"SHE'S KILLING FOR SPORT"

 Owen (Jurassic World)

Brice Dallis Howard faces off against man-eating monsters... And dinosaurs.

I don't often risk voicing an opinion when I've not seen all the facts for myself, but I feel, given my position as a critic and an equalist, I have to address the 'sexism controversy' surrounding the new Jurassic World. I may well need to reconsider my position after seeing the film, which hopefully I will do soon, but I do want to at least want to discuss the matter first...

The sexism controversy in question surrounds the female lead of Jurrassic World, a character named Claire Dearing (played by the bautiful and very talented Bryce Dallis Howard)- a career-driven, office-based 'cold fish'; a woman with no maternal instinct whatsoever, and no wish to spend time with her two young nephews, thrust on her during the first act. Well, I guess it's pretty obvious from this set up, and the subsequent trailers, that the dinosaurs eventually escape their pens and go on a rampage. Through the course of the film Claire reflects on her life decisions, ditches her job, finds herself a "good man" and (having finally bonded with her nephews) decides to try having children of her own...

"Everyone remain calm!" Claire (Jurassic World)

Feminists united in their outrage of the film the world over because, in their opinion, Clare's shift in attitude encapsulates the myth that for any woman to be 'truly happy' she first needs to find a man and pump-out a few sprogs. And it's not just the feminists who are pissed-off either. Writer / director Joss Whedon (a man for whom I have a great deal of respect) also gave his two-sense-worth over Twitter, calling the film "70's era sexist", although this comment was made after viewing only the trailer, having not seen the actual film (and if he's allowed to have an opinion before seeing the film, then I guess I must be entitled, too).

"We need more teeth!" Gary (Jurassic World)

So, having read the criticism leveled at Jurassic World, watched the trailers, read some of the interviews, and being a man with what I hope is a sound and rational mind, I've come to two conclusions.

1/ The first Jurassic Park film focused on a character called Alan Grant, a job-driven and up-tight archaeologist, a 'cold fish' who couldn't stand the company of children (can you see where this is going yet?). During the course of the film Grant finds himself the unlikely protector of two young children, and as these two sweet kids eventually melt his cold and unfeeling heart Grant comes to realise he might quite like having some of his own. This is a carbon copy of Claire Dearing's character arc throughout Jurassic World (or rather, her's is a carbon copy of Grant's), yet Jurassic Park has never been considered sexist in its treatment of men. Why's it considered OK for a male to play the 'stiff' while not for a female? Interesting. You could draw a number of conclusions from this, but the concept that I find the most uncomfortable is that it appears feminists deem women unable to make their own decisions; to choose for themselves what will bring their lives the most joy and / or sense of completion. And again, this serves as yet another example of the dual standards by which the more extreme echelons of feminism operates.

2/ Jurassic World is a popcorn movie about dinosaurs eating people. It's unlikely it has sinister and salacious designs on society. It encourages you to turn your brain into neutral-mode and enjoy the spectacle, so perhaps people shouldn't be so quick to search for a subtext... In fact, I'd go a step further. Perhaps people shouldn't be so quick to read meaning into ANY film? Not every character should be considered a microcosm through which we can view a specific gender, religion or ethnic group. The world is a diverse place, filled with many diverse people- different creeds, colours and beliefs. Some are good, some bad, and many are pitched somewhere in between; their views will not always reflect our own, and neither will their actions. Claire Dearing decides she wants to settle down and have children, and this is Claire Dearing's decision, not ours- she is not, and should not be considered, "every-woman" (no more than Alan Grant or Travis Bickle are "every-man").  If the film making process reaches a point where every character has to pander to certain demographics, then we may as well fucking quit making films.

Or perhaps I've missed the point somewhere?

With that in mind, I'll leave you with one last quote from the film.

"Nothing in Jurassic World is natural..." Dr. Henry Wu (Jurassic World)