Brian Bennett

June 24, 2004

Animated Comedy

Definition of Genre: 

            Animated:  Containing or made of figures or objects that seem to move in a lifelike manner. (Webster’s Dictionary).

            Comedy:

• a medieval narrative that ends happily; a literary work written in a comic style or treating a comic theme
• a drama of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending b : the genre of dramatic literature dealing with the comic or with the serious in a light or satirical manner;
1. low comedy-comedy employing burlesque, horseplay, or the representation of low life
2. high comedy-comedy employing subtle characterizations and witty dialogue (CAB Summer ’02)

Alternative or Related Genres:  Anime, Family Adventures, cartoons

Subject Genre: (audience appeal)

Animated Comedies are created to appeal mainly to the younger child.  The use of non-threatening animals and an abundance of childish humor works to maintain the attention of the adolescent.  However, many of these movies are created with adult humor to appeal to the parents also.  

Representational Genre:  

Most Animated Comedies fall into the Drama or Dialogue genre.  The only exception might be Lion King 1 ½ with the warthog and prairie dog. 

Narrative Genre:

Although most Animated movies are comedies, they typically are coupled with romantic aspects.  Finding Nemo and the Toy Story movies are two examples where there is a romantic element present.   

Identifiable Highlights:

Comedy:  Many of the Animated Comedies follow the typically plot of introducing a problem somewhere near the beginning of the story.  A diver captured Nemo while Sully has a human infiltrate the company.  Another characteristic within these movies is the inevitable reconciliation of the problem. 

Examples of Genre:

Lion King, Toy Story 1 &2, Finding Nemo, Shrek 1 & 2, Monsters Inc., Antz, and A Bugs Life.

Questions:

1.      If you have seen any of these movies, do you feel the label of comedy is appropriate?  Why or Why not?

2.      Do you think these movies can draw an older audience?  If so what would be the main appeal.