Assignment Brief -
Analysis of Narrative and Stylistic Codes and Conventions of Film Genres
Fantasy Films
Fantasy films explore many
themes that contain elements of magic, mythology that can mix in cultures
together to separate reality as we would know from our everyday lives. Some
take place in alternate fantasy worlds or be presented in modern day time
involving whatever fantasy is considered fantasy.
Big Trouble in Little
China
The fantasy film I have picked
is Big Trouble in Little China directed by John Carpenter, released in 1986. A
mixture of fantasy and martial arts blending together Chinese legends into a
modern Chinatown in San Francisco. The film has all the notions of an excellent
ensemble of cinematography, soundtrack, special effects, make-up and costume
design. All of these helped tell the story around this film, to personalize it
as a cult classic, and from here I will mention all the codes and conventions
this film contained. The soundtrack, composed by John Carpenter, presents the tone and
atmosphere perfectly; with a sense of tension, mystery, to add to the rhythm of
some scenes. The narrative follows Jack Burton, a truck driver who, after
meeting his friend Wang Chi, ends up in the middle of a conflict after Wang
Chi’s fiancé is taken by the immortal Lo Pan, who intends to sacrifice her in
order to gain a mortal body. Having been introduced to the situation which goes
beyond any comprehension, Jack goes out of his way to help his friend, and at
the end of it, get his truck back. This suits the narrative structure of
equilibrium being interrupted, where the plot goes forward to resolve the
conflict back to an equilibrium state. The costume designs were what made the
characters of Big Trouble in Little China iconic. Costumes are one of the key
objectives in a fantasy film, to differentiate them from the real world. The
characters Lo Pan and the Three Storms, follow the conventions that fit a
fantasy film. The aim of the costume designs was to follow Chinese themes and
culture. There are a few notable character costume designs that I wish to make
mention of. The ones that stood out in my mind were the Three Storm characters.
To fit the Chinese theme of the movie, they were suited with a mixture of
clothing to make them the stand out antagonists. They wore straw hats, yet had
different clothing to individualize them. Another character known as Lo Pan,
has a unique costume design, which all the more makes him the key icon of Big
Trouble in Little China. The choreography and special effects are well done to
make captivating action sequences. One sequence I’ll mention that follows these
conventions, is the final fight near the end of the film. The sequence involves
the three main characters; Jack Burton, Wang Chi and Egg Shen, going against Lo
Pan and the Three Storms. The scene blends together the choreography and
special effects to create a fantastic sequence. How this fits the fantasy genre
is down to the course of the scene. Fantasy films often pit the heroes against
the main antagonists, usually defeating them in different fashion; which is how
the sequence I mentioned played out in Big Trouble in Little China. John
Carpenter’s score adds a perfect rhythm to give us the impression of a fun
martial arts film.
Based
on all of this, Big Trouble in Little China holds very well together as a
fantastic film that is considered a cult classic; blending all special
filmmaking techniques to give this movie originality. It is one of my favorites
that I would gladly watch every now and again.
King Arthur: Legend of the
Sword
A film directed by Guy Ritchie
based on the Arthurian Legends. Released in 2017, this fantasy film is well
crafted by its cinematography, visuals, soundtrack and editing. All of these
make King Arthur an excellent film that in my eyes will become a classic over
time. The pacing throughout the film has been well thought out; taking in all
considerations of the conventions. The editing to me is the best part of the
film among other things. In various scenes, in particularly scenes in the film;
the soundtrack composed by Daniel Pemberton, manages to fit perfectly with the
moods and atmosphere this film presents. Some of his tracks match up with some
fast-paced scenes that are cut and pieced together fantastically. The action is
a common component of most fantasy films; as they often intend to involve a
struggling conflict fought between opposing forces. It is meant to express the
characters’ resolve to achieve their goals through any means necessary. It is
cut a lot more compared to Big Trouble in Little China in its action scenarios,
though both hold a perfect rhythm to their own editing and cinematography
style. The editing is brilliantly structured for King Arthur; and when it comes
to editing, in whichever movies or shows I watch, I hope to be engrossed into
them. The special effects were done really well to convey key scenes throughout
the film involving Arthur and the sword, Excalibur; the key object of the
movie, that required a prop to fit with the narrative structure of a fantasy
film such as King Arthur, and it was mesmerizing to it put to use in particular
scenes in the film; which were spectacular to see as it drew you in with the
scenes that appeared within the film, which worked immensely with the editing
style, as it wasn’t to flashy and showed everything you needed to see. King
Arthur kept me interested by its narrative brought together with all the
techniques that would make or break a film. The narrative followed young Arthur
having discovered he is the next heir of his father, and he is soon thrown into
conflict with his uncle, who killed his mother and father to become king.
Arthur plays a reluctant hero in this film, showing hesitation in accepting
Excalibur’s power, something that can be common in some heroes. His uncle
Vortigern, is a deviant person, doing whatever he can to become ruler of
England through his own desires; a common trait you would have for villains.
