Trace Film Genre Analysing The Techniques Used Essay Example

work a classic, although opinions on this vary. Unlike many older films that have been digitally re-mastered, this particular film has not undergone such restoration.

In contrast, 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' presents a distinct narrative where friendly extraterrestrial beings seek to establish a strong bond with humanity in order to create a harmonious intergalactic society. The plot revolves around an ordinary man who feels trapped in his life and is subsequently taken by these benevolent beings.

This man is driven by a vision for a historically significant place and is determined to undertake a perilous mission in order to bring his dream to fruition. The movie, created in 1977, demonstrates cutting-edge CGI technology and represents a notable advancement from its predecessor. Esteemed director Steven Spielberg directs this extraordinary Sci-Fi film, which holds a prominent position in his illustrious career.

Most people agree that the film effectively promotes the idea that global harmony is crucial for ongoing advancement. 'Independence Day' is part of a trilogy and showcases impressive special effects. The story closely resembles 'Day of the Triffids', as it portrays an aggressive alien invasion with the intention of exterminating all life on a particular planet. To achieve this objective, gigantic spaceships release destructive photon beams specifically aimed at major cities.

Once again, the global community must come together to combat this invasion, championing the determination of humanity, which is perceived as primitive in comparison to these highly intelligent beings who have developed anti-gravity machines. This film stands out from the others by incorporating humor, juxtaposed with the growing menace of mankind's extinction. Being released in 1995, this movie boasts superior and more realistic special effects compared to

its predecessors. Director Roland Emerich earned his reputation as a result of this successful film, which generated significant profits for the production studios. The films share multiple connections, some subtle and others explicit. The most remarkable link exists between 'Day of the Triffids' and 'Independence Day', both featuring hostile extraterrestrials with the sole purpose of locating and eradicating innocent Earth inhabitants. 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and 'Independence Day' similarly feature spacecraft, an element absent in 'Day of the Triffids'.

Both these space craft share some similarities, such as the presence of powerful lights. However, they serve different purposes in their respective films. In Spielberg's hit, the lights convey a musical symphony, while 'Independence Day' utilizes a powerful light to destroy cities. Nevertheless, both crafts emit a powerful deep rumble when active. The soundtrack of 'Day of the Triffids' features orchestral music during horror scenes, creating tension with the inclusion of high pitched instruments. This is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock's effective use of blade sharpening sounds in his horror scenes. The presence of a double bass playing in the background emphasizes the appearance of the Triffid creature, adding to its intimidating nature. Silent pauses are strategically used when the creatures draw close to humans, enhancing suspense. Additionally, the film incorporates city noises, a meteor shower, and the growling of a hungry plant. However, these elements somewhat diminish the overall scariness. Similar to 'Day of the Triffids,' 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' also boasts an excellent orchestral score, which is unsurprising given the director's history and utilization of music in his films.Before any extra-terrestrial activity is shown, viewers are overwhelmed by the simultaneous playing of

numerous instruments. This creates an eerie atmosphere and builds tension, similar to 'Day of the Triffids'. It leaves viewers wondering what is happening and eager to catch a glimpse of the spaceships.

When these spaceships appear, they remove all music, reminiscent of 'Day of the Triffids', and replace it with silence. This silence stirs tension in the viewers' minds and adds to their anxiety as they await the arrival of these space vehicles. These spaceships emit deep, rich bass sounds, creating a powerful and imposing presence. Additionally, the spacecraft play a simple melody that serves as a form of communication. This melody easily becomes stuck in one's head and continues to replay. Some may find it incredibly annoying, while children may love it, but both reactions can compel one to rewatch the film. Moreover, the film incorporates pseudo sound effects like the whooshing of space vehicles, which is a small advancement from the previous film but has a distinct effect compared to the sound of cracking branches.

'Independence Day' takes a different approach to its music score. Firstly, it dedicates more sound effects to space vehicles and other aircraft rather than music itself. The film features deep rumbling sounds whenever a spacecraft is nearby. It also includes other sound effects like laser fire and the whooshing of smaller aircraft. Music is only present in certain scenes, particularly those where humanity triumphs against the aliens or when all hope seems lost.

