The Multiple Spider-People - An analysis of playfulness in intermedial references found in the different genres of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Abstract

This research aims to answer the following research question: How does the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse demonstrate playfulness in its intermedial references in order to refer to various genres of animation? The research is divided into the following three sub-questions: In what way does Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse fall into the category animated film? Which distinct genres are presented in the film? And how do these genres demonstrate playfulness in the intermedial references they make? In order to answer these questions, this research will analyse the different characteristics of genres that are presented in the film. This is done by outlining genre theory and then applying it to the case study. It is a textual analysis and makes use of shot protocols to visualise the genre aspects of the film. Spider-Man is a popular icon in the current pop-culture world, and due to this it is interesting to take an analytical approach to the first feature film about this pop-icon. The genres comics, anime, cartoons and film noir are outlined and discussed and the concepts of playfulness and intermedial references are used to provide a critical insight into the analysis of these genres.