Feministically Satisfying - almost

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2012)

My only complaint about this excellent action movie with strong female characters (Marvel, can we PLEEEASE have a Black Widow movie now??? What's her story??? We want to know! She's interesting!) is that it did not pass the Bechdel Test.
For those of you who don't know this test, it's three simple questions: 1) Were there two or more female characters with names? 2) Did they speak to each other at any time? 3) If yes on #2, did they speak to each other about something other than a man?
The bad news is that this movie does not pass this test. But good writing is good writing... and it was so satisfying to see the story overflow with character development, cooperation and friendships. It was great seeing gorgeous Black Widow holding the team at the center as a woman (okay, an ass-kicking woman), with no fuss or sexism, just plain old everyday respect, fighting her own battles, and still be able to have a personal moment full of heart and soul.
Read my essay, "The Perilous Pumps of Pepper Potts," about heroines, feet, and the two main women in this movie at http://wanderingpie.blogspot.com/2012/05/avenge-this.html