Both 'Day of the Triffids' and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' showcase patriotic music reminiscent of the American national anthem, emphasizing dedication to Earth and the belief in humanity's ultimate triumph. Although their filming styles differ in

technique, they share a common concept. In 'Day of the Triffids', characters are consistently filmed from a medium shot angle, which may be perceived as somewhat monotonous, but the camera moves to different locations around the world to observe unfolding events. Conversely, 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' takes a slightly more playful approach with panoramic views that emphasize both space's vastness and various earthly locations. Like 'Day of the Triffids', this film also captures different places globally primarily to depict sub-stories connecting with the main narrative.

'Independence Day' features diverse camerawork that mainly focuses on the central characters. The camera often moves more than the characters themselves, creating a sense of tension and capturing the quick thinking and actions required to advance in the plot. The film extensively utilizes panoramic shots to emphasize the grandeur of various elements such as space and spaceships.

'Independence Day' and 'Day of the Triffids' both showcase global action unfolding simultaneously, much like how 'Day of the Triffids' does it. This demonstrates that certain methods can remain impactful over time; it is only the presentation that matters. Visual special effects take center stage in all of these films, with 'Day of the Triffids' featuring basic, rubbery-looking plastic figures that appear fake by today's standards but possibly terrified audiences when the movie was released. 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' introduced CGI, a widely-used technique in modern filmmaking due to its ability to create incredible effects that would be impossible or too challenging to achieve physically. In this film, early attempts at using CGI for spaceships yielded impressive results, especially considering the time it was made.

When this film was released, audiences were

likely astonished by the special effects, particularly the flying objects. 'Independence Day' pushes the boundaries of CGI, creating scenes that appear almost lifelike. The use of computer-generated imagery to create immense spaceships and smaller flying crafts is impressive without appearing excessive, unlike other movies. The acting in all three films varies greatly. In 'Day of the Triffids', the performances are quite bland, as if the actors were cardboard cut-outs. The female characters, who were supposedly lab rats in some cases, come across more like runway models, while the men have the typical V-shaped torso and square jawline, making them seem less realistic.

'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' shows improvement in a significant proportion, but it gives the impression that all the characters are socially detached, like outcasts who would never belong with anyone else. However, this is acceptable because it implies that these peculiar individuals were chosen for this extraordinary occurrence. 'Independence Day' possesses some of the most realistic characters with diverse backgrounds. The characters come from various ethnicities and have different physical appearances, showcasing a wide range of beauty and attractiveness.

The behavior and attitude of these individuals resembles what one observes locally, allowing for a connection with the stars and a certain level of empathy. Apart from these films, there is a series of movies that has been evolving over the past few decades and has become a global sensation – the Star Wars Saga. In this saga, one can witness the advancements made in the science fiction genre. From the first film produced in the 1970s, the special effects have progressed significantly. While some elements remain true to the original to maintain authenticity,

such as the original sound score, it demonstrates that tradition can still be profitable, and success in the science fiction genre does not necessarily require constant development.

But on the other hand, a great film ultimately relies on enchanting special effects and a well-crafted plot. Not every director possesses the ability to achieve this combination, where the acting feels genuine, the special effects are not excessive and, if they are, they must be top-notch. The music should not be as piercing as the screams of terrified women in a dreadful situation. Last but not least, a storyline that never grows tiresome. In general, I believe that the changes encountered by the science fiction film genre have mostly been positive. Without the advancements in technology, we would not witness the astonishing special effects we enjoy today. If film studios hadn't realized that portraying characters as emotionless as fish sticks appears unrealistic, we might never have witnessed the exceptional acting present in dramatic films today (excluding the Sci-Fi genre).

Among all the films I watched, "Independence Day" stood out as my favorite. The film's comedic moments provided a refreshing touch that differentiated it from the rest. Unlike other movies where flying saucers lack purpose, "Independence Day" offered humor alongside its extraterrestrial theme. Moreover, the genuine performances of the actors made it easier for me to connect with their characters. Additionally, the well-structured and consistently intriguing plot added to its appeal.

In contrast, "Day of the Triffids" failed to capture my interest as it lacked any elements that appealed to me. It was simply too bland and couldn't hold my attention in any way.

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" falls somewhere

in between these two extremes. Although it does have positive aspects, its slow pace becomes a hindrance. Considering today's viewers prioritize action and realism, if this film were faster-paced and more realistic, it could have been much more interesting.

The future of Sci-Fi is currently uncertain and distinct from other film genres, remaining a mystery as no one knows what will happen.