4 ms·
Yup, while the misoginy is more than evident, I agree with you that the root of evil there is their desire to make their shows as profitable as possible.
by almosnow 13y ago
Yup, while the misoginy is more than evident, I agree with you that the root of evil there is their desire to make their shows as profitable as possible.
- Tyrannosaurs 13y agoWouldn't it be more accurate to say "make their shows as profitable as possible in ways they already understand"? The piece mentions Harry Potter and while the lead character may be a boy, the smartest character is a girl and as a franchise that did OK. Sure not everything is going to be Harry Potter but it, Hunger Games, Buffy and so on show it's more than possible to have a franchise that has a mixed audience and still works. It feels more of a "we know how this works and we're comfortable with it" thing than an absolute profit maximisation.
- ps4fanboy 13y agoHow many little boys do you think are asking their parents for hunger games toys this Christmas?
- seanmcdirmid 13y agoI was like...why would they even produce such a thing...oh...wait. http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=12656761 http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=12656761 Made as a Barbie toy no less....
- DanBC 13y agoThey're called 'action figures' because "boys don't want to play with dolls". Some bits of the toy industry are deeply unpleasant.
- Tyrannosaurs 13y agoReminds me of that great flow chart for determining whether a toy is meant for boys or girls: Q1: Is the toy operated using the child's genitals: Yes - it is suitable for neither boys nor girls. No - it is suitable for either boys or girls.
- ars 13y agoWhat about the Harry Potter Nimbus 2000 Broomstick? And if you don't know what I'm talking about google it a bit.
- Tyrannosaurs 13y agoI'm aware of it. I'm not sure "operated" was the right word but still possibly not suitable for kids...
- seanmcdirmid 13y agoOnly the $1 toys left over from the previous movie are action figures, the toys for the new movie are most definitely Barbie...
- DanBC 13y agoI don't know why I messed that! Yes. It's very weird seeing action figures (realistic body shape) next to Barbie (FREAK OF NATURE).
- Tyrannosaurs 13y agoLooking on Amazon I can see action figures (not just the Barbie ones), stationary sets, board games, card games, jewelry (including some leather stuff which boys might like), bookmarks and if someone isn't doing a bow and arrow then the merchandising people are idiots. Plus there are books and DVDs. Sure, some of it is going to be bought by girls but if you look at the action figures, they don't look like they're being marketed at girls. Anecdotally, the kids down the road from me love Hunger Games and chief among them is the 14 year old boy. (He and I talk a lot about books and films - he's my cover for going to see rubbish superhero movies).
- ps4fanboy 13y agoYeah I am just pointing out that the movie itself was clearly marketed for the female audience, and the toys available reflect that strategy.