Genres is a form of classifying films or grouping of films and film type. According to Rick Altman, we can classify genres by using semantics and syntactic approaches as they could help in identifying a particular film. Semantics approach are based on visuals of the film, such as the mise-en-scene. Based on mise-en-scene, it can help in telling what sort of genre it is. For example, if the setting is taken place in a dark and empty house it may be a horror genre. Syntactic approach on the other hand is based on themes. For example, if the theme is romance, then the story will revolve around romance.
Paranorman tells a story about a boy, Norman Babcock who has an ability to speak to the dead. He prefers to be with the dead than to be accompanied by the living. One day, Norman receives a message from his uncle Prenderghast that a century old witch's curse on their town is real and is about to come true. and Norman is the only one who could stop it. When the zombies rise from their graves, Norman must summon all his courage and compassion and push his abilities to the limit to save his town.
The genres used in the film are Comedy, Horror, Action and Melodrama. Comedy is a genre that focuses on making the audience laugh, the main purpose of it is to entertain or amuse the audience with funny actions, characters, situations or behavior. There are many type of comedy, for example, slapstick, screwball, dark comedy and parody. In Paranorman, the comedy used is Screwball as it shows the main character "Norman" going through a unhappy life as he is always being bullied by others and being treated weirdly as he has an ability in seeing and talking to the dead. All the conflicts ended when he the witches curse brought the zombies to life and Norman is able to prove that he is not crazy, in fact showing that his ability is a gift by resolving the curse of the witch.
Besides that, Horror genre is also used in the film. Horror genre is one of the oldest genre from Hollywood, it focuses on scaring the audience and to cause panic as it aims to invoke our hidden worst fears while captivating and entertaining us at the same time with a cathartic experience. Horror has a few sub genres, which are Unnatural, Psychological, Massacre or Slasher Flicks. In Paranorman, unnatural horror film is used as the main theme is about Zombies, Witchcraft and Ghosts. This could be seen since the starting as Norman is able to see ghosts and communicate with them. Later on the story, Norman could be seen trying to solve a witch's curse of raising the dead, which are zombies.
Action genre is about showing the main protagonist going through a series of challenges that involve violence, close combats, physical feats or frantic pursuits, it also means showing the main character facing challenges and struggling incredible odds that include life threatening situations which in the end, the main character will become the hero. Action genre is used in the film as it shows Norman struggling through life as a challenge, as he has an special ability which makes people think he is crazy. He later has to face his fears of zombies as he is continuously being chased by the zombies of the witch's curse, and has to face the witch himself as he has to fight of his life and bring an end to the witch's suffering.
Melodrama is a genre that brings a sensational and dramatic story that excites and appeal to the emotions of the audience. Melodrama is used in the movie as it keeps using dramatic scenes that excites and keeps the audience entertained. Melodrama is used in scenes like where Norman is trying to battle the witch as he is constantly being thrown and pushed around, he is also seen getting up with determination as he jumps towards the witch to try to talk sense into her.
In conclusion, genres plays a vital role in making a movie interesting. As Rick Altman approach is true and important as the Syntactic and Semantic approach must go hand in hand to make all the film spectacular.
Action genre is about showing the main protagonist going through a series of challenges that involve violence, close combats, physical feats or frantic pursuits, it also means showing the main character facing challenges and struggling incredible odds that include life threatening situations which in the end, the main character will become the hero. Action genre is used in the film as it shows Norman struggling through life as a challenge, as he has an special ability which makes people think he is crazy. He later has to face his fears of zombies as he is continuously being chased by the zombies of the witch's curse, and has to face the witch himself as he has to fight of his life and bring an end to the witch's suffering.
In conclusion, genres plays a vital role in making a movie interesting. As Rick Altman approach is true and important as the Syntactic and Semantic approach must go hand in hand to make all the film spectacular.
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