Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Dawn of the Dead (2004) third image analysis


In this last shot, Monica (Kim Poirier) is brutally – but accidentally - murdered by Glen (R.D Reid) by accident. As a quick montage illustrates the fast paced get away, the vehicle in which they’re standing in swerves whilst Glen handles a chainsaw.

Monica is the female victim, being stereotypically blonde, pretty, elegant and sexually active. The generic theme of sex and the taboo is incorporated into this scene due to Monica and Steve (Ty Burrell) having sexual intercourse shortly before her dying. This is a typical convention of horror films.


Although censorship has relaxed a lot more and horror films in general have adapted to modern audiences who almost expect body horror, the action is a lot quicker and is less drawn out (unlike the zombie attack in Dawn of the Dead (1978), making it easier for audiences to watch. Being an action horror, this genre focuses more on the quick montages, quick moving monsters, collision shots, themes of fear of death and much more on cinematography. Thomas Schatz’s genre theory explains how the best way to analyse films are through genre. Genres enable clear expectations to understand a film and help filmmakers to know what is required to appeal to their target audience. The fast montage in this scene makes the film conventional of its sub-genre and this was illustrated by the high financial success of the film in 2004. 

No comments:

Post a Comment