Comparison of Genre Elements in a Films The Grudge and Trailer - Movie Review Example

Written Film Critique Name Institution Lecturer Date Written Film Critique Introduction A primary genre in a film involves the methodology that is mainly based on similarities within the narrative through which a particular film is constructed. In this case most genres in a film are constructed from the literary criticism. This further comprises of distinction between fiction and documentary aspects of the film. Film genres involve both the plot of the film and how the structure of the film is characterized. Some films are classified as either horror or romantic as a result of the plot and the structure that is engaged in the film. The structures of the film further involve the use of various stylistic devices in the creation of the film together with the plot. Therefore in the assessment essay a critique in relation to the film ‘The grudge’ will be evaluated in comparison of the genre elements in a film trailer and the narrative film the trailer refers to will be evaluated (Langford, 2005). Critique of the Films The film ‘trailer’ has its setting in the modern day United States of America. The main target audience of the film involves teenagers and adults who are mainly attracted to the idea of sense of belonging and identity. The film utilizes various stylistic devices such as sound. In this case sound is utilized for the purpose of bringing out various emotions to the audience. As the movie progresses there is the use of an increased tempo of music that enables the audience to have a feeling of connectedness with the character. In addition there is the use of pause with no audio to imply the turning point of the character and also for the purposes of heightening audience anticipation. In most cases a sound is mostly underrated by the audience. However, in the trailer the use of sound is considered as important and an influential tool in selling points. Furthermore the use of a sound is significant in the sense that it can either make or break a trailer. The language used by the characters is also important due to the fact that it offers a form of appealing to the audience. The trailer uses a particular language that appeals to younger audiences (Callison et.al. 2011). In terms of the genre of the trailer movie it is considered as difficult to classify where the movie belongs. This is due to the fact that the film can be classified as either comedy, teen drama or a romantic film. The film does not involve any scenes of horror or engage in the use of horrific sounds or other stylistic devices. According to Grant (2007) the film has a unique selling point that involves the approach of involving the realistic life of a teenager that is considered as unaccepted. In this regard the teenager engages in finding out his real identity. Despite the importance of the use of sound in the film the sound effects was not utilized effectively. In addition, there was no use of music or any other type of sound effects apart from increasing and decreasing the sound tempo that was mainly applied in the trailer film. This is not enough as it constraints the film and audience from differentiating various emotions that is created through the use of sound system (Grant, 2007). Visual influence is another element of the primary genre that is evidently used in the trailer film. Generally most of the shots in the clips involve an outside person in a state of observing the life of the main characters. Visual influence therefore enables the audience to follow along with the plot of the film and understand fully the life of the main characters as being portrayed in the film for the audiences. However, the main disadvantage of the use of visual influence involves the fact that some audiences may not be in a position to comprehend and follow the happening in the movie. Hence visual influence is not an effective feature to be engaged by the film for the audiences to follow the story line (Thomas, 1966). “The Grudge” is considered as a standard but at the same time a scary film. It is a 2004 American supernatural horror film that describes a curse that is generated in death and causes extreme sorrow. Its primary genre focuses on the provision of scary episodes and the maintenance of suspense in the part of the film. The plot of the film involves a non-linear structure as it engages in the presentation of various characters within different forms of timelines. The setting of the film comprises the remaking of the Japanese film industry. The primary genre of the film that is used involves the use of sound so as to create suspense among the audience. The film engages in an effective way of creating suspense through the use of sound. For instance the film engages the creak of doors, the howl of a cat and music to create noise or sounds that generate a mood of anticipation and horror among the audience. The use of the element of a haunted house in the film is also another aspect of generation of abundance of horror in the film. The voices of the characters are also another important feature of the film. For instance Charlie the main character has a soothing voice that generally implies that he is a comforting type of character. The language used in the clip can also be considered as humorous since there is the incorporation of humor phrases among the characters (Callison et.al. 2007). Hixson (2005) argues that as a result of the film using the primary genre of horror the film engages in the use of slow pace with the deliberation of creating a device to sustain tension within the plot of the film. Furthermore, the film setting is in Japan. The main reason of the setting of the film being in Japan involves the fact that within the Japanese cultural orientation there is a belief that when an individual dies in extreme distress, the manner of the particular death is passed on in the house of the individual. Hence the film employs the use of mystery in its plot the film creates a feeling of tension and suspense among the audience. For instance the involvement of shadowy images and the use of a black demonic cat are all factors that engage in the creation of horror and mystery among the audience (Hixson, 2005). The film strives in the creation of mystery in its plot is considered as being uneven. The creation of mystery in the primary genre further leads to the lack of momentum in the story line. This is attributed to the fact that there is lack of enough efforts in creation of characters that are worth caring about. Another aspect of the film that is considered as a result of poor use of the primary genre involves the fact that the film engages in deliberately unresolving issues for the purposes of creating mystery and suspense. In a film plot or primary genre it is important for issues to be resolved and the generation of a satisfying conclusion. Hence it does not mean that the use of suspense or generation of mystery in the film implies the lack of consistency and conclusion of various issues in the film (Langford, 2005). In relation to the setting of the film there is a general weakness in the general belief of the setting. The film is set in Japan whereby there is a belief system that revolutionizes the entire film. The belief system in relation to death and sorrow is not shared in another place of the world apart from Japan. Therefore the film is significant in the context of Japanese audience and belief system as compared to other parts of the world that involves the audience. Hence there is a weakness in the general setting of the film that involves the belief system that is prominent in Japan. Despite the fact that the film is categorized as a horror genre film enough is not done to bring out the horrific aspects of the entire film. For instance in order to create horror the film utilizes such aspects such as hands popping form dark corners and grabbing someone for the creation of a horrific atmosphere. Although it may seem horrific it manages the audience to ignore the kind of shock or fear that is created through the use of such scenes as hands popping form the dark and grabbing in individuals (Grudge, 2004). Conclusion In conclusion, the critique of the films provides an important insight on the various primary genres and its utilization in the film work. The plot and setting of the film plays an important role in the preview and advertising of the film that will appeal to the target audience. ‘The trailer and ‘The grudge’ are important examples of the critique of the use of various primary genres within the film work and its desired effects to the audience. References Langford, Barry (2005). Film Genre: Hollywood and Beyond. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 0748619038. Grant, Barry K. (2007).Film Genre: From Iconography to Ideology. Wallflower Press. Hixson, T. (2005). Mission Possible: Targeting Trailers to Movie Audiences. Journal of Targeting, Measurement and Analysis for Marketing, 14(3), 210-224. Callison, C., Chambers, T., & Devlin M. (2011). Targeting Mood: Using Comedy or Serious Movie Trailers. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media,55(4), 581-595. Thomas, K.(1966). Movie Trailers Have Long Run. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Times. The Grudge (2004). dir. Takashi Shimizu — US Version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9w_xK2CIUU Read More

