Part 6/12:
Critics often frame the physical demands placed on male actors as emasculating or unrealistic. However, these standards are a reflection of the characters they play—superhumans who perform extraordinary feats. Hollywood's goal is to create visually compelling, aspirational figures, and such bodies are a part of that storytelling.
The broader societal implication is the double standard: while women have received criticism for fulfilling beauty standards, men are also subjected to expectations rooted in the necessity of appearing strong and physically capable. When male actors achieve their physiques, it's often viewed as superficial or unhealthy; when women do the same, it can sometimes be dismissed as superficial or unrealistic.