The Best Disabled Action Heroes in Movies
Exploring the representation of disabled characters in action movies and how they have been portrayed with depth and authenticity.
The Importance of Authentic Representation
Action movies have featured some awesome characters with disabilities throughout the years who are often overlooked by audiences and misunderstood by writers. As a result, many of the heroes with disabilities either receive minimized depictions in the form of weak writing, or excessively exaggerated depictions in the form of one's disability granting the character superpowers. While it's admirable that the entertainment industry is making greater strides to be more inclusive, clumsy writing can often be more harmful than good. With representation in Hollywood improving, it is still necessary for the industry to be mindful of how it portrays different groups.
Ed Elric preparing to summon a weapon using alchemy against a powerful foe in Fullmetal Alchemist
Diversity in action movies is of particular importance because action movies tend to have a much broader appeal to mainstream audiences than most other genres. It's also important to put people with disabilities in roles that traditionally only able-bodied characters have taken, adding extra impact to awareness of many of the struggles members of the disabled community navigate every day. Alternatively, failure to properly represent members of that community minimizes their existence. Even though it isn't a particularly regular occurrence, Hollywood has contributed to creating some of the best disabled action heroes through the years.
Inspiring Disabled Action Heroes
Fullmetal Alchemist (2017) features Edward 'Ed' Elrich, one of the best Shonen Jump heroes in manga history, who despite losing an arm and a leg, possesses an unyielding tenacity to do what's right, making him one of the most inspiring heroes in action movies.
A battered and bruised Zen clutches on to a sheathed katana as she prepares for battle in 2008's Chocolate
In the movie Chocolate (2008), protagonist Zen, a fierce young woman with autism, embarks on an action-packed journey without any absurd superpowers or Mary Sue-like tendencies. Zen endears audiences to her because she's seen working and training just as hard as an action movie character without any disabilities would, and she earns all of her victories through those merits.
War Machine uses his jet boosters to fly to Ironman's aid in Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil War (2016) introduces War Machine, who is severely wounded in combat, undergoing physical therapy and re-learning how to walk. The movie reinforces War Machine's tenacity not only as a soldier, but as a man as well. Audiences watch War Machine slowly but surely regain the use of his legs as well as his confidence in a way that feels genuinely well-thought-out and unforgettable.
War Machine in MCU Captain America The Winter Soldier
Unconventional Heroes with Disabilities
Planet Terror (2007) centers around Cherry Darling, a Texas go-go dancer who loses her right leg after a swarm of zombies tears it from her body. Instead of submitting to her predicament, Cherry decides to allow her missing leg to be replaced by an assault rifle and grenade launcher attachment that she uses to fight the zombies. Cherry is often the most brave character in the story who inspires those around her.
Spider-Man swings from War Machine in Captain America Civil War
Zatoichi (2003) is a blind swordsman who stumbles upon a conflict between two warring factions when he wanders into the wrong town. Despite being blind, he's an extremely skilled swordsman, inspiring the townspeople and striking fear into the hearts of the yakuza members. Zatoichi always attempts to instill proper morals into those who'll listen, thus reinforcing the swordsman's code of honor.
Marvel's Captain America: Civil War L to R: Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), War Machine/James Rhodey (Don Cheadle), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans), Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Vision (Paul Bettany), Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). Photo Credit: Film Frame © Marvel 2016
The X-Men franchise features Professor X, one of the best mentors in Marvel movies, who not only offers council to the young and impressionable mutants, but also to his enemies. His true power seems to be his ability to inspire hope into the hearts of those around him.
Ant-Man enlarged with War Machine in Captain America Civil War
