Course Assignment: Film Analysis of Menace II Society

Context

This film analysis essay was composed for American Gangsters, an Elon course that I took during summer of 2020. The course centered around the viewing and critical analysis of four films: The Godfather, Goodfellas, Menace II Society, and The Roaring Twenties. I wrote a film analysis for each movie, but I believe Menace II Society was the most effective in terms of real-world applicability and use of supporting examples for each argument. I structured the analysis around a predominant theme within the film, and provided closer analysis of this theme throughout multiple scenes. Then, I awarded a score (out of 5 stars) to the film. I envisioned this film analysis being posted to Rotten Tomatoes, as it provided an overall score and close interpretation into the main themes and ideas present within the plot. However, it may not be suitable for just anyone who's considering watching it, since my writing contains multiple spoilers.

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Rhetorical Strategies

The central strategies within my film analysis are logic and argumentation. I needed to persuade my audience to share my viewpoint of the film, which I executed through the analysis of overarching themes and specific scenes. It became clear by the final credits that the Watts Hood of Los Angeles, the primary setting of the film, was to blame for high levels of crime, drugs, and gang violence. The characters who grew up in this environment were negatively disadvantaged. These observations became my central argument, which I supported through the analysis of character behaviors/actions and dialogue, as well as elements of the Hood setting. I implemented logic through a direct quote, for example, then added argumentation by unpacking the quote’s purpose in the scene as well as within the film’s larger themes. 

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The final section of my film analysis involved awarding a score (out of five stars) to Menace II Society. My score was a four, and providing a necessary explanation allowed me to insert my limited credibility as a viewer (and now interpreter) of the film. I summarized my main arguments again, but I also provided a rationale for why the film did not receive the highest score possible. This rationale allowed me to introduce other arguments about the film’s level of effectiveness and character development. Thus, I could wrap up my film analysis with new ideas and show how they connected to broader themes occurring across the 21st century.

 

Reflection

I am proud of this film analysis in the ways it provides a balance of onscreen interpretation and real-life socio political connections. I have composed similar analyses before, and it took time to strike this balance correctly within my writing. Nevertheless, I would make certain changes to this text today. Providing more examples from the film would have demonstrated more credibility within my arguments, but I needed to stick to a page limit. I’d be curious to see how I can play with the examples and observations I’ve already written in order to add further analysis. I might also consider adding a counterargument to my claims that’s supported by a scholarly source or two, demonstrating consideration of opposing views towards my own.