Who has been the best girlfriend seen on the big screen?
Yesterday during Screened.com's The Screening Room of the first Iron Man movie, the question came up of who is the best girlfriend in a comic book movie. Every hero has to have a girl, right? It really depends on how you define the "best." Are you talking about the best looking, the coolest, or the one with the best character? There was also some debate whether or not if them having superpowers voids their role as a "girlfriend" (for example, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey). Let's think about some of the more notable comic book girlfriends.
We saw Megan Fox as "Lilah" in Jonah Hex. She was tough and could hold her own but that prostitute thing would be a turn off. Gweneth Paltrow played Pepper Potts. She could put Tony Stark in his place but we did see some tiny moments of cattiness. Jennifer Connelly played Betty Ross in Hulk. She could deal with the Hulk, had a brain and, I would say, a touch of class. Lynn Collins was Silver Fox in Wolverine Origins. Since she had powers, she could be eliminate if we decided to go that route. Kirsten Dunst was Mary Jane in the Spider-Man movies. I suppose some people liked her, right?
Others include Blake Lively as Carol Ferris in Green Lantern. There's only been a couple images released of her and we haven't seen how she'll come across in the movie. Someone mentioned Rosario Dawson as Gail or Brittany Murphy as Shellie, both from Sin City.
Who do I think is the best? == TEASER == I'm sure there are so many more possible candidates I haven't mentioned. We could be here all day listing them all. Normally I don't like these questions that sort of put you on the spot. This isn't a question I've sat and pondered. Without trying to give it too much thought, I think I would go with Jennifer Connelly's Betty Banner (as I sort of hinted above). She's pretty, classy and smart. It's been a while since I've seen that Hulk movie but I don't recall her doing the annoying screaming/damsel in distress thing.
I am curious to see who you guys think is the best comic book movie girlfriend. Who did I leave off? Who is your choice and why?
I really liked Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts in both Iron Man movies. I just liked the fact that their relationship felt really organic and she felt really genuine. It doesn't hurt that she actually seemed useful, together, and tough in comparison to say... Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane? (she's probably my least favorite, by the way)
I'd like to say Jennifer Connelly but every time I look at her I picture her final scene in Requiem for a Dream and I just can't get over that...the movie makes my soul hurt....so I've got to give it to Gweneth Paltrow
I think the love interest role works best when the character isn't just a damsel in distress. If they have more to do than just be saved all the time. I like it best when they are doing things like investigating, helping the hero, having problems of their own. That's why, in the first film, Pepper was interesting. Because she wasn't just someone who was constantly getting into trouble or a target or needing the heroes help. She was helping Stark run the company, and his life, helping Tony investigate and helping SHIELD. So, I guess, Pepper Pots has been the best so far. But that could just be how the character was written, and not the actress's portrayal. Also I am not just picking an actress I think is attractive either.
You left out a lot of superhero girlfriends, but out of the ones you mentioned I'd have to say Pepper Potts. Paltrow really displayed the strength of the character in my opinion. Plus I'd rather have a strong female character than some wimpy damsel in distress
Jennifer Connelly as Betty Ross was one of the saving graces of that movie; that shall remain nameless. Pepper Potts is a close second. Unfortunately, the romantic interest can rarely be flushed out in one movie… especially an origin tale. It takes a couple movies and most films haven’t been able to get to that point. Television series off the best chance for that but then tha’s a different post altogether.
Either Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, or Jen Garner as Electra, cant make up my mind, Vic was first but Jen got her own spin-off movie, even if it was horrible!
Yeah Jennifer Connolley was pretty great even if I didn't really like the first HULK. I also thougt Gwyneth was great as Pepper but I can't wait to see Emma Stone as Gwen I think she will be pretty great. Hopefully Blake Lively will be great as Carol Ferris.
I'm a huge Batman/Catwoman fangirl so my first instinct is to say Julie Newmar and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman are the best, but once the fangirl fog clears and I really think about the girlfriends I realize that there are quite a few awesome comic book movie girlfriends. Liv Tyler was great as Betty, as was Jennifer Connolley (I prefered Liv though), Gwenth as Pepper kicked ass (she kept Tony's ass in line as only she can!), Jennifer Garner was awesome as Elektra (can't say much for Afleck as DD but Jen was great!), Jean Grey was good up until she killed Scott, Rogue sucked (it pains me to say that, because Rogue has always been one of my favorites), and I loved Silverfox!!
But there are also some crappy ones. Kate Bosworth sucked ass as Lois Lane, Kirsten Dunst was just horrible as MJ (especially Spidey 3), and I find anything that Megan Fox's acting makes me want to puke.
And technically, she wasn't a girlfriend in the Catwoman movie but good God Halle Berry was just terrible as Catwoman!! The Catwoman fangirl that lives in my head wouldn't let me not say that.
Having a crush Jennifer Connellyfor so many years..I guess I'll go with her :P Hey! Seems like everyone does too!
Anyway, her character was nicely written, better than some others here (Mary Jane..is...so bland! Come on! Admit it!)
Why does all those superhero come down to love stories? It seems like most of those are romance stories, with a light superheroic-paintjob over it... Hollywood writters, these days...
Lynn Collins as Silver Fox. I think Kristen Dunst, Gwynyth Paltrow, Margor Kidder, Katie Holmes, Maggie Gyllenhaal (possibly the worst) and Kate Bosworth were all terrible choices.
Jennifer Connelly, Liv Tyler and Kim Basinger were all good choices. Meg Fox is great to look at in anything, but I haven't seen Johah Hex yet, so I can't comment.
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