All posts by brandonbaskerville

Narrative

Narrative Analysis of Pan’s Labyrinth

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In Pan’s Labyrinth the study of the narrative is important because the narrative follows several different themes. From Ofelia trying to find her way to the home Pan told her about to the rebels trying to fight against the fascist regime being but in place by  Captain Vidale.

Some of the reasons as to why the narrative is important to understanding this film is:

  • We understand the different reasons as to why the different characters do what they do and what their goal is.
  • We understand the different conflicts between the different characters which is important since not all the conflicts are connected.
  • The structure of the film is easier to understand
  • we discover the various functions of the different characters
  • The themes are easier to find and understand.
Narrative

Narrative Analysis of a Pixar Movie.

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We chose the film: Up.

The main structural elements are the different acts and the main features that make up these acts. Such as:

  • The Disruption.  In the case of Up, the Disruption is when Carl find Russel on his house when he starts flying towards South America.
  • The Climax. This is when the bird that they find gets taken by Charles Muntz.
  • The Revelation. This is when Carl is faced with the decision of saving Russel and their bird from Charles or his house.
  • The Equilibrium. This is at the end of the film when carl decides to give up his dream and settle at home and to act as a grandfather figure for Russel.

The main Character types we see are

  • The protagonist: Carl Fredrickson
  • The Antagonist: Charles Muntz

The Conflicts and Themes that are presented by this film are the unhealthy obsessions with the past and holding on to past memories too much rather than creating new ones in the future. Carl shows his decision to stop relying on his past memories when he makes the choice to save Russel rather than his house. Charles show his obsession with his past as catching the bird is clearly the only thing he cares about and has cared about for the last few years.

 

 

Textual Analysis

Mise en scene in the Captain’s Feast.

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The elements of mise-en-scene in the scenes with the guests suggest several things that we can assume about their characters. For example when they enter the room in their introductory scene, they seem to look down on Carmen which seems to propose the idea that they are superior to her even though she is the Captains wife.  Their clothes are dark in colour and imperialistic which implies their allegiance to the Captain as he represents the fascist regime that was being implemented in Spain at the time. The lighting is mostly dark apart from the faint glow of the fire on their faces.  The crucifix on the priests chest is lit in the light seemingly emphasising his role in the Church which is ironic since he approves of the Captains slaughter of the rebels.

The priest also is worried that there won’t be enough food for him. Again this is ironic because he is showing himself to be selfish and not thoughtful for the others around the table. The two sisters ask Carmen how she met the Captain and upon hearing this they give a slight chuckle, almost implying that they know that the Captain doesn’t really love Carmen and is only with her for his child. Their hair is very tight and tucked up, this shows that they are strict people who normally are quite cruel to those who they see are below them. The priests crucifix can also represent his wealth, this is the reason why he sees himself over others.

 

Genre

Genre Analysis of Pan’s Labyrinth.

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Reasons to show that Pan’s Labyrinth fits into the genre of Fantasy

  • The scenery in Pan’s Labyrinth is very similar to most Fantasy Films.
  • Some of the main characters that Ophelia meets are very fantastical: fairies, Pan the fawn and the big frog.
  • The heavy use of CGI to create the monsters and creatures.
  • There is a mentor character who helps and gives advice to the main character.
  • One Specific theme with the monsters in fantasy films is that they are all pale and deathly.

Reasons as to why Pan’s Labyrinth doesn’t fit in with the Fantasy Genre.

  •  The set dressing is in a small setting whereas, normal fantasy films have large, city-like settings.
  • In the ending of Pan’s Labyrinth, Ophelia dies instead of killing the villain.
  • A major part of the story is a definitive war film rather than a fantasy film.
  • The villain is a war general instead of the traditional evil wizard or king.
Genre

Genre Poster

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This is a poster of the elements of the genre: Musicals.

We drew some of the major features of the typical musical film as well as some examples of musicals themselves. For example, most musicals have their titles written in a big stylised, font to attract attentions too it and to show the glamour of the film itself, like “The Greatest Showman”. Some of the other elements of the musical genre is the optimistic sidekick that accompanies the main character and gives them advice, such as: Zazu who gives advice and help to Simba or Flounder, who helps Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Some of the other elements in a musical film is that of a tragic narrative that leads to a redemptive ending. The film Moulin Rouge! gives a perfect example of this as it starts of by showing the main character in a happy life who falls in love and has his story continues his life becomes more and more tragic until the grand finish. Musicals use the use of songs and lyrics to show the theme in that specific scene. In more sombre scenes the music is more slow and darker and has more intimidating lyrics whereas, the more hopeful scenes have lighter lyrics and more big and triumphant music.

Some of the examples of musicals we put down were: The Lion King, Frozen and references too some of the original Disney films. I think the original Disney musicals such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid were made as musicals to appeal to young children as they were the main target market.

Editor

My Favorite Film

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I enjoyed Hacksaw Ridge because the genre and the setting fits one of may favourite genres: War Films. The story is also very well told and is a brilliant re-telling of Desmond Doss’s real experiences.

I think that the Macro features of theme and genre defiantly have a part in the main reasons why I love this film. For example the fact that it is a war film is one of the reasons why I enjoy it because I like the setting and I find the time period interesting. As well as this the theme and the message that the film gives off is one that really appeals to me as its about faith and doing as much good as you can no matter the odds.

Because there are so many war films, some would say that this is the same as all the others  but, even though it is similar but they are all different in there own aspects. For example, some of the more cliche war films are about the heroes overcoming the enemy, killing them all and winning. In Hacksaw Ridge, Desmond Doss overcomes the enemy but without harming anyone and saves his friends.