It’s the clip from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law heard round the world. And for critics of the “M-She-U,” it represents everything wrong with Marvel.
Most of the superheroes remaining in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from the beginning should be in therapy for post traumatic stress disorder. In the case of Bruce Banner, also known as The Hulk, the character has attempted suicide, been sent to an alien planet, had a good friend recently die saving the world, watched another friend age to end of life status, and spend fifteen years attempting to overcome a one-of-a-kind multiple personality disorder. In any morally well-aligned narrative, such a character would be lauded for their ability to persevere over incredible hurdles for the sake of his or her own development and protection of others. Yet in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it is constructed today, such a character is treated with great disrespect only because of his sex.
You see, no matter how much a male character has sacrificed in a story, a woman’s everyday life is harder. Infinitely harder.
*Ahem* 🗣 Say it louder for the people in the back 🗣 #SheHulk #TatianaMaslany pic.twitter.com/EWd57xbehr
— IMDb (@IMDb) August 18, 2022
There is no better epitome for what has happened to Marvel. For all the things that Bruce Banner has been through as a character, he still deserves to be treated as “less than” by a woman who seems to lead a very cushy life. That would seem to be the world view of the writers and it is that world view that is likely to drive away viewers.
No, the first episode is unlikely to bomb. The second episode also may do well if viewers want to bottleneck around the bizarre thing that Marvel is doing. But past that point, it does seem to me that this show is destined to do more damage, and lose more viewers, than anything else we’ve seen so far.
I saw 2 mins of #SheHulk #SheHulkAttorneyAtLaw and it’s all I needed to further confirm the abject financial failure of MCU Phase 4. Marvel is rapidly approaching “dead asset” status in the Disney operating income hierarchy. No surprise
— Valliant Renegade (@ValliantRenegad) August 19, 2022
Our own review of the first episode found that it employed misandry as a norm (that is, sexism against men). It’s hard not to agree. What was once correctly portrayed as profound sacrifice and virtue in Marvel has been flipped on its head. Steve Rogers’ desire to love a singular woman and stay true to her even if he was in another time and without her… that incredible self-sacrifice is now the butt of a joke. It’s something to mock Captain American over. Bruce Banner’s decade-plus of work to overcome the incredible power of the Hulk: let’s just bypass that in a few minutes because Jen is better in every single way. It’s not presented as an individual v individual different… it’s the battle of the sexes.
To see just how far the franchise has fallen, watch the seriousness and gravitas on display in a comic book movie down below:
Now compare that to where we are today with the Hulk being punched in the face by a woman who thinks hitting men is okay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQqYx8_UCsE
See the difference? See why the ratings are down, the box office attendance is dropping and people are walking away?
For all the latest news and opinion that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let me know your thoughts.
It’s very strange to keep hearing about “cat calling”. I’m nearly 50 years old and have never heard anyone being “cat called”. To listen to Hollywood, you’d think this was some massive epidemic. Maybe Hollywood, just maybe this is reflection of you and the people you chose to associate with.
It was a much bigger trend decades ago. It still exists in some cultures but most regions of the United States are foreign to the experience.
Interestingly enough I worked construction for over a decade and never heard someone “cat call” a woman on the job site… I have however heard women “cat call” some of the guys on the site. Didn’t happen often but it did happen.
Men are five times as likely to be murdered then a women..
“The Hulk being punched in the face by a woman who thinks hitting men is okay” Oh the horror the hulk got hit in the face by a woman Mcu downhill lol guess when he got hit by the hulk buster or beat by thanos it was okay?.
Im not sure how one movie that made 954 million and another that made 722 million without china and russia is signs of audiences walking away but continue being hyperbolic. Esepecially who really decided what the show was just 2 minutes in wow real insightful
Also what was misandrist about this episode because jen really likes steve rogers and appreciates what he has done for the country also if him having lost his virginity bothers where was that anger when he kissed sharon in civil war she also has a good relationship with her male cousin. Tony Stark isnt thrown under the bus. Also jen understands what bruce went through she just doesnt want to deal with that. People like u are no different than the snowflakes u accuse the left of being. Also right now the show is 4th among the most popular shows right now on imdb so hasnt drove away viewers. And if I recall didnt bob chapek say that the shows draws in new audiences who never watched the mcu before so how are they losing viewers.
It is also the first episode we dont know where the show is gonna go with jen by the end but its more easy to be reactionary all the time thats what u guys like to do.
I have no idea about she Hulk and her experiences. But I pull out of the driveway and I get criticized for how I drive. I have driven easily 10 times as many kilometres as the person lecturing me. I go to my dad’s place and the entire time I hear about what an amazing business woman my wife is. I never get a compliment or acknowledgment of my contribution. We run a business together I started 30+ years ago. The primary product is my programming skills. She Hulk’s concept of ignoring slights is fine. We all do. Her thought that it is unique to being a woman is moronic and eye rolling. The funny part is this show is going to do to the Hulk what she is complaining about over and over because he is male. That might be a solution… for bad ratings… or it might not. I doubt it will change anyone’s mind about anything.
It’s a trip, not a fall. In addition, Grace Randolph words the issue well in a two tweet thread (and in replies to that thread). Pasted below are the thread tweets
“I loved this speech ?
However, I think some of the constructive rebuttals have merit
If u want people to listen to ur points, you have to also listen to theirs
Also diverse writers room including gender – these problems could be headed off early & the writing more balanced
This is what I said in my review – I really relate to Jen’s problems, but in grand scheme compared to what others are going through, not as serious
doesn’t mean they aren’t important, but hard to ask others for sympathy
Also, men of color pointing out they’re in same boat ?”
I originally started watching Grace because of similar rational comments on the last Jedi from her. Also how about diversity of thought in the writer room instead of superficial things? There are plenty of women writers self aware enough to see how ridiculous and self absorbed She Hulk sounds.
And yet Mrs. Randolph blocked That Park Place on Twitter despite our never having been unkind to her in the least. “You have to also listen to theirs” is a point she might want to remember.
Grace shills for corporate Hollywood. Not seeing her opinions = nothing lost
Her list sounds childish as men go through the same or worse. Yet She Hulk thinks women are special.