Sunday, December 10, 2023

Pastiche/Parody

Pastiche/Parody


Johnny English Strikes Again (2018)

Johnny English Strikes Again is a parody film because it satirizes and exaggerates the conventions and clichés commonly found in the spy thriller genre, particularly James Bond films. The movie stars Rowan Atkinson as the titular character, Johnny English, a bumbling and incompetent British secret agent.

Comic tone: The film adopts a humorous and comedic tone throughout, using slapstick comedy, visual gags, and witty dialogue to entertain the audience. This is in stark contrast to the more serious and dramatic tone often associated with traditional spy thrillers

Exaggeration of spy tropes: The character of Johnny English is a parody in himself, as he embodies many of the classic spy stereotypes but in an exaggerated and comical manner. From his outdated gadgets to his lack of suave charm, Johnny English is a comedic take on the suave and sophisticated spy archetype.

Ridiculous plot factors: often includes absurd scenarios that parody the formulaic nature of spy films - outlandish villains, improbable gadgets, and exaggerated action sequences.

Mocking spy genre conventions: pokes fun at the conventions of the spy genre, such as the glamorous lifestyle of secret agents, high-tech gadgets, and the portrayal of international espionage. It subverts these expectations for comedic effect.

Incompetent protagonist: unlike the typical skilled and charismatic spy protagonist, Johnny English is portrayed as a well-meaning but hopelessly incompetent agent. His blunders and lack of awareness contribute to the comedic elements of the film.


Deadpool (2018)

While Deadpool 2 is not a conventional parody film, it does have some humorous and satirical moments. The movie is mostly a superhero picture, based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool, who is renowned for being humorous and irreverent. Deadpool 2 maintains the meta-humor and self-awareness that defined the first Deadpool movie.

Ryan Reynolds's character Deadpool regularly breaches the fourth wall by talking directly to the audience and offering meta-comments on both the superhero subgenre and the film industry as a whole. The film has a sarcastic and parodic aspect due to this self-awareness as well as amusing references to other superhero movies, cliches, and popular culture.

While Deadpool 2 is not a parody in the traditional sense, as it doesn't specifically imitate another film or genre, it does parody and satirise various elements within the superhero genre and the broader entertainment industry. The film uses humor to subvert expectations and play with the conventions of superhero storytelling.


Parody Duyên Mình Lỡ (2018)
Huynh Lap is a comedic artist in Vietnam who is known for his parody music videos.
Duyen Minh Lo is initially a song by Huong Tram, and it has its own distinctive music video, released in the same year.

Southern Vietnam is known for its slapstick humor which emphasizes the comedy through appearance and actions rather than humor relating to the content or the issues being talked about.

This parody music video uses the same style of humor and comedy. Nothing is changed in the plot or narrative, however many actions were exaggerated or made funny-looking to pull laughters from the audience.


Once Upon a Time In Hollywood (2019)

The Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is sometimes referred to as a pastiche since it combines parts of several genres, styles, and cultural allusions to provide an original and nostalgic cinematic experience.

The use of period-specific details, costumes, music, and cinematography contributes to the pastiche quality, transporting the audience back to the Hollywood of the late '60s. By blending different influences and styles, Tarantino creates a nostalgic and stylized portrayal of the era, making Once Upon a Time in Hollywood a pastiche of both cinematic history and real-world events.

Cinematic influences: Quentin Tarantino is known for being heavily influenced by various film genres and styles. In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he pays homage to the spaghetti western genre, showcasing it through Rick Dalton's (Leonardo DiCaprio) involvement in a spaghetti western film. The film also draws on the influence of classic Hollywood and the golden age of cinema.

Mixing fiction with reality: The film blends fictional characters, such as Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), with real historical figures like Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and Charles Manson. This blending of fiction and reality is a characteristic feature of pastiche, creating a unique narrative that references and reinterprets historical events.

Cultural references: filled with cultural references from the late 1960s, including music, fashion, and pop culture. These references contribute to the pastiche by creating an immersive experience that captures the essence of the time period.
Recreation of Hollywood Landscape: The film goes to great lengths to recreate the Hollywood of the late '60s, including the use of vintage cars, signage, and set design. This attention to detail adds to the pastiche quality by transporting the audience to a specific moment in cinematic and cultural history.

Mood and atmosphere: Tarantino infuses the film with a nostalgic mood, using a combination of cinematography, soundtrack, and dialogue to evoke the spirit of classic Hollywood. This carefully crafted atmosphere contributes to the overall pastiche feel of the movie.


Spider-Man Into The Spider Verse (2018)

Diverse animations: features a diverse range of animation styles. Each Spider-Person from different dimensions is animated in a way that reflects their respective comic book origins. This variety of styles pays homage to the different artistic approaches used in various Spider-Man comic books over the years.

Comic book aesthetics: The film captures the essence of comic book storytelling, with visual elements such as onomatopoeic text, panel transitions, and thought bubbles integrated into the animation. It embraces the conventions of comic book art while translating them into a dynamic animated format.

Multiverse concept: The film's narrative revolves around the concept of a multiverse, where different Spider-People from alternate dimensions converge. This allows the filmmakers to explore various versions of the Spider-Man character, including different genders, races, and even an animated pig version (Spider-Ham). The multiverse concept is a creative way to bring together diverse interpretations of the iconic superhero.

Soundtrack and cultural references: The film's soundtrack features a mix of contemporary and classic music, contributing to its overall pastiche quality. Additionally, the movie is filled with cultural references and Easter eggs, celebrating Spider-Man's rich history in comics, television, and film.

Homage to Spider-Man legacy: pays homage to the entire legacy of Spider-Man, incorporating elements from various comic book storylines and adaptations. It embraces the character's history while offering a fresh and inventive take on the superhero genre.

Evaluation Questions - Critical Reflection

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