Christina Larson lists the Seven Mistakes Superheroines Make — or, more accurately, the seven mistakes filmmakers make when making superheroine films:
But the good news for Hollywood — and audiences — is that there is an enduring formula that works. Superheroines since the 1970s — from Wonder Woman to Princess Leia, Charlie’s Angels to Lara Croft, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to “Alias’s” Sydney Bristow — have all followed a few simple rules to find success on the big and little screen. And every would-be action babe who has flopped has broken at least one of them. So what’s the secret?
- Do fight demons. Don’t fight only inner demons.
- Do play well with others. Don’t shun human society.
- Do exhibit self-control. Don’t exhibit mental disorders.
- Do wear trendy clothes. Don’t wear fetish clothes.
- Do embrace girl power. Don’t cling to man hatred.
- Do help hapless men. Don’t try to kill your boyfriend.
- Do toss off witty remarks. Don’t look perpetually sullen.
As Dan Drezner pointed out, “one of Buffy’s best seasons was when she had to try to kill her boyfriend — but that’s nitipicking.”