The hills have eyes- Textual analysis
Film titile: The hills have eyes
Date released: 10th march 2006
Director: Alexandre Aja
Sub-genre: Thriller
Part One: Narrative structure:
The hills have eyes follows the ‘Todorov equilibrium model’
(equilibrium, disruption, new equilibrium) a state of normality at the start of
the film (equilibrium); group of men dressed in a sci-fi inspectors clothing
searching the deserted island with inspector gadgets. At the start of the film there is a
disequilibrium at this point the equilibrium is disrupted by an unfortunate
event that would then lead to a chain of events involving
conflict. (Disruption) the men attacked by something unseen.
The Carters are an American family travelling through the great
American southwest. But their trip takes a detour into an area closed off from the
public. An area originally used by the U.S. Government for nuclear testing that
was intended to be empty When the Carter's car breaks down at the old site,
they're stranded. As the carters realise that the car breaking down might be a
trip which will cost them their lives. Near to the end there is a new
equilibrium, involving the evil forces being defeated, the conflict being
resolved and harmony existing once more however the harmony is not the same
like it was at the start of the film; the baby is saved by father (Doug), Doug,
Bobbie, the baby & Brenda are the characters that survive in the end.
Part two: Genre Codes & conventions:
Characters:
 |
| Brenda Carter |
 |
| Christine Brown |
The mum (Ethel Carter) is concerned about the children, which
represents her as a caring mother which typical of a horror film. Ethel wears a
white long dress hiding her figure; she is represented as the old-fashioned
character. The white long dress she wears signifies her innocence or her
vulnerability like Casey in Scream, at the end of the opening sequence she
murdered by ‘Ghostface’. Ethel has short brown hair which looks a boy’s haircut
which goes against the conventions of a horror film. Female characters usually
have long blonde hair which is represented as the sexy, attractive character in
a horror film.
Bobbie is represented a
casual young lad, though out the whole film he wears jeans, a grey & green
shirt & trainers with dark brown hair making him look like he isn’t too
concerned about what he wears like typical teenage girls are. He behaves like a
typical teenager in a horror film; he plays pranks on his sisters & tells
jokes to his family.
Big bob carter is represented as a man in charge he wears a navy
cap on, dark blue t-shirt with jeans on, he also has a full moustache which
symbolise maturity. The moustache could
also signify laziness, he’s too lazy to shave he’s facial hair which makes him
look messy.
Lynn Carter is represented as a mother; she wears a dull red long
dress that falls down to her knees which only shows off her legs, her hair is
tied restricting her from looking attractive. She behaves gentle, she reassures
her husband (Doug) to keep his cool when Big Bob critics Doug emphasising on
girls being delicate or persuasive to men.
Doug is represented as the protagonist; he’s the one that defeats
the antagonist as men are represented as the brave character in a horror
film. 
 |
| Character from the hills have eyes |
 |
| Character from wrong turn |
The creatures are represented as something as unpleasant. Their faces
are deformed making them look like animals. They’re all dressed casually
representing them as normal people however they’re dirty which matches how they
look representing them as uncivilised beings.
The creatures are ugly & scary looking which follows the conventions
of a horror film. The creatures are similar looking to the antagonists from
‘Wrong Turn’
Location is revealed at the beginning of the clip (12 seconds)
Location:
The Gas station attendant's house is in an
isolated area, there’s no other properties around. The isolated area signifies the man
likes being in solitary, he lives alone with on-one around representing him as
an antisocial man. Inside he’s house is dark & dull with things everywhere
looking untidy reflecting his personality representing him as a grumpy old man.
The connotation ‘isolated area’ raise in a horror film are danger,
jeopardy, unlucky, something bad is coming your way.
The lynn scene is near to the end of the clip (11:17)
The supermarket Lynn goes into is messy some of the items are on
the floor, inside looks un-organised reflecting on the gas station attendant
& the creatures. Further in the isolated desert is a neighbourhood with house
which belongs to the creatures representing them as normal brings wanting to
fit in, avoiding being alienated. The creatures’ house is untidy & there
are manikins in the house which represents them as inhumane.
Props:
One of the creature characters was holding a leg signifying he’s
inhumane
Sunscreen, Brenda was applying that to her skin showing she wants
to look pretty just like horror films.
