Home Alone Analysis

Content
This film has been rated a U which is the lowest rating out of all my films. This means people of all ages can watch this film even very young children. The film contains mild comic violence but nothing serious and no bad language is used throughout, parents may want to accompany very young children as the film does have villains who could be scary to small children.
Structure
Like near enough all the films I have analysed the linear narrative has been used again showing every scene in chronological order, there are no flashbacks and no voice over’s used. As this film is viewable for children of all ages the structure of the film needs to have a clear structure so that young children and children of all ages can understand it and follow the story line easily without getting confused or lost, because of this the film is more realistic to watch and it appears as though the events are happening in front of your eyes. This structure is used in most of the films I have analysed therefore I think it would be a good idea to take this into consideration as it is clearly the most popular and most successful.
Codes and conventions
Family is important in this film, just like all the others. Children seem very popular in comedy films as they don’t plan to be funny, they just are. The villains in comedy films are also very funny as they aren’t supposed to be taken too seriously. This is shown in home alone 4 as the villains are very stupid and clearly have no idea what they are doing.
The scene I have chosen to analyse is when Kevin goes to stay with his dad and sees his new room. The room is full of games and TV’s and is very large. We then go back to Kevin’s mum’s house and you see his old room which is small and childlike where as his new room is much more grown up. When we see Kevin in his new room again he seems much more grown up to the childlike boy who not long ago was fighting with his siblings.
Themes
Family is the main theme in this film. Kevin finds being the younger sibling really hard and takes for granted everything he has. After living with his dad for a while and having to take care of two villains who are up to no good he realises how much he needs his family and misses them. This has the same principles as Bruce almighty but it portrayed in a much more childlike way. As this film has a lower rating to Bruce Almighty.


Development over time
The home alone films have been around for years and have changed and updated throughout. The principle of the films has stayed the same where as characters and small details have changed. I personally think the films have gotten worse over the years and the original cast and story line was the best. I think

Hot Fuzz Analysis

Content
This film has also been rated as a 15 which means it is only appropriate for people over the age of 15. Strong violence is used in this film and although it is obviously comical it could easily be upsetting for certain viewers. The language used in this film is also very strong making it unsuitable for young viewers. I think many age groups will like this film as it doesn’t even slightly take itself seriously and that’s obvious from the beginning of the film.
Structure
The film follows the linear narrative as everything in the film happens in chronological order. Starting with how PC Angel is originally working in London and is then transferred. Right at the beginning of the film a small selection of flashbacks are shown of PC Angel’s career. At this point a voice over is also used to explain what is happening in each scene. These are the only flashbacks and the only time a voice over is used in the whole film. This film follows the same structure as superbad and also has flashbacks like superbad.
Codes and conventions
Again friendship is important in the film but that doesn’t become apparent till about half way through. Blood and gore appears a lot in this film and the deaths involved happen in an extremely comical way making the blood and gore not as shocking. All characters involved in the film, much like the hangover are all very different which makes their banter together very funny. Also the relationship PC Angel and Danny establish makes very comical viewing.
The part of the film I have chosen to analyse is near the ending and is pretty much the biggest scene in the whole film. Sergeant Angel has finally realised what the village is up to and makes his way to the castle to confront them all. The lighting used it extremely dark to show its night time and add suspense to the whole scene. A panning shot is used throughout the scene to show everyone involved in the conspiracy. The costumes the villages are wearing are all identical; they are wearing black robes and have two ways with them showing they are all part of the same pact. Dramatic music is used again like the lighting; this adds suspense to the scene. The villagers all have flash lights and when talking to Sergeant Angel they shine them on him which creates a spot light effect.
Themes
Friendship is a huge theme throughout the film. Also the outcomes of the incidents in the film are very unlikely; you won’t expect any of the outcomes or the people involved in the incidents. This film has many elements of horror involved although they are done in a comical way some viewers may find it disturbing.
Development over time
This film like the previous two is very modern and may only be found appropriate by young generations. Simon Pegg (Sergeant Angel) has made and starred in many similar films which may give him a pre determined audience that would be interested in this film.

