Analysis of Film's use of codes and conventions

The clip I'm analysing comes from the 'Spider-man' trilogies - coming from the first Spider man film to be exact. Spider man fits into the genre of Action Adventure, so whilst I will be analysing the clip I will also looking for typical convections that fits into the genre.

The clip is set in New York City on what appears to be a public ceremony, long shots have been included which is specifically used to set the scene and for the audience to acknowledge the setting.

Seconds after the clip starts, you see the villain antagonist (The Green Goblin) make his entry by flying and emerging above the crowd. A low angle shot is specifically included in the Green Goblin's entrance, this is because a low angle shot would perceive the villain as 'strong' and 'powerful' as in the camera angle you would be looking up to him, also he is flying above all the citizens, which would link up to the fact he is being perceived as powerful even more as he is above everyone. This also links up the genre because villain antagonists tend to have a physical advantage over 'normal citizens', however, the hero protagonists have an even bigger advantage over the villain antagonists, which you will see as I look further into the clip. To add on to that, the Green Goblin also appears to be standing on object which is what makes him capable to fly, this is also an action adventure convection as the villain protagonist needs assistance or 'help' for them to gain power or control/attention (usually being a minion but in this case an object which is where he is gaining the power to fly). The object which the Goblin is hovering on also appears to leave a dark grey smoke trailing behind it, which indicates even more that he is the villain antagonist and links up to genre as dark colours (mostly being black) have negatives connotations that come along with them such as black has connotations of evil, darkness and even death.

There are some diegetic sounds in this clip, for example when the goblin enters stereotypical 'superhero' music occurs and also non-diegetic sounds, such as the crowd of people clapping when they see the Green Goblin hover above them – clearly in amazement/awe, oblivious to the fact this unknown creature is not of in-fact good nature. Spider-man is the only one at this point who is not clapping, he is looking very cautious and unsure, which links up to the genre as the hero antagonist is usually very aware of their surroundings.

The clip takes a slight dark turn after this (the 'disruption' of the clip) and it starts to become evident that the unknown creature (being the Green Goblin) is actually a villain antagonist, he plants a bomb within the building, which links to the genre as that causes an explosion (with the evident sound effect of an explosion occurring afterwards). There is also special effect being a zoom on Mary Jane (Spidermans love interest) of her gasping. Mary Jane in this clip is represented as the stereotypical female – particular within this genre – and also goes against the stereotype at some parts. Within her costume, I can denote that she is wearing a red dress, the colour red has connotations of sex & lust, which links to the genre as women tend to be viewed as promiscuous and sinful even. To add on to that, red also connotes blood and death, which possibly signifies the 'victim' side of her (as she is the main victim of Green Goblin), also linking to the genre as females are also perceived as helpless and in need of 'rescuing' (this is seen when she is screaming to spider-man 'help, help me please'), which is followed up by her constant screaming and shrieking, representing her as the stereotypical female. Despite this, the dress she is wearing covers her entire body, showing practically no skin at all, which infact goes against the stereotype and 'bends the rules' as although the colour may show off or represent sexuality, the way it is worn is in fact not sexual at all, thus, defeating the stereotype.

The film shows elements of explosions and destruction (all linking to genre), however, even throughout this, Spider-man does not seem to be in fear or infact even worry about the current chaos going on, infact just observing and using his powers to save people, this showing he is a stereotypical hero as he is brave and a rescue is included. The fact that Peter (who is Spider man out of costume) is a white male also plays a big part in him being the stereotypical hero protagonist as when it comes to heroes in action adventure films, they tend to be played by Caucasians, whilst the antagonists or the 'side-kick' is played by minorities.

By this point, Mary Jane is stuck on a broken piece of building and the appearance of the Green Goblin is revealed, he is evidently a green alien type creature, this links up heavily to the genre as the villain antagonist in almost all cases is less physically attractive compared to the hero protagonist.

To add on to that, during the street fight, the villain antagonist needs props to defeat spider-man and gain power over people, proving his lack of physical strength as the hero protagonist does not require any of these things to prove his power, an example of this is the fact that not once did the Green Goblin fight without his hover-board which seemed to provide all his superpowers and weapons, whilst Spider-man used his physical strength to fight off the Green Goblin.

The clip eventually concludes in Spider-man doing what appears to be defeating the Green Goblin and taking Mary Jane to safety. At this point there seems to be a possible hint of a romantic connection between Mary Jane and Spider-man which also links to the genre as the hero protagonist tends to have a love intrest.