ST - PRODUCT ANALYSIS

Kickass
(2010, Vaughn)



The film has a really good opening (all parts of the trailer until 1 minute are taken from the opening 2 minutes). It shows the really good dark humour used throughout the film. As well as being a great concept for a film.

GENRE

• Kickass is an Action Thriller, Adventure, Comedy.
  
  The opening is looking for the audience's expectations by using the narrative of the main charatcer and protaganist, however this is twisted for humourous effect, by killing off the audience's assumed voice of the narrative (see video). It is done ironically because usually the audience the superhero will fly away and fight crime, which is a stereotype of superheros or similar characters. The film eventually conforms to the to the characteristics of the genre in later characters, although in a more playful and ironic way.

FILM LANGUAGE
Mise-en-scene is relative throughout the film since it is a quickly defines characters for the audience to . I.e. vigilante or criminal. Also it is set in a urban area, which would imply a heightened level of crime in the area, and therefore a need for vigilantes. It is also used to show the normal teen in the normal setting, for example being in highschool and in a shop with his friends. This shows the juxtapositious types of life and how they wouldn't mix together.
The camera throughout the opening is using similar shots as other superhero film. the camera pans down onto the hero showing the character and the urban setting. as well as this there are close-up reaction shots of the crowd at the base of the building, throughtout his first sighting, his "flight" and the crash. This reinforces the narration during the scene that there was a need for heros, but this is placed in reality. Sound anchors the clip by using iconic supernatural music, in a major key, it then instantly cuts out after crash, reinforcing the fact that the film is set in reality.
NARRATIVE
The narrative folloes the assumed hero of the film, this is narrated by the actual protaganist, who is introduced after the ironically funny death of the "hero". The audience is positioned with the first hero through the use of iconic camera shot associated with the genre, as well as this mise-en-scene, editing and sound are used to give the character the appearance of a superhero. Tension is created quickly by having the hero standing on the building and eventually jumping off. After the crash the tension is lifted quickly after the inital shock, there is then little tension in the opening because it is conveying a normal teenager in school.
REPRESENTATION & IDEOLOGY
During the opening the most represented group is of male teenagers, with a sub category of socially awkward. As well this the general public is represented briefly and also the urban vigilante. The vigilante is represented as mentally unstable, and is quoted as "a history a mental problems", this represents a genreal belief that fans of fictional comics are over-the-top and slightly discoursed from reality. This representation is also proven by the use of semiotics such as; th costume of the "hero" and also the teenagers sitting in the coffee shop reading comics. This creates the framework in the film of the contrast between the world of superhero and a normal life.
MEDIA AUDIENCES
The target audience for the film is a mix between young adults, mostly male, and fans of the original book, which would also be young males. The audeinces reading of the text would be that a teenager is fixated by a piece of non-fiction, which he believes if implamented into his life then his mundane life will become better. As well as this later on in the film as more characters are introduced it is also about revenge and upholding a genreal morality against crime. As a young British teen the film is aimed at my demographic and therefore,more relatable, so if a member outside of the demographic watches the film then it may not be as easy to relate to the film and the numerous references it gives to the superhero genre.

Institution Context

• The film is based on a graphic novel by Mark Millar, it had a fan base before the film and the book is widely recieved as an excellent piece of work.
• The actors used in the film are reletively unknown, except Nicholas Cage playing Big Daddy, this gives the film a rather authentic feel compared to other superhero films, where well known actors are used.
• The film was produced by Marv Films and Plan B entertainment. It was distributed by Universal Pictures and Lionsgate
• The film was advertised at conventions in the USA such as Comic-Con. It also advertised on prime time TV, particulary during sporting events.
• During the opening there are institutuional context such as making references to other well known superheroes such as spiderman and supoerman.