Iron Man 3 - Bechdel Test Movie List (original) (raw)

Iron Man 3 passes in both the literal sense and the spirit of this test.

Literally:

1. Maya Hansen is introduced twice by full name, while Pepper Potts was already established.

2. Both women are the most significant supporting characters. Maya actually has more depth than the primary villain(s), and nearly as much facetime.

3. The primary vehicle for the plot is Maya's invention. She and Pepper share an establishing scene talking about Maya's work and, more importantly, the corruption of "pure" science by ambition. (Yes, she mentions Wernher von Braun, but allegorically and in passing, and refers to "we" clearly as herself and scientists in general.) This scene sets up the third act and its dialogue is referenced at the end, an emotional montage that would otherwise make no sense.

Both female characters have independent jobs and functions (Pepper has essentially taken over Tony's company), both are manipulated by the same men, which is the vehicle for bringing them together, but there's no implication that they're foolish or stupid. Their lives clearly don't revolve around male characters, they're simply intertwined (Pepper and Tony are in a "committed relationship," while Maya's relationship with the villain is not indicated to be sexual and is out of convenience.)

Aside from the gimmicky but important twist on the "damsel in distress" trope (which occurs immediately after a powerful male character needs saving), another significant detail that sets this movie apart from the previous entries (as well as comic book movies/movies in general) is that the primary female characters are regarded as useless trophies ONLY by the villain. The distinction of use vs. respect is made drastically by the end, and Tony's respect for women becomes a theme of his character's development. Tony even cries/reacts with emotion other than anger when both male and female characters are harmed.

Yes, this is Iron Man, not Iron Woman, and the main character is given main character treatment, but for an action/pop-corn flick, it stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. Hell, it towers over most of the whole genre!

And, no, I'm not an Iron Man fanboy. Never cared much for the comics, and the second movie royally sucked, including its denigration of women. I'm a humanist, sex-positive male, who believes in giving credit where it's due.