Various people want to help Arthur defeat Vortigern and become the rightful
king. So here we have the stages of normality shifting under a sudden threat arising,
where everything has to be restored to its original order of peace. King
Arthur: Legend of the Sword makes a clear and strong narrative that leaves you
marveling at every scene with the combinations of filmmaking techniques. If I
can say anything about King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, I can say that it is a
very good movie that I would watch in my spare time.
Science-Fiction
The science-fiction genre
explores all concepts regarding scientific advancement in technology; in
alternate futures or parallel worlds. Travel between time and space. All
possible ideas of a future beyond our comprehension, concepts of the changes in
the world that we cannot predict.
Tron: Legacy
A sequel to the original Tron
movie, starring Jeff Bridges; this film explores all of the constructs of
filmmaking. From its perfect use of visuals, composed soundtrack and sequences.
Having released many years after the first Tron movie, there were a lot of new
ways they made this stand out in modern day time in comparison to Tron back in
1982. Tron: Legacy included new visuals that you can compare to the visuals of
the first Tron movie. The visual style is dark, yet bright with good uses of
color. The soundtrack was produced by the band, Daft Punk, who brought an
excellent style of music to Tron: Legacy. The music was perfect in making the
atmosphere in the world of Tron. I was very fond of the action sequences; they
weren’t too complicated, and they had a variety within Tron: Legacy. The plot
revolves around Sam Flynn (played by Garret Hedlund), entering the world of the
Grid after searching for his father. Upon entering, he discovers the program
CLU has taken the Grid under his own rule. Sam later meets Quorra and his
father, Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges. Together the three of them attempt
to escape the Grid and prevent CLU from invading the real world. Tron: Legacy’s
story features a clear narrative and the role of the characters involved. We
have our protagonists, and the antagonists along with other side characters
that play a part in the narrative. It is clear from the start when the
equilibrium has been broken as soon as the character Sam Flynn entered the
world of the Grid; from there he had to get out with his father and restore
equilibrium. The most memorable moment in the original Tron movie was the light
cycle sequence; here in Tron: Legacy, they managed to replicate that moment in
a new fashion. Introducing the light cycles in Tron: Legacy, the imagery was
well crafted to make the sequence a mesmerizing moment of the film. The method
of the special effects for this film was done by blue screen with some
practical scenery to create the world of Tron. Like any sci-fi film, it’s good
to utilize the technology in creating a spectacle that people can marvel at.
This is a fitting use to match the conventions of a sci-fi movie that fits the
genre. It was exciting to also see the disc battles in the movie, as they are
an interesting concept in Tron. The choreography was well executed to set up
well paced action sequences throughout the film. Everything in this movie
beautifully captures an immersive experience of an alternate science-fiction
world, which is everything science-fiction movies should aim for. Tron: Legacy
is a particular Sci-fi film that I would add as among one of my favorites that
would forever thrill me to no end. If anything, I would gladly await to see the
next Tron movie and see where it goes whenever another one is made.
The Transformers: The
Movie
Based on the animated series
of the 80’s, this movie, having released in 1986, is widely a classic among
fans of the cartoon and original toy line. The film expresses many codes and
conventions of a science-film genre. There are many spectacular moments
throughout the film that you just can’t forget. It’s a different type Sci-fi
movie when looking at Tron: Legacy; having released a couple of years after the
first Tron movie, this animated movie is depicted as a science-adventure film. When
I was growing up, this was one of my favorite films to watch on DVD, and the
thing I loved the most about it was the music. The songs were to me,
motivational, as in certain scenes of the film, whenever a song played; it made
things hopeful for the heroes of this movie. These songs are what made
Transformers: The Movie memorable for me, as they are something I can listen to
and never get bored of, and true 80’s music. The colors, lighting and sound
effects still hold the animation well together. When it came to hand drawn
animation, the production in Transformers: The Movie was spectacular; perfectly
distinguishing particular characters with the color schemes, while adding in
the ships and weapon props, along with other planets that are common to have in
a sci-fi film. It blended all of the essential components to making a
science-fiction adventure film. To fictional transforming robots, grand scale
battles and other science-fiction themes. A scene that I would say illustrated
all that I mentioned, is the Autobot City battle. Throughout the whole course
of the battle, we are presented with all the conventions in making spectacular
science-fiction film sequences. The film is an absolute blast and is something
you can simply enjoy whenever you feel like watching it. Transformers: The
Movie is a piece of my childhood that I will treasure for as long as I live.
Working on this assignment, I
have managed to analyze different comparisons between films of the same genre.
Making these analytical comparisons have helped me understand a lot more
regarding the codes and conventions of film techniques. By including all of the
techniques in making a film; such as: soundtrack, editing, cinematography and
the mise en scene that make up the narrative for films, I was able to grasp a
greater comprehension on the codes and conventions around film genres.
Comparing films is a useful way of learning how to produce films based on
whatever style is in mind for a film production. In future lessons, I will be
sure to take note of all that I’ve learnt in order to better comprehend the
technical features in films when given assignments.
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