Crows- signify bad luck, danger, death empathising on the ‘horror
theme’ something bad is going to happen.
Bobbie holds a gun with his dad Big Bob representing me as a brave
boy. Bobbie scares his sister Lynn Carter empathising of him being the childish
character going with conventions of a horror film; teenage boys like playing
pranks on girls. Bobbie looks worried when one of his dogs goes missing, he
ends up going to search for him showing that the dog is he’s companion. When he
sees that his dog is dead he starts to cry showing how much the dog means, he
is showing his sensitive side. Bobbie is scared when he realises he is being
followed this results to him falling over & passing out at this point he’s
represented as the weak character.
 |
When Bobbie returns back to
his family, he’s anxious; he’s walking up & down crying at the same time
representing him as a frightened boy. Although he is the male character he is
still a teenager & Bobbie empathise this which is typical to a horror film.
Brenda sunbathes during day representing her as a typical feminine wants to get the tanned look making her feel pretty; stereotypically in a horror film blonde white female characters have tanned skin. Brenda rolls her eyes when she’s speaking to her mum indicating she has an attitude problem. In the caravan Brenda is being attacked by the male creature, she’s screaming & crying, she is being abused representing her as a weak character; typically in a horror film; girls are represented as being feminine to fight their own battles. Her top is ripped off exposing her bra representing her as some kind of sex symbol however the mum is just killed avoiding her being represented as a ‘sex symbol’ because she’s old & doesn’t necessary appeal to males. Brenda later on in the film is represented as being strong taking the role of a male; she hits one of the creatures with a weapon.
Ethel Carter was arguing with her husband big Bob representing her as women that likes to speak; in horror films women are seen as being overreacting. Ethel holds the baby tightly after the car accident has occurred empathising on the fact that mothers are caring. Ethel bosses Lynn around telling her what to do with her baby empathising on her being a mother. Ethel is shot by one of the male creatures showing off her vulnerability.
fighting scene of doug (1:00)
Doug is seen as the protagonist; he goes to save he’s daughter & get into a fight with one of the antagonists, although at the beginning of the fight he’s beaten up, he’s manages to defeats them this follows the conventions of horror film; the male characters are the brave, He look tough, determined as save the day, emphasising on his bravery.
The creatures are further reinforced as being inhumane as they are
raping one of the victims, threatening to shoot the baby, beating up one of the
female victim (Brenda) representing her
as the victim & the male creatures as
the antagonist having no sympathy this is similar to ‘Scream’ (when Ghostface
murdered Casey brutally).
Lighting-
The lighting that is used in the film is how key low
contrast and low key high contrast. High key low contrast is used so that the
audience are aware of whats is happening. The low key high contrast is used in
the middle of the film. This is where all the action starts which is typical of
a horror film. The dark lighting creates a spooky suspenseful asomsphere relating to the action that is taking place at
the point e.g. Brenda being attcked by the ceature and Big Bob on fire.
Cinematography:
Camera angle, Shot, Movement and Position that are used which is
typical to a horror film are:
A medium shot is used a lot in horror films it is also used frequently throughout this film. Mostly in a fighting scene showing good and bad attacking each other. There is a medium shot of Doug & one of the creatures fighting; we see their body language & see the antagonist being defeated which is significant in a horror film.
Crane shot used at the beginning of the video clip (9 seconds)
Panning shot is important to establish a location like an establish shot however a pan moves from left to right. Panning is used empathising on the ‘isolated area’ giving the location a scary, peculiar theme.
Editing: Shot reverse shot from Doug to the antagonist fighting. High angle shot reverse shot is used for when Doug is losing the battle indicating weakness & low angle shot reverse shot of the antagonist indicating power. However the role changes when Doug has gained power, it’s the opposite (low angle on Doug & high angle on the antagonist. This follows the conventions of a horror film; the protagonist always wins the battle in the end.
Sound:
Typical
Non diegetic sound: a slow violin sound developing tension in the atmosphere
(the family arrive at the gas station at the beginning). Slow distorted sound
with a siren sound played continuously (played when Brenda is being attacked by one of the male creatures)
indicating something bad is going on.
