Vogler # 10

Summary:

 

             In the next section of the Writers Journey, Vogler puts the Journey to the test by explaining how its used in very successful and popular movies such as Titanic, The Lion King, Pulp Fiction, and The Full Monty. By examining these movies and the hero’s journey within each of them, we can understand more accurately why these movies are so famous and enjoyed by the audience.

            The most depth Vogler goes into is when explaining Titanic and the hero’s journey within it. It shocking to see that movies that we love have this storyline that was never recognized before until after reading the Writers Journey. Although Vogler emphasizes before going into the Titanic that the Journey is not a “formula” but a “guideline” and Titanic along with the other movies are a perfect example of this.

            Titanic doesn’t have the exact steps in the exact order, and the characters aren’t simply defined (except for the Villains such as Cal, which is actually a flaw that Vogler pointed out within the movie) and take place as multiple archetypes such as being both a hero and a mentor and mentor and a villain. Throughout the story the character unfold and go through different challenges and when looking deeper into the movie you can find a full trace of the writers journey.

            Vogler does the same with the Lion King, and shows how a Disney movie was transformed into a journey that children, teenagers, and adult can enjoy and relate to. Samba’s journey is one of growth and experiences that teach him how to stand up to the future and defend those that he loves most. Samba, along with the rest of the cast of the lion king (including Timon and Pumba as his allies and Rafiki and his father as his mentor), work together in order for the hero to develop and complete his quest.

            One thing I liked about the Lion King is that it is relatable to Hamlet, and Vogler was actually able to have an input on this film and suggested using Hamlet as a sort of guideline. Within the Film you can see touches of the Shakespearean play, but not too much that it is a replica. I like the idea that you can gain inspiration from past films, books, and plays in order to create a whole new story and idea, because all these stories are journeys who involve some sort of hero and therefore we can gain inspiration from all sorts of stories.

            Vogler goes into criticism about both these films and speaks about how some sections should have been switched around or eliminated and some characters should have been more developed. No story is perfect and it’s easy to take a look at someone else’s work and critique it. However, his insight will help us all take a better look at our own work and see what can be done in order to improve it.

 

Reaction:

 

            I really loved these sections of the Writers Journey because I was able to look more closely at two films that I love and see the reason why I was drawn to these films, it was because of how the created and structure to create a complete journey that I was content with and characters that I could relate to. These films had all the right elements of sadness, happiness, suspense and action more importantly it created stages that kept our attention and got us involved in the journey.

            I never saw Pulp Fiction or the Full Monty, so it was a difficult read for me because I didn’t fully understand the characters or the plot. However this made me want to see both those films and see if I can follow the journey and understand throughout. I’ll see it and remember, “hey this is where the Ordinary World is” or “here’s the innermost cave!”

            Overall I really enjoy analyzing movies that I thought just came from pure talent and not inspired by some sort of structure. I realize now that there is a structure to everything you write, or else it just comes out bad.

            I especially liked the tad bits of humor wrapped into intelligent insight that Vogler used throughout such as when he is describing how the Titanic is relatable to all audiences saying “Despite our foolish attention to superficial differences of birth, wealth, and status, we are all trapped by the absolutes in life, all alike to be subject to inevitable forces like gravity, fate, death and taxes.”

 

1. What makes Pulp Fiction’s Journey different from other hero’s Journey? Why do you think this has created such an effective film?
2. Do you think Titanic would have been less successful if it wasn’t based upon a love story?
3. Vogler discusses “Universal Fear”, why do you think that we as an audience are so attracted to seeing characters frightened and being scared ourselves?