Formula Analysis

The formula that I identified was that of action packed movies.  Both of the movies that I viewed both have the myth of the Hero’s Journey associated with them.  They both have the boy gets girl theme associated with them.  The movie formula does not appear to change throughout time.  The plot to the movie changes or alters but the formula itself does not change.  If you look at recent movies like Iron Man and Iron Man the same formula still applies to them as well.  If I had the opportunity to change the existing formula I am not certain that I would.  I go by the philosophy if it’s not broken don’t fix it.  The plot of the movie is what’s most import not the formula; the formula has withstood over the centuries and is working just fine.

HUMN341

Sample Grid for Formula Analysis Paper

Artifact	Beliefs	Myth	Hero	Setting	Ritual	Stereotype	Formulas
Movie
The Matrix	1. Everyone on the planet live in a false reality which has been created by someone/something else. 2. There is a way to live in the true world not the altered reality that we all walk around in but it will come at great cost 3. People should be able to live life in its true form. 4.  Living in the “true reality” exposes you to more danger and knowledge.  Living in the altered reality keeps you safe due to your ignorance and believing what they want you to believe even though it is not true.	The Monomyth; The Myth of The Hero’s Journey	Neo – reluctant hero, but a citizen hero. Demonstrates resiliency, tenacity; Came from commonplace origins; Engages in everyday activities; Possesses qualities the culture values highly; Exemplifies American virtue of perseverance	A metropolitan city.	Rites of Passage (e.g., Neo must determine if he is ready to learn the truth and battle evil or continue to live in ignorance.  Neo accepts the challenge and undergoes a “rebirth” and transforms into and ultimate being.  He becomes “the one”. Rites of Unity – Neo and Trinity fall in love and work together to battle the agents and free the people.	The normal everyday guy who is just going along with his life, not happy with his job, no significant other, feels like something is missing. Not a sophisticated superhero. Villains are mad with power and wish to bring harm to ordinary citizens	Action-Adventure Everyday guy who feels that something is not right decides to investigate to find out what the problem is. Boy gets girl of his dreams, then loses her due to getting shot in alternate reality, but then gets her back when she professes her love for him and kisses his body that is there with her and he hears her and feels the kiss. This movie is based in an alternate reality and a true reality.  Neo represent the hero but he is the unknown hero to the people in the alternate who do realize that the reality in which they live is not real.
Video game
Television commercial
Song
Novel
Commonalities In each column

Fill in only for the two items that you selected. The movie Spiderman has been completed as an example.

HUMN341

Sample Grid for Formula Analysis Paper

Artifact	Beliefs	Myth	Hero	Setting	Ritual	Stereotype	Formulas
Movie
Independence Day	1The Earth and  its people are superior to all other life forms and we will not succumb to any other life forms. 2. Alien life forms exist and their main goal is to take over the world and exterminate the population of people on Earth. .	The Monomyth; The Myth of The Hero’s Journey	Captain Hiller – willing hero, fighter in Armed Forces. Demonstrates resiliency, tenacity; Came from commonplace origins; Engages in everyday activities; Possesses qualities the culture values highly; Exemplifies American virtue of perseverance	Metropolitan City and the Dessert	Rites of Initiation (e.g., Captain Hiller and his team belong to an elite fighting group of pilots for the armed forces. Rites of Unity – Captain Hiller falls in love with his live in girlfriend and when he thinks that the world has come to an end he proposes and marries her prior to flying off to save the world.	The normal everyday guy who is just going along with his life, not happy with his job, no significant other, feels like something is missing. Not a sophisticated superhero. Villains are extraterrestrial aliens here to take over the world and wipe out the population of the world.	Action-Adventure Captain in the Armed Forces becomes American Hero by fighting the aliens and destroying them. Boy gets girl of his dreams, then loses her due to alien invasion, but then gets her back when she survives the attack and helps others caught in the attack along the way while trying to find her fiancé. This movie is based in various cities and desserts.  Captain Hiller represents the unknown hero who along with 2 other gentlemen save the world from alien invasion.
Video game
Television commercial
Song
Novel
Commonalities In each column

Fill in only for the two items that you selected. The movie Spiderman has been completed as an example.