There is a heartbeat sound effect inserted into the film (Doug
hiding away from one of this creatures) which is a significant, it indicates
him being scared which goes againist the convention f an horror film. The sound of the heartbeat is also used in ‘Scream’ (Casey hiding
from Ghostface). When Doug has defeated the creature the music becomes louder
& triumphant signifying his victory over the creature & he relief.
Dialogue: Brenda‘s tone of speaking is cheeky
when she’s speaking to her mother “I’m so bored I could take ‘chronic’” (slang
for weed) following the stereotypes of teenagers getting stoned.
Ethel tone of speaking is clueless when’s she fails to understand
the meaning of “chronic” “what’s she speaking about?” Empathising on old people being old-fashion
in today’s society, not understanding slang.
Part three: Detailed textual analysis:
Mise- en-
scene:
Setting/location – desert; connotation of an abandoned
space; typically horror films have isolated location giving it a ‘spooky’
feeling like the film ‘the children of the corn’ (the barn is separate, there
isn’t any neighbours around)
Throughout this sequence the lighting is low key high contrast. We only see light from the caravan which empathises on the family only being at this location which makes the audience think something bad is going to happen. The tone is cold which makes the atmosphere spooky and also eerie.
Costume- Brenda wears flowery painted pyjamas
symbolising girly dressing. She has
blonde hair which is typical to a horror film; she’s pretty so that we appeal
to her & sympathise the situation she’s in.
Ethel wears a long white dress white signifies ‘good’ portraying
her innocence.
The male creatures- wear casual clothing (trousers & shirt)
this isn’t typically of a horror film because usually the antagonist are in
dark clothing empathising who they are. They have deformed faces which makes
them looks unattractive; the antagonist in horror film are ugly looking or have
hidden identity making the audience dislike them.
Props – Only the antagonists has weapons showing
they have power over the woman; horror films male characters are in possession
with gun, knifes empathising they’re power.
Facial expression & body language – At the beginning is calm, she’s sleeping peacefully empathising her gentleness when she’s woken up by the she starts to panic, screaming & crying for help signifying she’s in need of help. Typically in horror films female character are not as brave as male characters. Brenda is frightened when the creature hits her aggressively suggesting she’s powerless.
Lynn & Ethel are both shot this empathise of the fact they’re
not attractive, they haven’t got the typical look (blonde long hair, tanned
skin) The creature threatens to shoot the baby showing he has not sympathy at
all matching the typical antagonist.
Use of
camera-
The scene starts with a CU of Brenda screaming and panicking at
the same time & a CU of the creature’s enjoyment. There is several other CU’s
of them both. This use of camera is used to show the juxtaposition between both
characters facial expressions. The close – ups signifies how scared Brenda is
and how elated the creature is, empathising his wickedness as an antagonist. The
close-ups are high and low angles of Brenda and the antagonist. The high and
low angles shot reverse shot is typical convention in a horror film showing
power and weakness. The high angle is of Brenda empathising on her weakness
further more. The low angle is of the creature showing his power over Brenda.
LS were used to shows what the creature was doing to Brenda from
head to toe & revealing the location also. The camera cuts to a long shot
establishing how isolated the family are the camera quickly cuts to a mid-long
shot of big bob tied to a tree set on fire. This camera angle reveals the
background also which is outside in the dark. The cuts to Big Bob back to Brenda
being attacked.
Editing-
Style- The shot – reverse- shot was used (interaction with Brenda & the creature) to further empathise his power over her.
Cross cut is significant in a horror film to shows multiplies of
conflict happening at the same time but at different locations (There is a
cross cut between Brenda being abused in the caravan & Big Bob set on fire
outside. The camera cuts from Brenda trying to defend herself to Big Bob tied
to a tree burning alive.
Pace- The pace is slow at the beginning of the
sequence showing Brenda sleeping, stating the state of normality however pace
gets faster when Brenda is being attacked (showing loss of power). There are more
cuts at this point to increase the level of excitement for the audience.
Sound-
Use of use of non diegetic parallel music – The
sound reflects the atmosphere & the victim’s situation; the music starts
off slow & quiet increasing the tension between the antagonist &
victim. The tempo of the music increases when there is action empathising on the
vulnerability of the victims. The sound at this point matches the pace.
