Film Analysis

Hercules (1997)

OW: Hercules has super strength and has grown up in a normal family, but he feels like he doesn't belong.

Call: One night when he gets back, his parents explain to him that they found him and they give him the medallion that was around his neck.  He decides to go to Zeus's Temple to figure out who he is.  Zeus tells him that Hercules is his son, and the only way to rejoin the gods is to prove himself a true hero.  "Seek out Philoctetes"
Refusal: He doesn't know how to prove himself a true hero.  Philoctetes doesn't want to train him.
Mentor: Philoctetes finally gives in and trains Hercules to become a hero.
Threshold: Hercules is taken to test himself, but runs into Meg and saves her.  He also falls in love with her.
Tests, Allies, Enemies: Hercules saves two little "boys" and is attacked by a monster.  Everyone in the city thinks him a hero.  Meg and Hercules become closer and Meg falls in love with him.  Hades sends more monsters to try and get rid of Hercules.  Pain and Panic both secretly root for Hercules even though they are in league with Hades.

Approach: Hercules takes on everything that comes his way.  He always wins, and helps others.
Ordeal: Meg refuses to harm Hercules and so Hades takes Meg to Hercules and tricks him into giving up his strength.  After this happens, Hercules is told about Meg and how she works for Hades.  He is in shock and feels betrayed.  Soon though, a cyclops comes to kill Hercules and because he is brokenhearted, Hercules doesn't care if he dies. Phil comes back and Hercules defeats the cyclops, only to have Meg die.  So now he has to go save her soul.
Award: Hades loses and Hercules becomes a god once again. Meg lives and Hercules gets the girl.
The Road Back: Hercules learns that he loves Meg to much for her to die, so he saves her soul which makes him a true hero and turns him back to a god.
Resurrection: Meg comes back to life, and Hercules becomes a god.
Return with Elixir: Hercules goes home with Meg, but decides to be with her.  They kiss.


Archetypes
Hero: Hercules, Zeus
Mentor: Phil, Zeus
Threshold Guardian: Zeus, Parents, Phil, Meg
Herald: Hades
Shape Shifter: Meg
Shadow: Hades
Trickster: Hades

~Silver Sun

Ordinary World

 




The Magic Pen
Meet Silver Sun, she is a young girl going to high school, she loves art and draws daily. Her family is average and makes an average income.  Silver Sun loves being a stage techie, and wishes that she wouldn't graduate this year, but what can you do?

One day while on her way to school, she found a pen on the side of the road.  Not sure what to do with it, she pockets it and continues on her way to school.  In her first period art class, she takes out some paper and starts drawing with the pen. Quickly, she sketches out a bird; recapping the pen, she notices something strange about the drawing. 

Suddenly, the bird drawing hopped off the page and flew around the class chirping.  Silver Sun just couldn't believe her eyes.  This bird, this drawing was alive. How did this happen?  All I did was draw like nor-- the pen!  Gripping the pen in both hands she stared down at the label, but there wasn't one.

Everything she drew from the pen came to life even if it wasn't a normal creature.  Horrified at the idea, she decides to live on her own in the forest, to hid all the creatures that she created.

Questions:
What will she do with the pen now?
Why did she find the pen, or did the pen find her?
Will she always live alone?
Will she be able to control the creatures?

~Silver Sun

Adaptation

The Postal Service, Nothing Better-  Jude and Isabelle where in love, when suddenly Isabelle breaks up with him.  Hurt and confused, he continually tries to get back with her.  Isabelle reminds him of all of the things he had done to her, and that she doesn't want him back.  Not wanting to take no as an answer, Jude does something unexpected.  Will she take him back?  Or will he have to let their love die?



Jewel, Adrian-  In their youth Adrian and Sarah were best friends.  They did absolutely everything together, but one day Adrian just leaves town.  As years go by, and gossip flies, Sarah is surprised to see that Adrian had come back.  Every time she goes to see him though, his mother tells her no.  One day, Adrian is in a terrible accident.  Does Adrian survive, or do things take a turn for the worse in this small town?



Shiny Toy Guns, Le Disko- Bettina  is the girl everyone wants but is too afraid to talk to.  She is the hard punk daredevil of LA, and doesn't take crap from anybody.  When a small town cowboy, John, moves to town and is interested in her, he tries to get to know her.  Bettina attempts to frighten him away, but he can't help but be drawn to her like a moth to a flame.  Bettina tells John that she will never fall in love with him, but could she be wrong?  Will this small town cowboy be able to calm her feisty heart? 

~Silver Sun