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Josie Mazzitelli

Professor Gardiakos

ENC 1102

31 March 2024

Visual Effects and Transitions Affecting the Storytelling within Films

Introduction

One of the primary areas that captivates my interests is the enthralling world of

cinematography, a topic where I find myself deeply immersed. Within this expansive field, my

fascination is particularly drawn to the intricate details meticulously placed within all films alike.

Movies have not merely been a form of entertainment, but have also served as an integral part of

my life to this day. The significant influence of cinematic experiences goes back to my

childhood, as I was raised by my parents surrounding me with the captivating concept that is the

silver screen. 18 years later, we’ve created an immense amount of long-lasting memories and

bonds through our shared cinematic moments. Additionally, some of these films have even

taught me valuable lessons and helped me create my own opinions on serious topics relevant in

today's society.

Although my cinematic palate is diverse, encompassing any and all genres, my personal

preference of film is the obscure allure of mystery movies. Mystery movies are the genre that

holds such a lasting grip on my affection for one specific reason. The inherent appeal lies in the

necessity to thoroughly examine every nuanced detail, a practice that invites and in some ways

forces the viewer to engage actively in solving the intricate puzzles presented by the narrative

before the main character does. These seemingly inconspicuous "small details" form the core of

my admiration for cinematic art. This is due to the fact that they unveil the director's deliberate
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choices and intentions, communicated through a plethora of rhetorical moves. These moves,

ranging from specific word choices to the manipulation of color palettes, the strategic use of

music, and the dynamic interplay between camera angles and transitions versus a continuous

shot, serve as an artistic collection, shaping the visual and narrative landscape of a film.

The exploration of these cinematic elements has enhanced my curiosity on this topic and led me

to formulate the research question which is: "How do visual effects and transitions contribute to

the impact and storytelling within a film?" This inquiry seeks to decipher the intricate connection

between visual aesthetics and storytelling dynamics, exploring into the ways in which these

cinematic elements collaboratively enhance the overall impact and narrative depth of a movie.

Research Synthesis

Before diving into the results of the primary research, it is crucial to establish connections with

existing material that offers significant insights contributing to the broader discussion at hand.

The entire research question involves the use of VFX, or visual effects, making background

information crucial. The first time anyone witnessed the use of visual effects in film was in 1933

when the original King Kong was released. At that time, the technology was considered

revolutionary and possibly disrupting the classic film structure the audience was used to (Se-

kyung). Almost a decade later in the 1940’s, filmmakers gave the storytelling aspect an upgrade.

According to "Reinventing Hollywood: How 1940s Filmmakers Changed Movie Storytelling",

the 1940s brought a “sudden surge in innovative storytelling”, introducing new film strategies

such as flashbacks, voiceover narration, subjective characterization, and self-reflexive

stylization. Author and film scholar Thomas Schatz states that “The forties gave us basic tools of

modern movie storytelling". An additional strategy that became heavily used in films is the

“goal-oriented protagonist”, which entails exactly what it sounds like: the main character leading
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the story to be about achieving their goal. This was often paired with the “double plot” strategy,

which combined the story of the protagonist attempting to complete their goal while adding the

aspect of romance. The 1940’s was one of, if not the most important decade in regards to

improving the film industry. These new strategies being introduced were crucial for the future of

movies due to the need for audience engagement. After watching so many of the same type of

movie, it was inevitable that people would become bored of what they were seeing. When the

previously mentioned strategies in addition to others came into play, audience engagement was

bound to increase. A major part of holding the audience’s attention and entertainment is through

their sense of sight, or the visual aspects. The main visual element that commonly grabs the

audience’s focus is the camera angles. Positioning and/or moving the camera a certain direction

or transitioning harmoniously from one scene to the next tends to linger with those watching,

hooking them into the story (Cutting). Due to the connection between high levels of audience

engagement and intriguing visual effects, the importance of VFX cannot be mistaken.

