Rhys Groves

Yet another film where an 8-stone woman effortlessly defeats hulking military men — all supposedly elite mercenaries hired for their combat prowess. Somehow, she's the only one capable of wiping the floor with them, while the men are reduced to background props or portrayed as hopelessly incompetent. Funny how in these worlds, villains never seem to hire women as bodyguards. If women were truly the superior choice for physical protection, surely the likes of Mr. Black and his evil empire would catch on. But no — only the heroes get superhuman female fighters while male characters become increasingly emasculated. The film tries so hard to avoid making the male lead masculine that it's almost laughable. And in this “lawless society” setting, where brute force and survival instinct would actually matter, we’re somehow meant to believe the delicate lead heroine will carry us all to safety — again. It’s not that strong female characters don’t belong — they absolutely do — but when it’s done this lazily and unrealistically, it feels more like pandering than storytelling. Let me know if you want it angrier, more sarcastic, or toned down a bit.