FEBRUARY 15, 2023
6
ENTERTAINMENT “Puss in Boots”
Antara Gangwal
DESIGN BY REAGAN LIU
Avatar: The way of white saviorism Staff Writer
Daniel Lin Viewpoint Editor
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” follows everyone’s favorite fearless hero Puss in Boots—voiced by Antonio Banderas—as he discovers that he is on the last of his nine lives and goes on a quest to restore his lives. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons and faces obstacles that challenge his entire belief system. The movie begins with Puss partying, slaying a giant and then dying. This opening scene does two things: it establishes Puss’ character by showing him acting heroically and living recklessly, and draws attention to the striking and vibrant visuals. However, Puss’ usual arrogance is immediately curbed after he learns that he is down to his last life and survives an encounter with Death, a massive wolf, by the skin (or fur?) of his teeth. Unfortunately, this fantastic beginning is followed by a less interesting midsection, in which Puss learns of a wishing star that could restore his nine lives and goes on a very ordinary adventure to find it, where he meets other characters. The film concludes with a spectacular fight scene between Puss and Death and a feel-good, albeit somewhat cheesy, ending. Although Banderas’ performance as Puss was outstanding, the true star of the show was Death—voiced by Wagner Moura—the main villain. Death is menacing, terrifying and positively scene-stealing— easily my favorite character in the movie and one of my favorite villains from any movie. Quality-wise, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is top-notch. The animation uses hand-drawn techniques, making it more textured and unique compared to the traditional “Pixar look”— a photorealistic style that most animated films use. This unique art style, in addition to the frame rate drops and striking color contrasts during action scenes, contributes to the feeling of being dropped into a fairytale. Furthermore, the actors do an amazing job voicing their characters. The story is well written and revolves around a surprisingly deep theme, given that it is meant to be a children’s movie—the importance of valuing life and living life to its fullest. Despite being a spinoff of “Shrek,” “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” was a masterpiece that blew my expectations out of the water. I highly recommend watching it.
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (5/5) how movie-ing was it?
+ Astounding animation + Perfect villian - Cheesy ending
Reuniting viewers with an the storyline of perpetuating acclaimed fictional universe, the a white savior narrative. In an sequel to the award-winning film interview with CNN, Echo-Hawk “Avatar” sparked controversy by explained that white director James Indigenous activists, many of whom Cameron limits his exploration of believe it promotes a storyline of colonization by centering the story white saviorism. on a white character. “Avatar” is currently Similarly, a JANE HONG ART the highest tweet demanding grossing film a boycott of of all time, the film by earning over Navajo artist $2.9 billion and co-chair since release of Indigenous in December Pride Los Angeles 2009, as per Yuè Begay said Box Office that the film Mojo. The employs blueface; sequel “Avatar: The Way of Water” it blends many native cultures was released over 13 years later on together to create characters that Dec. 16, 2022 to high anticipation are played by white actors. In from global fans of the first film. the tweet, Begay also mentioned Deadline reports that the new previous statements made by installment made over $2.12 billion Cameron in a 2010 interview with by Jan. 22, cementing its place The Guardian, where t h e as the fourth highest grossing director stated that film worldwide. he was inspired to “Avatar: The Way of Water” takes create “Avatar” place 15 years after the events of the after imagining first film and follows protagonist what would have Jake Sully after he chooses to live occurred if the on the fictional moon Pandora. Lakota Sioux tribe had Here, Sully dons a body based on fought harder against colonization. its indigenous inhabitants—the Begay’s tweet incited debate over Na’vi. In the sequel, as chief of Cameron’s comments and casting the Na’vi Omaticaya clan, Sully of the sequel, which still includes and his family must fight against a majority of white actors. human colonization of Pandora. “While the film was lacking Along with praise, however, in plot and I would not want the film has also become a topic of to watch future installments, I debate; Indigenous activists such was not aware of the criticism it as Crystal Echo-Hawk, the founder received. Nonetheless, I agree that of social justice organization more Indigenous people should be Illuminative, have accused in the cast, as the plot is based on
Lauren Wilson
their cultures,” Sophomore Saanvi Deb said. Other films have also been denounced for submitting to white savior stereotypes. For example, “The Last Samurai”—a 2003 film about efforts to fight U.S. westernization of Japan—is centered around a white general played by Tom Cruise rather than Japanese characters. However, Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, who played Katsumoto in the movie, stated in a 2022 interview with The Guardian that his own role was important for Asian representation in Hollywood. Likewise, Lakota activist and attorney Chase Iron Eyes told CNBC that “Avatar: The Way of Water” accurately depicted Lakota beliefs through its portrayal of the Na’vi connection with the natural world. However, Iron Eyes has also accused the film of blueface and having limited representation. Cameron responded to backlash in an interview with Unilad in December 2022, stating that he recognized the importance of listening to criticism about the perspective of white privilege. He elaborated that he meant to celebrate indigenous spirituality, and that it was not his intention to portray white saviorism. Some will continue to boycott the Avatar franchise, while others hope to find improvement in the upcoming sequels. Above all, Indigenous activists like Begay advocate for media where Indigenous people are writing and starring in their own stories.