Furthermore, some films need the addition of visual effects to enhance the plot into a full

storyline. The article “Visual Effects in Movies: Bridging the Imagination-Reality Divide”

describes the indispensable role of VFX in modern filmmaking and emphasizes how visual effect

artists bridge the gap between imagination and reality. The author clearly states that visual

effects can take an audience to places and situations that were only imaginable, such as fantasy

lands and epic wars (Mandapuram 43). Some of the necessary effects include simply expanding

on the director’s imagination. For example, fantasy movies always have an aspect of idealism,

whether it’s the whole setting of the film or a simple magical tree in the background. Because of

these technological advancements, directors can bring their original ideas to life without change

by creating entire universes. On the other side of things, visual effects are also needed for actors
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to transform, not just their surroundings. Regardless of if it’s simply aging the actor or

completely transforming them into a non-human creature, visual effects facilitate performers to

take on parts that challenge their physical look and their acting capabilities. Through VFX

“character growth and narrative progression are often improved” (Mandapuram 44). On top of

heavily editing changes through VFX, these effects are also used for smaller tasks, sometimes

just to enhance an opening title sequence or action scene. Author Hasrul Hashim expands on this

by explaining that there are three categories based on the function of DVFx, or digital effects,

usage: the construction of ‘fantasy’, creative simulation or storytelling support, and visual

enhancement or corrections. He clarifies that there is no correct way to utilize the resource that is

VFX. No matter the size of the project, the digital effects will be able to take that aspect to the

next level. A specific example of this can be found within horror movies. Despite the common

emotion all horror genres make the audience feel, the amount of visual effects used within the

film ranges from none to a completely digitally effected movie. Film studies scholar and author

Barry Grant analyzes the intricate elements utilized in horror films to captivate audiences and

establish immersive environments. Within his article “Digital anxiety and the new verité horror

and sf film”, Grant repeatedly emphasizes the strategic use of camera angles specifically and

how they evoke the desired responses the director wants from the audience. One example that

stands out from the previous article comes from a horror movie franchise centered around

camera angles entitled “Rec”. Near the conclusion of the first film, the main characters are

exploring a penthouse when a trap door to an attic bursts open. To see what could be up there

without risking their safety, they raise the camera into the attic and pan clockwise 360 degrees

and then bring the camera back down to check the footage. Now the audience is clearly seeing

what the camera lens sees, as no characters are seeing it. As the camera pans, a creature suddenly
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appears out of the darkness, startling the viewers and adding a level of suspense and tension.

This is due to the fact that the audience knows that the characters are in danger, yet they

themselves do not, stressing how crucial the camera’s point of view is in relation to the story.

Alternatively, other visual effects hold the same importance when it comes to different genres

and plot points. Emy Sudarwati and Nur Zatalini point out the intense and pivotal impact the use

of color has in the film “The Giver”. The significance of color goes beyond aesthetics. By

employing color to deepen the story's meaning, emphasis is put on the interpretive nature of

color and its ability to convey symbolic significance. The authors explain their findings more by

breaking them into 3 main points: The first, color can be analyzed as a sign because colors have

certain meaning behind its presence. Second, the use of color in a movie is related to the story

and the character. Third, analyzing the sign using connotative meaning is suitable in order to

understand the meaning behind it well. (Sudarwati & Zatalini). In essence, visual effects of all

kinds are essential elements in crafting compelling narratives and engaging audiences. By

understanding their strategic use and impact, filmmakers can effectively convey their intended

messages and create memorable cinematic experiences.

Methods

For my primary research, I thought it would be best to employ a multifaceted approach,

utilizing a diverse array of methods to ensure an in-depth exploration of my chosen area of study.

To get more specific, I examined the analysis of the same film from three separate sources:

critics, the general public, and myself. When it came to narrowing down the films, I wanted to

stick with movies made in the last 55 years, dating back roughly to 1970. Additionally, selecting

what genres to observe was an equally important task. I found that comedy, drama, horror, and
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fantasy were the most popular film genres by researching the top ten, then taking a survey to

narrow it down to the top four (see fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Image depicts a pie chart showcasing the results from an online survey with the topic stating “What is your favorite
film genre?”. Survey shows 62 responses; 9 selecting Drama, 10 selecting both Comedy and Fantasy, and 11 selecting
Horror.