School Of Rock Analysis

Content
This film has been rated a PG which means it is suitable for all age groups but young children should be accompanied by an adult this is due to mild language and mild sex references. I think this film is appropriate for people of all ages especially children as it is about children but adults would also find this film enjoyable.
Structure
The film like most of the films I have analysed followers the linear narrative meaning everything happens in chronological order this makes the plot of the story more realistic and the story line much easier to follow, therefore viewers feel like they’re involved in the film and know exactly what’s going on and as this film is a PG young children will find this film easier to understand.
Codes and conventions
Police offers have been a common interest throughout the films I have analysed. This is because the police are usually people who should be taken seriously so in comedy films it’s funny to laugh at them and make them look stupid. In the film school of rock a teacher is used to be made out as an idiot. Comedy films like to make fun of people of authority as in everyday life you can’t do that so it makes it good viewing for audiences.
The part of the film I have chosen to analyse is when Mr S first takes over the class. He is dressed as a typical geeky teacher. A panning shot is used across the room to show the whole class and the teacher standing at the front. This scene is funny as Mr S is not a typical teacher; he talks about having a hangover and takes food off the children to eat himself during class. He also tells one of his students to shut up. All the children have very different personalities which makes the whole class a lot funnier as they all bond with their teacher in different ways. The class room is decorated with colourful pictures and posters making the whole scene a lot more childlike. The children are wearing typical school uniform although it is very smart which shows the school is probably expensive to attend.
Themes
Doing something you believe in and not judging a book by its cover again is a theme throughout this film showing just because someone doesn’t look like they are capable of something it doesn’t mean they won’t try their best and follow through. At first Dewy doesn’t think is capable of being a teacher and is only doing it to earn money but in the end he realises he is really good as working as a teacher and has made a special bond with the children.

Development over time
This film will be appropriate to all generations. Especially men who when they were younger dreamed of making it in a boy band, this has been an occurrence with boys for many years so a lot of people can relate to it. This film is about chasing your dreams, which everyone can relate to which is what made this film so popular.

Superbad Analysis

Content
The target audience for this film is teenagers (15+) to young adults (early 20’s). This is because this film has been rated a 15 which means no one under the age of 15 should watch this film due to sex references, violence and bad language. I don’t think this film will appeal to many adults over the age of 25 as is a film based around high school students and therefore doesn’t really appeal to them.
Structure
The film follows the linear narrative because all events run in chronological order although some characters have sort of ‘flashbacks’ of how they would like a situation to turn out but it’s not reality, just fantasy. This film follows the structure of exposition – climax – resolution. The two main characters start the film being total no body’s and want to find a way to become somebody’s before they leave high school. They fall out after an argument at a party then they end the film becoming friends again but accepting the fact that they won’t be able to see each other anymore. It’s a very easy structure to follow which helps the audience get more involved therefore being able to understand the film. During the flashbacks a voice over is used to help explain what is going on. Flashbacks are used in a number of the films I am analysing which makes it typical of the genre.
Codes and conventions
Throughout all the films I am analysing friendship is a main importance. All films involve main characters having close bonds with each other. This works well with the genre of comedy as it shows that over time characters have got used to each other’s personalities therefore when they insult each other it isn’t taken personally and is found comical by viewers. A lot of references to sex are made in this film that is found comical by young viewers. Also the characters personalities are very geeky which adds humour to the movie.
In the scene I have chosen to analyse ‘McLovin’ is being questioned by the police after being attacked trying to buy alcohol illegally. McLovin is dressed like a typical geeky character and the police are dressed in regular uniform, carrying guns which shows its set in America. When the police are on camera mostly two shots are used to show they are together and a team. When talking to McLovin over the shoulder shots are used showing they are talking to him personally. The lighting in this scene shows its daytime as everything is brightly lit.
Themes
It’s very obvious that superbad is a comedy as the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. The acting in the film isn’t amazing and the situations involved are extremely unrealistic but that’s what makes the film so funny, you don’t have to take it seriously when you watch it.
Development over time
I think this film shows a good representation of teenagers today and although the film and characters are very American this film reminds me of a UK serious called ‘The inbetweeners’ showing that there is not much difference in teenagers from all over the world.

