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Media Representations

All the main characters in the film are being represented in a stereotypical view. The main characters Dale ( Seth Rogen) and Saul ( James Franco) are represented as drug abusers which is shown by how their behavior changes frequently. This is done by representing them in different ways such as getting paranoid. This is typically associated with drug users. Also how one moment they're laid back then they panic over a little sound.

Saul, the drug dealer is also represented by the way he lives. He is introduces in a messy apartment and is sitting down smoking marijuana. This representation is fairly accurate as it gives the impression that the character doesn't do anything else. Dale, the process server is represented as having a working class mentality. This is because after work he drinks and takes drugs so attempts to seek escapism from his life.

Dale's girlfriend, Angie is a student. There is a big age gap between the two as Dale is a lot older. Angie is represented as a pretty face who is with an older man. She is portrayed as an airhead. Druglord Ted is represented as evil. He plays the role as the villain and is represented in this way by having henchmen. He works with a corrupt police officer named Carol. It provides us with a representation of the police system. Also as the corrupt police officer is a women, it could suggest a sexist view of women that they're unable to do a 'man's job'.

Media Languages and Forms

Forms such as the clothing of the characters link well with the role they play. Dale wears a ruff suit which shows how he is washed up and has an average job. Saul has long hair and gives the impression of a 'hippy'. This is also because of his laid back attitude.

The setting is in the city. This allows it to seem realistic as drugs are more frequent in the city. The lighting is mainly high key lighting. This may be a surprise as the film is to do with drugs and crime. However it connotes that the genre isn't horror and it also still gives that comedy edge to it. Also the make up used to show the bruises on them imply that they have been on a wild adventure. In addition conveys the message how drugs can take control of you.

The dominant images in the text are cigars and guns. These two images are clearly relevant to the main theme of the text as it provides a huge amount of action. However doesn't sum up the genre as it is a comedy.

Narrative

The protagonist Dale is created by introducing him to the audience immodestly so they can familiarize with his role. He is not seen as the ideal hero as he is clumsy and isn't tough. He is created as the hero as he is being chased by the villain. This again shows why he isn't a stereotypical protagonist as this would usually be the other way around. The villain, Ted is created when the audience see him commit murder. This creates shock and is immediately hated by the audience. This is seen by Dale and thus creating him as the hero.

Saul provides the function of a sidekick/ false hero. This is confirmed as he is second in command to Dale. This is a way of identifying with the audience by giving a familiar narrative where the hero has a back up. Another way of identifying with the audience is by having many different subordinates for the villain. This also provides different obstacles for Dale and Saul. Therefore the audience are also able to identify with the two characters better.

The values and ideologies the text provide is a negative view of drugs. This is because it shows how you're no longer in control of your actions and provides an involuntary effect on you. This is directed at the audience through the characters entertaining yet shocking action.

Genre

The genre of the text is action/ comedy. To more extent comedy as this is enforced throughout the film. The main hint that suggests the text is a comedy is the main actor Seth Rogen. The audience will identify it is a comedy as he has done many, many comedy films in the past. Such as Knocked Up, Superbad and Step Brothers. He has contributed one way or another. In this particular text he also helped write the script. However iconographic features such as guns wouldn't suggest its a comedy straight away. This is because guns are more associated with action.

Media Institutions

The text was distributed by Colombia Pictures. Which are well known for distributing the Spiderman movies. The producers Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson were involved with Seth Rogen in films Superbad and Knocked Up. Therefore by being involved in similar films in the past they may have decided to use the same kind of humor that they have used in those two films in this text.

Media Values and Ideology

The values made by the text on society are very contemporary. Due to crime being committed by an upper class man connotes how they're challenging the stereotype of a criminal. However their representations of women aren't contemporary. With one being represented as an airhead and the other a corrupt police officer. Also they're no major roles played by women. Therefore the texts ideologies of women are negative.

Media Audiences

The target audience is mainly males aged 16-25. The two main characters follow this criteria therefore the audience are able to relate to them. Assumptions of audiences characteristics that is implicit in the text is the use of drugs and violence. This is associated with teenagers. Therefore this type of audience may be able to identify with the text.