By employing the use of both experts and the public’s opinions, this increases both the reliability

of the data, but also the practical relevance. Starting with the most intimate form of analysis, I

personally analyzed different genres of films by comparing and contrasting the usage and types

of rhetorical moves

found within each

movie. By

applying this

method to such a

biased question, it

will allow for a

clear comparison

without skewing

from others who review movies for their career. I believe this method will show great outcomes

for my research, not only because it relies on myself for the answers, but because of how distinct

the results will be. Complementing this introspective analysis, I used additional observations and

intel from critics who are considered to have a more professional and trusted opinion when it

comes to rating films. Platforms like rottentomatoes.com, which amalgamate both expert and

audience reviews, will serve as a rich source of critical perspectives. This approach aims to

juxtapose the evaluations of industry experts with my personal assessments, showing points of
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parallelism and divergence in our analyses. By doing so, I aim to unravel the dynamic

connection between professional critique and personal evaluation, shedding light on the varied

perspectives that shape the reception of films within the public eye. Furthermore, in

acknowledgment of the inherent correlation between my research question and public opinion, I

have also integrated methodologies that directly engage with the opinions of the general

populace. Through systematic observation of audience reactions immediately following their

viewing of the film, individuals are more inclined to provide candid feedback, as their responses

are not pressured, thus facilitating a genuine expression of their opinions. At its core, my

research methods are designed strategically to triangulate insights from personal analysis, expert

critiques, and public opinions, ensuring a well-rounded exploration of the intricate dynamics that

underlie film appreciation.

Results

Genre 1: Comedy

Argylle

The first film selected in the comedic genre is titled “Argylle”. This action/comedy

recently came out in the beginning of February 2024 with high anticipation, due to the star

studded cast, including actors such as Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell. Argylle is about

author Elly Conway who writes best-selling espionage novels about a secret agent named

Argylle who's on a mission to unravel a global spy organization. However, when the plots of her

books start to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, the line between fiction

and reality begins to blur. The audience quickly starts to see similarities between Argylle and

Elly, these comparisons later revealing that Elly was in fact Agent Argylle. Throughout the film,

camera transitions are heavily utilized to enhance character development and the plot itself, the
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most common strategy being a “camera blackout” or “camera blink”. This entails briefly cutting

to black for a fraction of a second, simulating the action of a camera's lens closing and

reopening. This stylistic choice was employed to create a seamless transition between Elly's

fabricated persona and her authentic self. This movie unfortunately did not do well in theaters,

making only 45.2 million compared to their 200 million dollar budget, and the critic’s reviews

reflected on why. Argylle received a 32% on Rotten Tomatoes, the consensus being “Argylle

gets some mileage out of its silly, energetic spin on the spy thriller, but ultimately wears out its

welcome with a convoluted plot and overlong runtime.”. Top Critic, Sergio Burstein, writes in

his full critique that despite how satisfying it was to see tons of big names in the same film, it

was reasonable to expect much more from a $200 million mega production that “is excessively

conditioned by the use of CGI”. Another opinion from critic Maria Lattila writes that Argylle’s

story had great potential, but with connection to the “truly terrible CGI”, sometimes the plot gets

dumb, wearing the patience thin. Yet, she ends her review of the film with this remark: “But I’d

be lying if I said I didn’t have a good time.”. Despite the critics thinking the quality of the film

was well below par, the audience couldn’t disagree more. The audience scored this movie a 72%,

increasing the movie’s rating by more than double compared to the critics. The main point the

audience agreed on was that the film is an entertaining spy comedy with over-the-top action and

plenty of twists, although the fun , entertaining parts start to run out toward the end, making the

movie feel drawn-out. One audience member explains why she went to see the movie in the first

place, being that the trailer hooked her with the action shots portrayed. Additionally, she loved

the plot twists and unmistakable chemistry between the two lead characters. “I found the plot

easy to follow and loved how many layers were peeled away throughout the film. An absolutely

enjoyable ride from beginning to end!”. Another audience member called out critics, exclaiming
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“Yet another example of the "critics" being completely out of touch with what those that actually

watch films for entertainment enjoy”. With both opinions in mind and my own VFX-focused

analysis, I gave this movie a 75%. Plot-wise, I found this movie to be highly enjoyable, due to

how the visual effects framed the storyline. In the beginning of the film, there are plenty of small

details added in to connect Elly to her spy persona, the main example being within the first 5

minutes. The film commences with an action-packed sequence, featuring Agent Argylle

engaging in a physical confrontation with a corrupted spy. Following the capture of the rebel,

