The Fugitive (1993) Dir. Andrew Davis

Case Study of a Thriller/Suspense Action Adventure text

Dr. Richard Kimbles (Harrison Ford) character conforms to the stereotypical representation of a wise guy (Yvonne Tasker 1998) who Do not seek the limelight, but typically find themselves pushed into dilemmas that force them to take action and how they ultimately succeed in doing the right thing (David Marc)

Todorovs 3 part narrative

The whole film does conforms to the classic Hollywood 3 part structure, as well the Closed narrative of the dilemma being resolved.

Equilibrium Normality in the narrative and amongst the characters presented on screen.

Example Kimble is a happily married Doctor, who is respected and admired by his peers and the medical community. This forces a passive viewer of both genders (Hartley) to feel the same way.

Disequilibrium Where the normality is disrupted and the character is pushed into dilemmas that force them to take action (David Marc)

Example Kimbles World is shattered by the murder of his wife, for which he is arrested for and charged with the crime. He immediately transitions from a Prince (Propp) to a villain (Propp) in the eyes of the Police force, but caregivers (Maslow) will sympathise with his injustice They will also root for him to overcome this dilemma

New equilibrium Normality is restored and the characters succeed in doing the right thing (David Marc)

IMPORTANT! In the exam this may not be obvious to identify, but YOU SHOULD comment on what the audience would expect as an eventual outcome, especially for Question 1 (10 marks), where you have to comment on the events (narrative) in the sequence.

Example Kimble will overcome this wrongful accusation, prove his innocence and (with his intelligence and physical prowess) bring the guilty to justice.

Binary Opposition (Levi Strauss)

Good v Evil -Who is Good and who is Evil in this text?

YOU SHOULD refer to Propps character roles theory where possible in your answer.

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Target Audience This would be good to know for Question 2 of the exam

Most Action-Adventure movies are certified as 12/15 in order to maximise the chances of succeeding at the box office, especially as the genre is often defined as presenting dumb movies for dumb people (Yvonne Tasker - 2004)

The stereotypical target audience for an Action-Adventure text are passive young males (Hartleys seven subjectivities) who are captivated by the high concept (Wyatt 1994) blockbuster nature of the genre, CGI/Special effects and the alpha-male hero (Propp) who saves the day and the girl.

However, contemporary action-adventure texts are appealing to women by providing a male characters who conform to the female gaze (Diana Saco), as well as alpha-females like Lara Croft who are defeating men to reflect the zeitgeist of women being seen as equal and no longer princesses (Propp)

Who is the target audience for The Fugitive and why? Refer to Hartley, Maslow, Katz and other theory where possible

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Opening Sequence Analysis:

YOU MUST analyse the opening sequence (_ minutes in length) and analyse the following micro features (technical areas)

Soundtrack (Diegetic Dialogue; Synchronous sound to action; Non-diegetic soundtrack/music; Sound bridge)

Camerawork (Shot types, camera angles, camera movement)

Editing (Fast paced jump cuts, post-production effects, 180 rule)

Mise-en-scene (Setting, characters, props, Lighting)

1) What does the non-diegetic sound effect represent to the audience what is it an enigma code (Ro _ _ nd B _ rt _ es) to what takes place in the narrative?

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2) What is the setting in binary opposition (Le_ _ St _ a _ s _) to in the opening scene? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) Dr Richard Kimble is described by the news reporter as respected What impact does this moment of disequilibrium (Todorov) have on the audience?

YOU MUST apply theory where possible.

Refer to the heavy use of flashbacks to more happier (equilibrium Todorov) moments in the narrative

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4) What codes (verbal, non-verbal) inform (K _ _ _) the audience that Kimble is the victim instead of the villain

(Pr _ _ _)?

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5) Are you suggesting I killed my wife? Diegetic dialogue

What impact does Kimbles anger towards the police officers have on the audience? Link to theory

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6) He took everything from me! Diegetic dialogue

According to Maslows hierarchy of needs, who is this verbal code (as well as the non-verbal code of Kimbles devastated facial expression) going to appeal to?

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7) You find this man! Diegetic dialogue

According to Yyvonne Tasker (19 _ _),

Kimble can be defined as the Wise Guy.

Based on this verbal code, who do you think is going to find the truth about his wifes murder and why?

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Complete a character comparison between Dr Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) and John McClane (Bruce Willis)

What similarities and differences are the audience presented with through both characters Establish 3 examples for each

Refer to key terms in your analysis and specific examples from the scenes analysed today:

Similarities

Differences

1)

2)

3)

1)

2)

3)

Who is more STEREOTYPICAL of the Action-Adventure genre and why?