The Hangover Analysis

Content
The certificate of this film is a 15 therefore it is only suitable for people over the age of 15. This, like superbad is due to the language in the film. As well of this violence is used a lot in the film and although it is done in a comical way young children may be heavily influenced by it, even more so that it makes people laugh as they may think they’re being funny.
Structure
The Hangover follows the non-linear narrative as the beginning of the film is a scene that is later repeated at the end of the film. The fact that the end scene is played at the beginning influences the audience to think that the film ends in a different way therefore although viewers think they have seen the end if the film the end result will actually be a complete surprise to them. This is a different structure to most of the films I have analysed and is a structure I may look at using myself. There is no voice over or flashbacks used in the film.
Codes and conventions
There are a lot of jokes used in the film to make viewers laugh and make it obvious it’s a comedy. The characters in the film are all completely different to each other making them all funny in their own way. Like Superbad friendship has an extremely important part of this film. Mike Tyson stars in the hangover which will bring in a pre determined audience of Mike Tyson fans.
The scene I have chosen to analyse is the scene where all the friends have just got ready and are making their way out. The characters make their way to the top of the roof to have a drink before heading out. All the characters are dressed smart apart from Alan who is wearing casual clothes for a night out, this is funny as Alan is quite a comical character. The lighting is dark showing it is night time however there are many lights in the background showing the clubs and bars that are open and making it clear that the group of friends are in Vegas. A song is played while the friends make a toast, the song is very much a party song which shows the audience the friends are going out for the night.
Themes
This film, very much like superbad is an obvious comedy. The situations in the film are so unrealistic and even though characters appear to be concerned at first when something bad happens, they shortly forget it. Many people can relate to the hangover, as if sure young people have gone out, woken up the next morning and couldn’t remember anything about the night before. The hangover just takes this to another level making it an extreme version of a typical persons night out.

Development over time
This is a modern film that young people can relate to. I think this film will only be popular with this generation as previous generations wouldn’t have really experienced nights out anywhere near as close to this.

White Chicks Analysis

Content
This film has been rated a 15, this means it is inappropriate for people under the age of 15 to watch this film. This is due to the language used and the references to sex. The film in my opinion would appeal most to young teenagers and young adults as the humour contained is quite young and older people may not find it very funny.
Structure
The film like many of the other films I have analysed follows the linear narrative where everything runs in chronological order which makes the film more realistic and makes it look as though the events are taking place in front of the audience’s eyes. This gets the audience more involved in the film and makes the plot easier to follow. There are no flash backs in the film and there are also no voice over’s again helping add realism to the film.
Codes and conventions
Friendship again is shown throughout this film which makes it a very important part of comedy films and is something I should apply to my film to make it successful. The film is mocking celebrities and celebrity parties. Paris Hilton is one of the main people mocked in the film. The film is based around two FBI agents. The police force seems very popular in comedy in films as they are usually people to be taken seriously.
I have chosen to analyse the scene where ‘Tiff’ eats cheese when she is lactose intolerant so ends up having to rush to the toilet but the girls go with him. The sound of ‘Tiff’ on the toilet is made very dramatic and over the top making everything sound un realistic which many people will find funny. The lighting used is light but you can tell the characters are indoors in this case in the toilet. The girls are all dressed very nicely and it’s clear they have money as the clothes they are wearing look very designer, one of the girls is even wearing Burberry which is a top design showing they are all fashion conscious and wealthy.
Themes
Again friendship is an important theme throughout the film starting with the two FBI agents at the beginning having a special bond going through to the group of girls who are all very alike and close. Work is another important theme in this film as the FBI agents take their work seriously although making mistakes they always try and do the right thing and work hard to impress their boss which in the end they do. This film also shows you not to judge a book by its cover as the FBI agents are in disguise and the girls really get on with the new ‘Brit and Tif’ and when they find out in the end it was FBI agents in disguise, they realise it doesn’t matter as they liked the new sisters anyway so decided to meet up with them in the future ending the film on a good note.