Argylle and his partner extract information, only to discover unexpected intelligence. As the

camera gradually zooms in on Argylle during the conversation with his partner about their next

steps, the focus narrows until only his moving mouth fills the screen, building tension. Using this

feeling to their advantage, the scene seamlessly transitions into Elly's mouth, delivering identical

dialogue as Argylle, effectively unveiling that the preceding events were from her book and

foreshadowing the connection between the spy character and herself. So, despite the low rating

from critics, partially because of the bad CGI, the general public didn’t seem to mind too much

and simply enjoyed the story.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

The second film analyzed in the comedic genre is entitled “Everything Everywhere All at

Once”. Released in April of 2022, this adventure/comedy is jam packed with quirky characters,

mind-bending plot twists, and hilariously unexpected situations. On the outside, this film shows a

glimpse of an exhausted Chinese-American woman’s life who just can't seem to finish her taxes.

When taking a closer look, this movie is revealed to be set in a multiverse where anything and

everything is possible. It really follows the journey of the woman, Evelyn, who discovers she is

not just one person, but countless versions of herself across different dimensions. As she
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navigates through parallel universes, each with its own set of challenges and absurdities, Evelyn

must confront her past, embrace her present, and ultimately save the multiverse from imminent

collapse. Across the entire film, countless forms of practical and digital visual effects were

utilized to further the plot. Directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert stated in an interview that

despite their six person visual effects team, which is incredibly small compared to most film

crews, the movie ended up having almost 500 visual effect shots. The movie contained a lot of

simple, hidden visual effects, but additionally had a couple crucial sequences that are entirely

digitally created with DFX. Daniel's used a combination of these special and visual effects to

achieve the look and feel for their new film. This movie did exceptionally well in theaters,

making over 50 million dollars in revenue, and this was imitated in the critic’s reviews. On

Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a whopping 94% from critics. Critic Laura Hiros raves in her

review stating “A film that will literally make you enjoy the great pleasures that a fictional story,

perfectly well told, can bring. This is what cinema was made for.”. Top critic Caryn James

explains in her evaluation that the film is delightfully crazy on the surface, yet has a deep layer

of family feeling and a well-earned emotional pull at the end. Looking at the review with their

connection to the movie, they explain that the use of all the crazy effects pay off in the best way,

by getting the movie’s central point across. Without a doubt, the critics loved the film, but some

controversy lies within audience opinions. Receiving a 79%, audience members shared mixed

feelings on the action packed comedy. One verified audience member describes in his feedback

that there were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, the overall theme is interesting, and the staging

and special effects were excellent. Yet at times the plot was very confusing if you don't pay close

attention. Although he felt conflicted on certain parts of the film, another verified audience

spectator feels the opposite. “It is complex, but it does a wonderful job of educating the audience
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on the premise, so it isn't difficult. The editing is phenomenal - visually stunning. It is no fluke

that this film won Best Picture on Oscar night.”. Though again, you do have people who believe

the movie had “a little too much going on, like an extended dream sequence” (Verified Audience

member). From the previous examples, it is clear that this movie is ultimately up to personal

preference. When it came to my personal taste, I rated this movie a 90%. The visual effects are

incomparable to other films. Not only were they done remarkably well, but the significance each

effect had on the storyline was immense. One example of this is when the antagonist is revealed

to be a variation of Evelyn’s daughter, Joy. Evelyn and her partner in crime are being handcuffed

in an office hallway when all of a sudden, the elevator opens. In slow motions red smoke starts

pouring out of the elevator and a dark shadow begins to walk towards her. The camera does a

slow zoom into the fog and onto the person's face, which in a huge twist, looks exactly like Joy.

This is a major part of the story that wouldn’t have held the same importance without the visual

effects. All in all, all parties believed this film had a little bit of everything and was executed

beautifully.

