes a "man" that she is able to fight for her family's honor. Things really get interesting, however, when her fellow soldiers find out she is a woman.

After the Chinese army abandons her upon this realization, Mulan attempts to pursue her task of protecting China from the Huns by herself. In the ending climactic scenes, Disney blatantly makes fun of the stereotypical Chinese woman, as the "Be A Man" song is played while Chinese soldiers dress up like Geishas and distract the Huns' attention. Although Mulan does in fact save the emperor and the land of China from the Huns as a woman (weapon of choice: Chinese fan), she is put back in her place at home. Welcoming her back are her father and mother, who are glad she is back and will most likely make sure she never leaves especially to impersonate a Chinese soldier. Additionally, the captain of the Chinese army enters, who is probably going to marry her - symbolizing a submission of Mulan's power to this man. All Disney really did is put an ironic, comedic spin on their stereotypical woman, ending it similarly to Snow White (1937) or Beauty and the Beast (1991).

[Blog 2 replacement]

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight (2008), sequel to Batman Begins (2005), can be considered a post-noir film. While this movie shares its similarities with noir films, it also brings new elements to the table. The most apparent comparison would be the dim lighting technique, made famous by the noir films. Agreeing with its title, the Dark Knight uses the dim lighting technique as a primary foundation while filming the actors in the appropriate setting.

Digging below surface level similarities, one will begin to find several uses of brutality, criminal acts, and sexuality. These subjects which were once considered taboo, were beginning to become more exposed within the realm of noir films. However, as time furthers on, what was previously thought to be radical in the noir films would be minimal compared to what is shown in the Dark Knight. While sexuality in the Dark Knight may consist of merely innuendos, the excessive violence and crimes make what is shown in noir films mere child's play. While having to respect the noir films for their influential ideology in the role of film making, its predecessor, Dark Knight, takes it to a whole new level with its villain, the Joker played by Heath Ledger.

Unlike the static, undeveloped antagonists in the past, the director made sure that the Joker set a new bar in character development. In the Dark Knight, the Joker's rotten nature is revealed in refreshingly new ways, such as in his clever plot to let his accomplices' greed get themselves killed while robbing the bank as well as playing off a police officer's emotions in jail to escape. This uniquely constructed character is so overwhelming that is it thought to be linked to Heath Ledger's death.