Andrew Tate: Face of media misogyny Staff Writer
Right-wing social media on his supporters. Tate’s message influencer Emory Andrew Tate is interpreted by many to be that has rapidly grown in popularity women are inferior to men and online over the last decade for that their main purpose is to be his videos promoting misogynistic controlled. Critics of Tate believe views. Advocating for violence that he not only invalidates the against women and toxic experiences of sexual assault masculinity, Tate is seen as a role victims, but also indicates model by many young men, but to young boys that it is okay to is widely criticized by the engage in abusive behaviors. The numerous viewers who find his White Ribbon Charity, a women’s content incredibly toxic. rights charity working against Andrew Tate is known as a violence, states that Tate’s popular internet celebrity who promotes sexist views and DONGWOO KANG ART “high value men.” He claims that by being a “high value man” in a relationship, men should have total control over their girlfriend or wife. According to The Independent UK News, in August 2022, Tate had 4.6 million followers on Instagram and the hashtag “#AndrewTate” received 12.7 billion views on derogatory comments create violent Tiktok. Tate began his social media environments that encourage men presence on Twitter in 2011, and to abuse women. he continued to use Twitter as his “Andrew Tate makes a lot of central platform until 2017—when sexist comments which many he was banned for violating terms people, including myself, do of service for tweeting, “If you not agree with, but that is put yourself in a position to be why he attracts attention. All raped, you must bear some in all, Tate is not a figure to be responsibility” amidst the #MeToo completely hated and is a very movement. Tate then switched misunderstood individual. Tate will platforms, moving to TikTok and be like any other TikTok trend as Youtube in 2022. Tate also began he will be remembered, but will podcasts sharing his beliefs on not have much of an effect in our marriage, relationships and dating. day-to-day lives,” Junior Abhishek Despite Tate’s massive following, Roy said. many viewers found his content By August 2022, Tate was sinister and worried about the banned from Instagram, Twitter, influence his posts would have Tiktok and Youtube, as stated by
the Revolutionary Program Design Newsletter. The platforms explained that they believed Tate spreads hate and banned him in order to protect others from his rhetoric. His statements degrading women were regarded as violations of Twitter’s terms of service. However, Tate’s Twitter account was reinstated following Elon Musk’s purchase of the company. Additionally, CBS News announced that Tate and his brother were detained on Dec. 29, 2022 on charges of involvement with an organized crime group associated with human trafficking. Prosecutors said they found six women had been sexually exploited by the group. Prosecutors claim the group recruited and housed women with the intention of using them to create pornagraphic material sold on websites. “Because of Tate’s influence, his viewers will think objectifying women is acceptable. It seemed like a joke at first, but now that Tate is in jail for human trafficking, we need to completely eliminate his platform so young kids will not be swayed by his content,” Sophomore Alisha Ahuja said. While Tate has been called out for his toxic and misogynistic behavior, and even been arrested, the influence he has on his audience is not forgotten. One student from the school remarked that he would continue to admire Tate despite his criminal charges.