Genre 2: Drama

Seven

Moving into the polar opposite of the comedic genre, the first film representing the drama

genre is “Seven”. This crime filled movie was released into theaters on September 22nd, 1995

and made over 67 million dollars at the box office, leading it to be in the top 50 highest-grossing

films from the 1990s. When it comes to plot, the title maintains a big connection. Seven is about

a seasoned detective, William Somerset, and his young, impulsive partner David Mills as they

investigate a series of grisly murders based on the seven deadly sins. As the investigation

unfolds, they are led into a dark and twisted world orchestrated by a meticulous and enigmatic
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serial killer. The film builds tension masterfully through the use of VFX, specifically color

coding, culminating in a shocking and unforgettable climax that challenges the characters' moral

compasses and leaves viewers questioning the nature of justice. Audience and critics alike, this

movie received outstanding reviews, the overall rating from critics being 83%. One critic, Jeff

Simon, writes “It's a case where a traditional but nicely twisted plot is married smartly to MTV

visuals, to the uncommon advantage of them both.”. Simon refers to “MTV visuals” in regards to

incorporating vibrant colors and creative editing techniques to complement the mood and engage

the audience, which is often used throughout the film. Another critic explains the film as full of

implausibilities, but due to the power of narrative, performance, and stylised look and sound,

you're too absorbed to notice any. While the critics have given the film glowing reviews,

awarding it top marks, the audience response presents a challenge, rating it at 95%. Audience

members continued to praise the movie, numerous watchers saying that “the film's greatest

strength is its visual style”. Strangely enough, some people believe the film was overrated, yet

also stated in their evaluations that the film is still worth a watch for the visual aspects. From my

personal analysis, I give this film a 85%. The use of color rooted within the movie is intense

throughout the entirety of it. From the start, the colors blue and yellow, notably contrasting

colors, are given a role within the story. Blue is assigned as the color of the city: brutal and cold;

where oppositely the color yellow is given to the interiors of buildings and homes: safety and

warmth. The point of making these two colors contrast is to show the eternal struggle between

good and evil. Additionally, the lack of vibrant colors mirrors the dehumanization and decay of

the city as a whole. More specifically, each of the seven themed murders has a color. For

example, the first is gluttony. This crime scene had an overwash and items of black. Black

reflects the decay associated with the sin of gluttony, creating a claustrophobic and unsettling
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atmosphere no one wants to be around. This was the case for all seven crime scenes, showing the

impact the color coding strategy had on the plot of the film.

Leave the World Behind

The second film selected was released in December of 2023 and is entitled “Leave the

World Behind”. In this apocalyptic thriller, Amanda and her husband Clay rent a luxurious home

for the weekend with their kids, Archie and Rose. Their vacation is soon upended when two

strangers, G.H.and his daughter Ruth, arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious

cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. The two families reckon with a

looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms

with their places in a collapsing world. This film utilized mostly digital visual effects to enhance

the visual spectacle, including scenes of otherworldly landscapes and magical transformations.

While critics loved this film, rating it at 74%, audience’s couldn’t disagree more, averaging 35%.

Starting with critic reviews, Farah Cheded, a top critic on Rotten Tomatoes, states that it was

extremely entertaining and visually inventive with an amazing ending. Adding on to her, others

explain how the filmmakers masterfully balance the need for suspense without alienating the

audience, resulting in a viewing experience that is intriguing. Although critics applauded this

movie, audience members had different feelings to express. Some audience members felt

unresolved at the end of the film, saying explanations aren't always necessary for every aspect of

a film, but this felt a little too unresolved, almost as if it was a pilot episode of a television show

rather than a film. However, almost all critics included that it was worth the watch strictly

because the visuals were that impressive. Personally, I gave this movie a 50%. Although the

visual effects were phenomenal and up to date with modern technology, it wasn’t enough to
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distract me from the lack of an ending. If the directors put more thought into using more visual

effects to enhance the ending, perhaps it would have felt more satisfying for viewers to watch.

Genre 3: Horror

Five Nights at Freddys

Moving to the third genre of horror, “Five Nights at Freddys” is the first film to represent.

