The Horde

Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Box Office: $688K

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: The Horde (La Horde) 
2. Director & Producer: Yannick Dahan, Benjamin Rocher
3. Release Date: February 10, 2010 
4. Film Genre: Action, Adventure, Suspense

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: When the police officers launch a raid on a local Nigerian criminal, they originally plan on avenging their friend's death. However, while on their mission on seeking revenge upon them, the police officers are attacked by zombies and are forced to work together with the criminals in order to escape the chaotically stricken building filled with the horde of the living dead craving to eat their flesh. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: Canted angles are the main type of camera angle that is used throughout the film, including the beginning where they reveal a dead body. The angle gives the viewer an  uncomfortable feeling in order to have them scared for what will happen next. Low key lighting and loud and fast paced music is used when the police raid the criminal's base to seek revenge on them for killing their friend. Eerie and dramatic music is used along with establishing shots for the scenes that show the world at battle with the dead. Bird's eye view is then used to show viewers the number of zombies there are surrounding the building the characters are in. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is suspenseful. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is apocalyptic and dark. 

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The film uses low gloomy music in the beginning of the film to add to the grief the characters were feeling towards the loss of their friend. When the rest of the world is shown battling against the dead with all sorts of explosions going on in the background as the characters are on the rooftop of the building, dramatic music is used to make the scene look more tragic. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities presented in the film are dramatizations, special effects, background noise, and color. 

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message of the film may be that taking revenge is never a good thing to do even though it seems like it should be done to get even with someone.

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film has a lot of weaknesses in communicating its message. 

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? I think the filmmakers wanted the audience to be taken by surprise when the zombies appeared out of nowhere since at first it seems like any ordinary action film. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film does not appeal to the viewer's emotion, it only startles them whenever the zombies would suddenly appear out of the shadows.

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: What happened outside of the building that caused the dead to rise while there was a dispute between the police and criminals? 

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would recommend this movie to my friends. It wasn't too bad for a foreign zombie film. 

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film an AP only because its central message really wasn't that clear. It was still an alright film despise the fact that it lacked the message.