Collapsing of the structure/boundary:
The structure begins with a stereotypical Hero and villain, theses roles switch allowing the non stereotypical hero to save the game. The structure is non linear as it is not a clear equilibrium etc, this is in order to stretch the boundary. The boundary is stretched because of these stereotypes being broken, and the many genres within the film, the different games int he arcade.
Representation of Gender:
The film represents a stereotypical
male, from Ralph being violent in his game and become angry. But is also shows
a more feminine male because of Felix’s character, being small and fragile.
The character types in the film are not clear to begin with, to begin with Felix is the Hero, Ralph is the villain (in the Wreck it Ralph Game) and Vaneloppe is the princess (heroin). These roles then reverse, Ralph is the hero saving Felix, Vaneloppe and the game its self. Calhoun is continuously the hero in the whole film, but she is not a lead character, but is always there. She saves Felix and helps the game but not as much as Ralph, but she has a Gun to help this Ralph does not, giving her an advantage.
Representation Human or game character:
The whole film is animated, so the people characters are not 'real' people but are compared to the game characters. The children/people in the arcade playing the game I think have been added to give the film a realistic touch. Disney have given the game characters human characteristics, so the audience can make an emotional attachment, therefore enjoying the film more and perhaps buying into other features, such as the individual 'retro' games and usual merchandise.
Genre - Video Games:
This film has a hybrid is genres, including comedy, animation and action. These genres are traditional, but in contrast to these traditional genres it could also fit into perhaps another category video games, which is post modern.
Audience: Interactive or Part of the text?
The audience of Disney are form all age groups, so the film can connect with these but also because the games are 'Retro' and nostalgic it will attract people from those eras. The audience may get a feeling of nostalgia when watching the film, making them feel part of the film/text.
Representation - Simulated, world and reality:
This film is a simulation because is is based on video games, it is cartoon so cannot be reality.
Lack of belief/faith in progress or big ideas(morality - are there any 'Disney' messages at the end?, Morality or Religious values?:
As all Disney films there is a message, a 'moral' message to become a hero/good rather than being the villain/bad. But the message can also be viewed as sexiest, also like other Disney films, that to be a man you have to be strong and save the girl. The lack of belief in the characters start off deflated but towards the end they increase. There are no clear religiouse values, but their are traditions such as the race.
Theories of PM - Hyper reality, simulation:
Hyper reality and simulation re the main themes int he film, as the film is animated it is hyper real. As well as the non realistic behaviours and actions too.
Stylistic Approach:
The whole film is promoted as 'retro' the characters also even talk about this int he film. These 'retro' themes are there to sell to older consumers.
Intertexuality references (parody or pastiche):
This theme is mainly seen as a homage to Fix it Felix, so a pastiche. Also games such as Pac Man are seen in the central area/train station, which adds tot he nostalgia theme of the film . It could also e seen as a parody, as the Candy race game is a parody to Mario Cart, the game is very similar but the characters and colour schemes are different.
Bricolage:
The stylistic parts, different games, are adapted and blurred throughout the film, adding to the nostalgia theme throughout.
Self Reflexive (irony and playful):
The film is constructed well, in order to link together creating nostalgia.
Conclusion
In what ways (1-3) and to what extent does WIR qualify as Post modern (PM):
Wreck it Ralph is postmodernism, because of the Disney film being nostalgic, we can only look back. Also the film includes hyper reality and simulation, the whole film is animated so from a stylistic view it in aesthetically postmodern. But a huge part of this film being postmodern is the fact it is a hybrid, plus fits into a category which is not traditional, as well as the structure being blurred and stretched through non traditional ideologies and challenging traditional stereotypes. This film is post modern to attract all audiences of all ages, because it is stylistically post modern is looks colourful and young, but it also attracts older audiences because of the nostalgic aspect. Disney wants to gain profit by using intertextuality to their advantage.
Intertextual mood board:
These are all the interetextual references the film makes, parody and pastiche.
Nostalgia and cultural recycling - Jameson
Style over substance 'retro'
How does your familiarity with and immersion with the characters change how you read the text - how does Nostalgia makes it's meaning richer? 300 words
The characters take the audience back to a time when they were younger, they are familiar with these character in Wreck it Ralph, this nostalgia affects the way the audience see the film and enjoy it. As soon as they hear about the film, this immediately creates the nostalgic feeling, and makes them want to see it. As they watch the film this nostalgic feeling will affect the film, if the film is bad at least they are revisiting their past. The film makes the audience exciting and happy, and emotionally invested in the film, because they feel they are 'past friends' because these characters were so involved in their childhood. As the film is Disney they will already have a young audience, this young audience will hear about these characters from their parentS. Also retro games are popular now so they may know these characters. The pastiche aspect is what creates the nostalgia, their is also some parody aspect this entertains the audience, because they get the characters they will get any jokes made. The intertextual references in the film include Fix it Felix, Street Fighter 2, Tron, Halo, Pac man and Rampage. The film combine the references so they interact with each other, which the audience enjoys seeing their past come together. Because the references are different genres this makes the film a hybrid. The whole film is playful and ironic, the lighthearted film has the characters act differently to perhaps they used to making it playful, and giving the audience some contrast.
Cultural Recycling:
Jameson is the main theorist linked to this theory. The random collection of various pasts styles - erasing historical depth - Postmodern cultural recycling Example Wreck it Ralph, combining the intertexualities creating a new - parody and pastiche.
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