Researching a decay (1990's movies) - Essay Example

Researching a decade (1990s movies) The popular culture during 1990s underwent tremendous change because political propaganda become out of focus. Within this context, the movies during 1990s reflected the transformation from fantastic unrealism to hyperrealism. To be specific, the films within the popular culture began to symbolize the dilemmatic condition of human beings entrapped between virtual and real worlds. Thesis statement: The movies within popular culture during 1990s represent hyperrealism and its characteristics like intervention (between virtual and real worlds), identity (dilemma faced by individuals/heroes), and space and time (virtual and real).

Popular culture during 1990s As pointed out, the popular culture during 1990s was entirely different from the past decade because the unexpected end of Cold War, the collapse of Soviet Union and the collapse of Berlin wall deeply influence the political/cultural scenario of the world. To be specific, the wartime sentiment and nationalistic mood transformed into cultural amalgamation and acceptance. But Chris states that “The accelerating integration of information and entertainment media meant that movies and television shows had become news themselves” (139).

The popular culture reflects the aspirations and feelings of the mass and acts as a safety valve which reflects the cultural characteristics of a society. Within this context, the popular culture during 1990s set itself free from political stance and transformed into multiculturalism. In short, popular culture during 1990s reflected the change in international politics and reflected the same within culture. The characteristics of movies during 1990s The most important characteristic of movies during 1990s was hyperrealism.

Within this context, the main characteristics of hyperrealism can be broadly classified into three: intervention, identity, and space and time. Hyperrealism in 1990s: Hyperrealism in 1990s can be simply defined as the dilemma which leads to virtual real illusion. To be specific, the films in 1990s are interconnected with hyperrealism. Martin opines that “The use of terms such as ‘simulation’, virtual reality’ and ‘hyperrealism’ in the criticism of news media is often confused and imprecise” (141).

The individual (say, the hero) who is able to experience hyperrealism can act the role of a channel between virtual and real worlds. This is the most important characteristic of hyperrealism, which influenced the scenario of cinema in 1990s. The other characteristics of hyperrealism in 1990s include: A. Intervention (between virtual and real worlds) Within this context, the film The Matrix (1999) is one of the best examples of hyperrealism during 1990s. For instance, Neo (Thomas A. Anderson), the hero of the film is able to experience the difference between the virtual and the real worlds.

Besides, the hero (symbolic of the superman/superhuman concept) is able to save the human race from its ultimate doom. On the other side, the individuals who are unable to sense the difference between fantasy and reality are destined to be mere slaves. B. Identity (dilemma faced by individuals/heroes) Identity crisis faced by the protagonist (whether a human being or a machine) is one of the characteristics of hyperrealism/ movies during 1990s. For instance, in the film Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), the protagonist (The Terminator, a machine) faces the problem of identity crisis.

One can easily identify that the dilemma faced by the machine is not so different from the human characters in the film. C. Space and time (virtual and real) The denial of space and time is one of the characteristics of hyperrealism/ movies during 1990s. For instance, the film Jurassic Park (1993), denies the concept of real space and time. The visuals of a Jurassic world in the film force the viewers to experience a virtual world. At the same time, the viewers are aware of the fact that dinosaurs cannot be recreated.

In short, of space and time and creating a fantasy/virtual world is one of the characteristics of movies during 1990s. Summing, unexpected twists in international politics transformed the scenario of popular culture in 1990s. In addition, this change deeply influenced the scenario of cinema in 1990s. Hyperrealism, the most important characteristic of cinema in 1990s was totally different from fantastic unrealism in 1980s. To be specific, hyperrealism deeply influenced and transformed the 1990s and the following decades.

ReferencesHolmlund, Chris. American cinema of the 1990s: themes and variations. N.p.: Rutgers University Press, 2008. Print. Lister, Martin. New media: a critical introduction. New York: Routledge, 2003. Print.