Headbanging desk and other variations of the frustration theme
Okay, so my first point of frustration is this silly mac I'm on at the University library, but as it isn't the focus of this post, I will move on.
I am willing to acknowledge that I am the poster child for the supernatural fantasy book/tv/movie trend that is in such a craze right now. I discovered "The Secret Circle" by L.J. Smith when I was eleven, and it was my favorite series for a long time. I watched Buffy, Xena, and even Charmed. Essentially, if it was supernatural with a strong female lead, then I was all about that. I've even expanded my viewing focus to include shows like Supernatural, Farscape, SG1 and SGA, all of which were more boys adventure shows than female fighting/romantic programs.
The key part of all of these programs and the books (to some extent) is that the romance is always secondary, and the characters grow throughout the course of the work. Their relationship/romantic status doesn't define who they are, and they actually grow and change throughout the course of the series.
And then, there came Twilight, which has spawned a vast number of YA books where character growth is unnecessary, and having a focus and or purpose is completely ignored because the main character only cares about their potential significant other. Events in life happen to the characters because the characters are too wishy washy to actual have a focus or goals of their own other than "falling in love." In case you were wondering, I was one of those teenagers that hated "Romeo and Juliet," and with age, I've determined that it is more of a Comedy than anything else. I've never really enjoyed a story where the main characters focused on their love life to the exclusion of the world around them. Probably because, if I met these people in real life, I would want to punch these characters in the face.
Did I read and enjoy the Twilight series? Sure. They weren't complicated, they were fast paced, and the killed about 8 hours total of my life that could have been spent doing homework. If you need proof that the books aren't well written and that the characters are insipid, then head over to reasoning with vampires on tumblr. I've been using it to entertain my first year writing class and to teach them about grammar rules, and how NOT to write. :)
Give me books like Holly Black's "Tithe," where the main character goes through a path of self discovery that just happens to involve some romance on the side. Give me TV shows like Supernatural, which is incredibly self aware and willing to mock itself. But don't give me books and movies that overemphasize a character that is narcissistic and self-obsessed with no real reason to feel that way.
The main reason I felt the need to go into this rant is because of the new Buffy movie coming out in 2011/2012, which is obviously meant to feed into the teen+vampire popularity craze, instead of into the fact that Buffy was an original, interesting, and ground breaking narrative.
Am I slightly offended that Joss Whedon won't be involved in this project? Yes. It is his work, and he created it. On the other hand, I've always appreciated Joss's ability to direct actors more than his writing creativity. I've watched too many of his shows. After a while, the narrative lines tend to blur and I become too involved in what the story line reveals about Joss's psyche/obsessions.
It isn't that Joss isn't a great writer, Objects in Space was my favorite episode of Firefly ever, but because I've exposed myself to so many of his creations, he just doesn't surprise or wow me as much as he used to. But his ability to direct? Always amazes. Watching actors that had been on Joss programs in other shows fills me with painful incredulity. With very few exceptions, the characters that these actors portray are static husks that, due to type casting, tend to mimic their Joss-verse characters but with all the depth of a cardboard cut out. (Morena Baccarin on SG1 anyone?)
Do I have faith that the new writer and director combo for this new movie Buffy will portray her with half the depth, humor, and passion as was shown in even the original film version of Buffy (which was great satire, if nothing else)? No.
Why?
Because the film is obviously going to be catered to this wonderful "new" romantic teen vampire trend. Buffy moved beyond the Romeo and Juliet story line by the end of season 3, and except for season 2, it was always more of a side narrative than the focus of the show. If this new movie turns out the way that I expect it to, then Buffy may spend a lot more time mooning over vampires and whining than she does killing them.
But what if I'm wrong?
Then I will be pleasantly surprised. My only remaining hope is that the writer and director of this new Buffy are both guys and may therefore downplay the romantic angle.
Does this mean that I think it will be different or better from the Buffy the TV series? Nope. It just means that the studio will mislead teenagers into watching the show by including a pretty lead and a guy without his shirt, and then no one will be able to act or say their lines without turning their heads to look at a teleprompter.