This PG-13 movie was released in October of 2023 with high anticipation from audience’s world

wide, due to its direct connection to the famous video game of the same name. The film follows

a troubled security guard as he begins working at a children’s arcade called Freddy Fazbear's

Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy's won't be so

easy to make it through. This movie showcased advanced half animatronic, half puppet suits that

were actually built to film with. By having the real suits on hand to use, this creates a more

authentic feeling for both the actors and those watching. Despite the talented work put towards

creating the puppets, the critics didn’t seem to care, averaging 32%. The consensus of the critics

was that although the film was filled with easter eggs from the video game, the movie may be

fun to watch for fans of the game, but most viewers of any other persuasion will find this

adaptation muddled and decidedly unscary. On the contrary, audience reactions were through the

roof, fans giving the film a 87%, with the main points focused on how the film perfectly captured

the lore and spirit of the source material through the use of the impressively constructed, real

animatronics. Personally, with my analysis, I am somewhere in between, rating the film at 65%. I

can see what the critics were saying about how the plot itself lacks depth and fear in some points,

yet where the film did have those characteristics, it was due to the outstanding visual effects. For

example, having a real six foot animatronic jump out on screen made a huge difference. If an
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animated character tried jump scaring an audience, some, if not most people would automatically

assume it was fake, making the real props extremely important.

Shaun of the Dead

The second film selected for the horror genre is “Shaun of the Dead”, a comedy/horror

released in April, 2004 centered around friendship and zombies. The film follows Shaun, a 30-

something loser with a dull, easy existence. When he's not working at the electronics store, he

lives with his slovenly best friend, Ed, in a small flat on the outskirts of London. The only

unpredictable element in his life is his girlfriend, Liz, who wishes desperately for Shaun to grow

up and be a man. When the town is inexplicably overrun with zombies, Shaun must rise to the

occasion and protect both Liz, Ed, and his mother. Despite how silly the movie sounds, the film

is made up of intense and gruesome action sequences that enhance the story and character

development, and critics agree. The overall rating from the movie critics was 92%, which is an

honor to receive. One top critic writes “Twenty years after its release, Shaun of the Dead remains

a joyfully silly showcase for director Edgar Wright’s hyperkinetic visual style.”, and explains

how without Wright’s unique effects and strategies, this movie wouldn’t have been such a hit.

Additionally, audiences agree, giving the film almost the same rating: 93%. The audience

applauds on director Wright's directorial flair and how he infuses the film with his signature

visual style and innovative storytelling techniques. With meticulous attention to detail, clever

editing, and rapid-fire pacing, Wright creates a kinetic energy that propels the narrative forward.

Lastly, with my research in mind, I too give this movie a high rating of 98%. This film was

beautifully crafted with the story in mind as priority number one. All of the visual aspects were

used in the movie for the sole purpose of enhancing the viewer's ideas on the plot of the film, not

even for entertainment. For example, one strategy that was used a lot is called quick cut
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segments. This was implicated when a character had a lot of steps to do, all important to

showcase, but not necessarily fun to watch. Wright used these to move the film along quicker,

but also to ensure no movements or actions were getting lost.

Genre 4: Fantasy

Ghosterbusters

The final genre of fantasy begins with the selected film that is the original

“Ghostbusters”. Released in June of 1984, Ghostbusters is about a team of scientists who lose

their cushy positions at a university in New York City. They eventually decide to become the

"ghostbusters" to wage a high-tech battle with the supernatural for money. They stumble upon a

gateway to another dimension, a doorway that will release evil upon the city, and now they must

now save New York from complete destruction. This film was groundbreaking in the world of

visual effects at the time, utilizing never seen before techniques such as computer-generated

imagery (CGI) and motion tracking, revolutionizing the way specters and apparitions were

brought to life on screen. Starting off strong, critics enjoyed this movie a lot, rating it 95%. Top

critic Zoe R. Bryant explains that Ghostbusters galvanized the fantasy genre as a hilarious fable

with state-of-the-art special effects, and the others agree on this consensus. This film paved a

way for all the future fantasy movies, showing them how to concoct masterful settings and

effects necessary for clean storytelling. Additionally, audiences loved the film as well, rating it

an 88%. The consensus of audience reviews describe that Ghostbusters offers intense

supernatural action and special effects that still hold up today, which is the main characteristic of

importance. Finally, I give this film a 90%, due to its untouchable VFX and how those effects

impacted the plot of the movie. The scenes where the Ghostbusters are chasing ghosts through

the city of New York are obviously crucial to the story, so they have to be executed well, and
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they were. By using those new and improved (for the time) techniques, the movie had a polished

and fresh look loved by people everywhere.

