Throughout
the extract, characters are portrayed stereotypically and atypically to connote
and celebrate different values and ideals. For instance, the representation of
age is predominantly unconventional, as it doesn’t follow the stereotype of
older people being weaker and calmer. This is shown through the elderly women
with a machine gun, who is represented as a powerful, and a threat to Nic.
Similarly, most of the adults fighting Nic are fairly old, and so their
uncharacteristic representation of using extensive violence perhaps celebrates
older people, but also creates humour as there counter hegemonical role is
unexpected. The only main stereotype of age is the hero being fairly young.
Gender is
also mainly utilised counter-stereotypically, as the genre stereotype of women
is to be weaker and less violent and less powerful than men, however, the
female antagonists the same violence and power as the male ones, therefore
celebrating and connoting gender equality. The fact that women are equal to men
also make the hero’s role harder and so his success even more impressive.
Again, the only stereotypical representation of gender lies in the hero – he is
male, strong and dominant – which are dominant features.
Race and
Nationality are not represented prominently – except for the fact that it is an
all-white cast, and this representation is stereotypical to the setting of a
rural English town. In addition the hero is English, which therefore is
patriotic in celebrating England – the country in which the film was produced.
The town is similarly stereotypical as it is quintessentially English – pubs,
schools and bunting – and the stereotype of the ‘stiff upper lip’ is
represented through the antagonists’ serious emotions and nuances such as the
‘one school child’ sign. Finally, the police are mainly represented
counter-stereotypically – although Danny Butterman at first fits the lazy,
sluggish stereotype – this is subverted by the counter stereotype of him and
Nic being powerful and successful in the conflict. This is suprising to the
audience and hybridizes action with comedy. The sidekick is also
stereotypically portrayed through his overweight build, making him more
endearing and vulnerable for the audience. Similarly, the hero is
stereotypically represented as powerful, male, calm and violent – thus
fulfilling the expectations of the target audience.