You know, like the Twilight movies.
*head bangs desk*
I am willing to acknowledge that I am the poster child for the supernatural fantasy book/tv/movie trend that is in such a craze right now. I discovered "The Secret Circle" by L.J. Smith when I was eleven, and it was my favorite series for a long time. I watched Buffy, Xena, and even Charmed. Essentially, if it was supernatural with a strong female lead, then I was all about that. I've even expanded my viewing focus to include shows like Supernatural, Farscape, SG1 and SGA, all of which were more boys adventure shows than female fighting/romantic programs.
The key part of all of these programs and the books (to some extent) is that the romance is always secondary, and the characters grow throughout the course of the work. Their relationship/romantic status doesn't define who they are, and they actually grow and change throughout the course of the series.
And then, there came Twilight, which has spawned a vast number of YA books where character growth is unnecessary, and having a focus and or purpose is completely ignored because the main character only cares about their potential significant other. Events in life happen to the characters because the characters are too wishy washy to actual have a focus or goals of their own other than "falling in love." In case you were wondering, I was one of those teenagers that hated "Romeo and Juliet," and with age, I've determined that it is more of a Comedy than anything else. I've never really enjoyed a story where the main characters focused on their love life to the exclusion of the world around them. Probably because, if I met these people in real life, I would want to punch these characters in the face.
Did I read and enjoy the Twilight series? Sure. They weren't complicated, they were fast paced, and the killed about 8 hours total of my life that could have been spent doing homework. If you need proof that the books aren't well written and that the characters are insipid, then head over to reasoning with vampires on tumblr. I've been using it to entertain my first year writing class and to teach them about grammar rules, and how NOT to write. :)
Give me books like Holly Black's "Tithe," where the main character goes through a path of self discovery that just happens to involve some romance on the side. Give me TV shows like Supernatural, which is incredibly self aware and willing to mock itself. But don't give me books and movies that overemphasize a character that is narcissistic and self-obsessed with no real reason to feel that way.
The main reason I felt the need to go into this rant is because of the new Buffy movie coming out in 2011/2012, which is obviously meant to feed into the teen+vampire popularity craze, instead of into the fact that Buffy was an original, interesting, and ground breaking narrative.
Am I slightly offended that Joss Whedon won't be involved in this project? Yes. It is his work, and he created it. On the other hand, I've always appreciated Joss's ability to direct actors more than his writing creativity. I've watched too many of his shows. After a while, the narrative lines tend to blur and I become too involved in what the story line reveals about Joss's psyche/obsessions.
It isn't that Joss isn't a great writer, Objects in Space was my favorite episode of Firefly ever, but because I've exposed myself to so many of his creations, he just doesn't surprise or wow me as much as he used to. But his ability to direct? Always amazes. Watching actors that had been on Joss programs in other shows fills me with painful incredulity. With very few exceptions, the characters that these actors portray are static husks that, due to type casting, tend to mimic their Joss-verse characters but with all the depth of a cardboard cut out. (Morena Baccarin on SG1 anyone?)
Do I have faith that the new writer and director combo for this new movie Buffy will portray her with half the depth, humor, and passion as was shown in even the original film version of Buffy (which was great satire, if nothing else)? No.
Why?
Because the film is obviously going to be catered to this wonderful "new" romantic teen vampire trend. Buffy moved beyond the Romeo and Juliet story line by the end of season 3, and except for season 2, it was always more of a side narrative than the focus of the show. If this new movie turns out the way that I expect it to, then Buffy may spend a lot more time mooning over vampires and whining than she does killing them.
But what if I'm wrong?
Then I will be pleasantly surprised. My only remaining hope is that the writer and director of this new Buffy are both guys and may therefore downplay the romantic angle.
Does this mean that I think it will be different or better from the Buffy the TV series? Nope. It just means that the studio will mislead teenagers into watching the show by including a pretty lead and a guy without his shirt, and then no one will be able to act or say their lines without turning their heads to look at a teleprompter.
You know, like the Twilight movies.
*head bangs desk*