Poster analysis
Tagline- The text is on the left hand corner in between the credits
& title saying which is in colour white. The tagline is in white
siginifying that good people will die first. ‘The lucky ones dies first’
implies toture; the ones that die last are totured for longer, Whoever dies
first is lucky.
Credits- The credits is thereso the audience knows the cast that took apart in the making of the movie. This credits is on the left hand corner of the poster at bottom.
Credits- The credits is thereso the audience knows the cast that took apart in the making of the movie. This credits is on the left hand corner of the poster at bottom.
The director’s & screenplay names is
written first which is Alexander Aja then the main actors (stars of the movie)
is next Ted
Levine, Kathleen
Quinlan & Dan Byrd
Release
Date- The release date is there so that the audience know when
the movie is released .This
release date is shown at the bottom of the left hand of the poster ‘March 2006.The
hils have eyes could have been released on this date because there is an
hoilday during this month, the target audience of the film will have free time
to watch the movie.
Images- The poster has a girl that’s face is a little blurred, she
has red substance on her hand & is clutching on to another characters face.
Her face is screwed with her mouth open showing her teeth.The character in the
backgorund is represented as the antagonist; she has blood on her hands &
nails & looks like she’s enjoying what she is doing. The antagonist looks
messy & ugly making the audience dislike this character following the
conventions of a horror movie. Her blood in her hands matches the colour of the
title which is synergetic to the film. People will recongise the film. The
poster has a girl with long brown hair hiding her identity, unable to see her
facial expression. The character that is the foreground is reprsented as the
victim,following the conventions of a horror genre; white female characters are
usually the victim in need of help. The antagonist hand is on the girls face
making the victim look like she’s struggling & vulnerable.
Target audience- The film could be targeted to the people that
enjoy hororr films the most and that is
teenagers. The image shows two young female characters which look like
teenagers making it relatable to the target audience. The character with the
dirty bloody nails suggests that the location is set in an isolated area that
has inhumane things living there. This can appeal to both genders as horror
film is a popular demographic towards teenagers. On the other hand the the
target audience can be targeted to adults; the hills have eyes by Wes
Craven1977 was targeted towards a adluts rather then teenaegrs, they will be
more likely to watch this currently film and like it.
USP- ‘The Hills Have Eyes’ is the unquie selling point, the title
appears red in other advertising campagins such as poster, trailer, website.
People are bombared by images, seeing the title constantly will automatically
register in people’s mind persuading them into watching the film. This film is
a re-make of Wes Craven’s original story the audience that enjoyed
Craven’s films may be more likely to watch this movie as the hills have eyes
was influenced by Wes Craven.
Production companies- The film was producted by Craven-Maddalena
Films [us] The Company is a successful company, the company produced ‘Scream 2
& scream’
Scream Budget:
$23,000,000
Opening Weekend:
$32,926,342 (USA) (14 December 1997) (2 Screens)
Gross:
$101,363,301 (USA)
The company Craven-Maddalena earned more than their budget, with a
$6843659 difference. The audience that enjoyed the film ‘Scream’ are obliged to
watch ‘The hills have eyes’
Review analysis
clcik on this hyperlink to see the hills have eyes review
I will be analysing the hills have eyes review from variety magazine online review, written by Robert Koehler
Paragraph 1 and 2 is about Aja’s background & his
relationship with the writer/ director (Aja & Gregory Lavasseur) of the
original 1977 film
Paragraph 3 & 4 is about the opening sequence, it speaks
about where the main location takes place in the film (New Mexico). It tells us
how the ‘ghoulish killers’ appear in the desert because of the nuke testing in 1940s/50s.
Paragraph 4 speaks about Wes Craven story which takes over
by the hills have eyes.
Paragraph 5, 6 & 7 is about the characters & their
representation in the film
Paragraph 9 comments on the gore & violence especially
in the second hour of the film
Paragraph 10 speaks about the antagonist in the film (Big
Brain & Patriarch Papa Jupiter)
Paragraph 11 discusses the protagonist. He’s transition to
‘Peacenik’ to ‘Red eyed revenger’
Paragraph 12 is about the use of lighting, make-up &
cinematography is used in New Mexico by Gregory Nicotero, Howard Berger &
Maxime Alexandre.
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