A Feminist's Take on: "Spy"

     Let me begin this post with a disclaimer: I love Melissa McCarthy. Period.  I know this fact will make it very hard to remain completely objective in reviewing this comedic venture. I could attempt to remain neutral, but quite honestly I just don't care. I'm going to gush. You have been warned. 

     Spy begins as a typical, slap-stick comedy tailor-made for McCarthy's unique talents-- all whilst making fun of James Bond-esque movies. It casually makes reference to the cool gadgets, sexy cars and gory violence that has become a corner stone of this male-dominated genre; even making an effort at a twist ending that fell only slight flat. But, the first mistake the audience can make is to come in expecting a parody of Scary Movie proportions. Much like all of McCarthy's female-driven offerings, this movie's true beauty hides just beneath the surface.

     The comedienne's Susan Cooper is a woman who hasn't quite come out of her shell. Pushing 40-something, she feels the oppressive boredom of a woman who has spent a lifetime in a bat infested basement serving an attractive man who refuses to give her a second glance. Face it, ladies, we've all lived this reality at some point or another. She is faced with the opportunity to not only live her dreams, but to become the super heroine of her greatest fantasies. Along the way, she realizes that she's also pretty bad ass. Seriously, she can kick butt better than any ninja I have seen in recent times. Even Jude Law looked a little taken aback! 

     Rose Byrne is also a diamond in the rough, offering us a super-villain in stilettos. Her hair piled hair, and fitted body suit firmly in place, Byrne struts her way through the movie with this cool detachment so often seen in the best espionage movies to date. She even pouts freely like a toddler ready for a tantrum in the face of various attempts on her life. It seems that her great wealth, power, and go-getter attitude has threatened some of her male counterparts. She faces off against our bumbling spy-girl to only realize that one is a mirror-image of the other. When McCarthy insists that "we girls have to stick together", we realize that even among baddies there appears to be a level of sexism. It is a hard world out there ladies; even for hairspray doused terrorists.

     All in all, behind the crazy one-liners and indecent imagery, (did we really have to look at THAT particular part of the male anatomy?) the story blossoms into an empowering image of a woman who can still remake herself regardless of her age, appearance or body type. That, at the end of the day, we're all connected in this crazy world of ours... oh who am I kidding. This movie was just hilarious. Honestly, just go see it. You'll be rolling on the floor laughing; walking out of the theatre with tears in your eyes and wishing you could sneak back in to watch it again. Just trust me. You'll thank me.  

The Girl Power "Ghostbusters"?

From Top: Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Melissa McCarthy.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the story on Tuesday that an all-female cast was being considered for the reboot, based off of the 1984 classic starring Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray. The original concept for this reboot started as a sequel, of sorts; but Murray remained elusive, and with the passing of Harold Ramis, the entire project was reimagined. The understatement of the century, I know. Who could have imagined an entirely female cast of ghost-hunting mavens? Especially in an era where Hollywood seems to have lost a sense of all ingenuity-- rehashing the same ideas over and over again in a string of sequels and reboots that have no end.


Seriously, how many more Scary Movie or Paranormal Activity movies must we endure!

     So, it is with a heavy heart that I must admit just a fleas-breath of admiration towards this particular...reimagining. Not only because Melissa McCarthy is already attached, and her partner in crime/Brides Maids mastermind--Kristen Wiig-- is already in talks to join the cast. It's the simple fact, dear Muses, that someone out there in the movie-making factory is trying to turn the gears in a different direction for a change. With movies like the aforementioned Brides Maids and my personal favorite, Pitch Perfect, proving the simple fact that not only are female-driven movies cheaper to make (with budgets totaling $32.5 million and $17 million respectively) but they also rake in some serious cash in the process. 

Yes, you heard that correctly. 

     The math there is simple: women love seeing our favorite comediennes not only showing a keen understanding of real issues we girls face, and let's be honest, often feel on a daily basis. But, to exaggerate those problems into something that drive us into that insane fit of laughter reserved for a cozy night in with your BFF; sipping wine on the couch wearing only your sweat pants. "Chick Flicks" are evolving, ladies. No are we delegated to watching mindless "Rom Coms" like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (battle of the sexes my ass) or the horrifyingly un-feminist The Other Woman.  This new influx of witty and character-driven comedy, made famous by the likes of Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and the countless others finally getting their due in this brave, new world.

     What does this mean for the Ghostbusters reboot? And, most importantly, is any of this even relevant for this ghost hunters-on-steroids comedy? Only time will tell that. This much is certain, however: Sony was obviously taking a cue from the recently changing climate of modern, Hollywood cinema.