In terms of the genre of the trailer movie it is considered as difficult to classify where the movie belongs. This is due to the fact that the film can be classified as either comedy, teen drama or a romantic film. The film does not involve any scenes of horror or engage in the use of horrific sounds or other stylistic devices. According to Grant (2007) the film has a unique selling point that involves the approach of involving the realistic life of a teenager that is considered as unaccepted.

In this regard the teenager engages in finding out his real identity. Despite the importance of the use of sound in the film the sound effects was not utilized effectively. In addition, there was no use of music or any other type of sound effects apart from increasing and decreasing the sound tempo that was mainly applied in the trailer film. This is not enough as it constraints the film and audience from differentiating various emotions that is created through the use of sound system (Grant, 2007).

Visual influence is another element of the primary genre that is evidently used in the trailer film. Generally most of the shots in the clips involve an outside person in a state of observing the life of the main characters. Visual influence therefore enables the audience to follow along with the plot of the film and understand fully the life of the main characters as being portrayed in the film for the audiences. However, the main disadvantage of the use of visual influence involves the fact that some audiences may not be in a position to comprehend and follow the happening in the movie.

Hence visual influence is not an effective feature to be engaged by the film for the audiences to follow the story line (Thomas, 1966). “The Grudge” is considered as a standard but at the same time a scary film. It is a 2004 American supernatural horror film that describes a curse that is generated in death and causes extreme sorrow. Its primary genre focuses on the provision of scary episodes and the maintenance of suspense in the part of the film. The plot of the film involves a non-linear structure as it engages in the presentation of various characters within different forms of timelines.

The setting of the film comprises the remaking of the Japanese film industry. The primary genre of the film that is used involves the use of sound so as to create suspense among the audience. The film engages in an effective way of creating suspense through the use of sound. For instance the film engages the creak of doors, the howl of a cat and music to create noise or sounds that generate a mood of anticipation and horror among the audience. The use of the element of a haunted house in the film is also another aspect of generation of abundance of horror in the film.

The voices of the characters are also another important feature of the film. For instance Charlie the main character has a soothing voice that generally implies that he is a comforting type of character. The language used in the clip can also be considered as humorous since there is the incorporation of humor phrases among the characters (Callison et.al. 2007). Hixson (2005) argues that as a result of the film using the primary genre of horror the film engages in the use of slow pace with the deliberation of creating a device to sustain tension within the plot of the film.

Furthermore, the film setting is in Japan. The main reason of the setting of the film being in Japan involves the fact that within the Japanese cultural orientation there is a belief that when an individual dies in extreme distress, the manner of the particular death is passed on in the house of the individual. Hence the film employs the use of mystery in its plot the film creates a feeling of tension and suspense among the audience. For instance the involvement of shadowy images and the use of a black demonic cat are all factors that engage in the creation of horror and mystery among the audience (Hixson, 2005).

The film strives in the creation of mystery in its plot is considered as being uneven.

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