In a galaxy far, far away, a woman serves a purpose in the intergalactic war that has nothing to do with her complicated love life. Yes, feminists everywhere can rejoice at the fact that Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, is the badass protagonist that any galaxy in peril could hope for. J.J. Abrams, whose short but noted track record of strong female leads seen in series like "Felicity" and "Alias," confided that the space adventure reboot be a film that “mothers could take their daughters to.”
Don’t get me wrong – Carrie Fischer as Princess Leia amplified the sassy heroine sidekick for the next 30-plus years. However, Hollywood has repeatedly used the same trope for the façade of a strong female lead, which often forms the sassy chick that can usually hold her own, until she falls short and needs to be saved. I walked out of the theatre with a new hero. Besides the fact we have the same name (representation is fun), Rey ignited a pride in me I’ve felt for few other films.
Even movies such as "Bridesmaids" or "Trainwreck," both regarded as movies geared towards women, can be considered feminist still rely on plots regarding their male counterparts. Instead of focusing on the sexuality of feminism, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" simply handed Rey, a surviving scavenger with a heart of gold, a blue lightsaber and the fate of the galaxy.
Along with this representation of our protagonist, "The Force Awakens" passes the Bechdel Test with flying colors. If you’re new here, the Bechdel Test, developed by Alison Bechdel in 1985, is a test to measure how gender-balanced the cast is. In order for a film to pass the Bechdel Test, it requires at least two women that discuss something other than a man. With a certain slave outfit in mind, the original trilogy does not pass the test. In fact, Princess Leia is the only female in each of Lucas’s films that says more than a few sentences. Moreover, women other than Princess Leia only account for 63 seconds of speaking time out of 23,160 seconds in the entire franchise.
Aside from Ridley, Fischer is the only other woman starring in the recent blockbuster. Maybe by "Episode IX" women will be the majority of the cast! (A girl can dream.) The women weren't treated too kindly either, I suppose. The only thing that Leia had for herself was her alliance with The Republic, and that shit got blown up in the first half of the movie. And even though she is the General for, oh I don't know, the Resistance, C3P0 and Han Solo slip up multiple times and call her "Princess"? Finn trying to hold your hand and make moves while dodging death on the Millennium Falcon? Selling parts for half portions of food every day? These are tough women. These are strong women. These women survive. Rey is the badass bitch the light needs. But don't get me wrong -- I'm low key stanning for Rey/Poe in "Episode VIII."