Beauty and the Beast

The second film in question for the fantasy genre is the live action remake of “Beauty and

the Beast”. Released in March of 2017, the film follows the plot of the beloved Disney animated

original, where a girl from a small village named Belle gives up her freedom in an act of bravery

for her father. She finds herself in a magical castle where inanimate things are suddenly not

inanimate anymore and an unlikely character has a change of heart for her. Compared to the

original film in the early 1990s, critics seemed to enjoy this one more, rating it a 71%, with a

consensus of enjoying how the plot stayed true to the original source material, while still

revamping the older version with more modern visual effects, such as facial-capture technology.

By having those important aspects improved, it allows the audience to feel more involved with

the plot,without subconsciously reminding themselves that the people and places don't exist. The

audience, however, enjoyed the film even more, giving it a 80%. The audience members agree

with the critics when it comes to the importance of VFX in the newer version versus the older

one. One verified member states that this film is better than the original due to the visuals being

better, therefore filling some of the plot holes. Finally, I rate this film a 75%, strictly because it is

a remake, but a better version of its original. The techniques used to bring the characters to life,

specifically the Beast, were so well done. The actor who played the Beast wore stilts and a

prosthetic muscle suit covered with visual-effects indicators that tracked his every move, so his

character could be finalized and polished digitally. This technique, along with the others used for

the numerous animated characters, makes this film deserve the ratings it received.

Discussions and Implication

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Firstly, to simply put the data (see fig. 2), my personal analysis, which was focused solely on the

visual effects impact on the story of the films, was in between the critic and audience ratings 7

out of the 8 examples. I believe this is due to the fact I, a person normally within the “general

public” category, was analyzing the films as if I was a part of the “critics” category, almost

acting

Fig. 2: All 8 films with all 3 ratings Critics Audience Personal as an average
Argylle 32% 72% 75%
Everything Everywhere All at Once 94% 79% 90% between the two
Seven 83% 95% 85%
Leave the World Behind 74% 35% 50% communities.
Five Nights at Freddys 32% 87% 65%
Additionally, visual
Shaun of the Dead 92% 93% 98%
Ghostbusters 95% 88% 90% effects impacted the
Beauty and the Beast 71% 80% 75%
ratings of these films

heavily. If a film had great VFX, for example “Beauty and the Beast”, all communities rated the

movie similarly based on a shared focal point. However, if a film didn’t have the best visual

effects, like “Argylle”, critics do not rate the film as high due to the fact that their main focus is

the technical aspect of the movie, rather than the audience’s focus, which is the enjoyment factor.

While it is true that the VFX do also affect the enjoyment level for the general public, it doesn’t

affect their rating nearly as much as it does when it comes to the critics. To wrap this up clearly,

visual effects greatly impact the storytelling of a film, but when it comes to the general public,

entertainment value is more important.

In regards to the importance of this paper, research is conducted on any and every topic, no

matter the level of impotence it may hold to one person. Each research topic holds its own

significance within its respective community. Take, for instance, my area of focus, which holds

immense importance for film majors. These aspiring filmmakers are diligently constructing a
 Mazzitelli 19

solid foundation for their chosen careers, with my research area being directly relevant to their

pursuits. As they explore into their own inquiries and investigations, the findings and discoveries

from my research become essential resources that complement and enrich their academic and

professional journey.

On a less intense yet more broad side of things, this question applies to a lot more of the

population than one might think. The entire global population relies on entertainment to stay

mentally stimulated and engaged, regardless of their background or personality traits. While the

specific sources of entertainment may vary from person to person, everyone has their preferred

means of leisure activity. Among these, watching movies stands out as one of the most

universally embraced forms of entertainment, forging a strong connection between the general

public and this research topic. Just as individuals navigate their everyday lives, they

subconsciously engage in rhetorical analysis while watching films, often without even realizing

it. Through a research article, such as the one I have conducted and written, more individuals

will have access to the knowledge needed to further understand and enjoy these films that

everyone desires to possess.

 Mazzitelli 20

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