Stereotypes

I think stereotypes in movies, video games, TV shows and other forms of entertainment can be a good thing and a bad thing. 

I believe it can be a good thing because it gives an exaggerated sense of character to the person playing the role to let the audience really understand.  For example, Anakin Skywalker from the newer films is a perfect example of toxic masculinity and plays a very exaggerated stereotype, but he wasn't always this way.  Anakin was feeling powerless (or not as masculine as he wanted), and because of this, became very toxic to the people around him. 

I also believe stereotypes can be a bad thing because of the way it represents men as a gender.  When movies portray men as (I'll continue with the toxic masculinity) toxic, some women may get the feeling that most men are that way.  But the same thing can be said about women in stereotypes.  Most TV shows that I've seen portrays women (mostly wives) as these "I'm always on my period and I'm a huge bitch" personality.  For example, "Everybody Loves Raymond", Raymond's wife Debra comes off as a feared woman, and quite frankly, a bitch.  And I'm sure there are many men out there that watch these shows and just think that's how all women are.

Stereotypes in general is a two edged sword.  On one end, a small use of it can drive a character's story and/or give a better understanding on their attitude and way of thinking when making decisions.  But the other edge of the sword, is adding too much stereotype to a character can come off as racist.  Some films actually push the envelope with the stereotypes to either make it completely unbelievable or make it into a comedy.  For example, Mean Girls, the film is mostly about spoiled white girls (and one African American girl), but it pushes the stereotype that white girls in a private high school are stuck up. 

I think with the way the country is going, I think we're going to see less and less stereotypes in movies, shows and video games because it seems that most people get offended too easily about things like this now a days.  In the 80's and 90's it was common (like described in Back to the Future with Biff about toxic masculinity).  I think with the right amount of stereotype, it can really push a character's story or even the story of a movie, but going too far and you're jumping into deep water.