POSTMODERNISM - EXAMPLES

The Simpsons 

Many say that The Simpsons is a postmodernism masterpiece. It utilizes many postmodernism techniques such as intertextuality, parody/pastiche and reflexivity. The show follows a non-linear narrative which creates some confusion over time and space. The Simpsons break the fourth wall multiple times when the characters look straight at the camera and talk. The show features parody throughout, there are multiple scenes that feature humorous imitations of a media text. 

The show reflects reflexivity by constantly breaking the fourth wall. In The Simpsons, the characters talk into the camera which is essentially breaking the fourth wall, The Simpsons mostly do this to bring humor into the show. It also has the characters pointing at the camera which shows that\t they know they are not real. 

Additionally, The Simpsons bring humor into the show by the use of intertextuality. The character Mr. Burns full name is Charles Montgomery Burns, a direct parody of Charles Foster Kane, the main character in the American film Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles. In the episode titled Rosebud, Mr. Burns’ manor where he lies dying with a snowball in his hand is a parody of the opening scenes of Citizen Kane. The flashback where Mr. Burns leaves his teddy bear behind to go along with a rich millionaire and leave his parents can be stacked against a similar scene where Charles Foster Kane is told to leave his parents for a richer life. This shows that the creators are very clearly borrowing and transforming other media texts throughout the production. 

The most obvious central element of postmodernism that The Simpsons reflects is pastiche/parody. Humor is created in the show through various ways; from the way the setting is laid out to the different elements of the film form. The references that the authors make to other media texts allows them to satirize and criticize American society and bring parody and pastiche into almost every episode. 

Deadpool (2016)

Deadpool is clearly a postmodern film. It breaks the fourth wall consistently and constantly mocks real life events, people and existing media products. The movie has a self-aware non-linear narrative which flashes between the past and present day until the audience is caught up with the story. It uses a number of various types of intertextual references including bricolage, pastiche and parodying existing media products.

In the first few minutes of the film, we see various intertextual references to other media texts. For example, a Hello Kitty lip balm flies through the air. Also, the film uses the example of the movie 127 Hours to compare it to Deadpool cutting of his hand. This is a clear use of bricolage. 

Deadpool is a major pastiche. In one of the scenes before cutting his hand off, Deadpool quotes 'you ever seen 127 Hours? Spoiler alert'. This is a clear imitation of a particular scene in the movie ‘127 Hours’. Throughout the film Deadpool continues to clearly imitate other superhero movies. From the beginning of the film we know that the film does not take itself seriously. In the opening credits, the production team is given nicknames. For example the producers are called ‘Asshats’, Tim Miller is a ‘Overpaid Tool,, Ryan Reynolds (the main character) is referred to as ‘God’s Perfect Idiot’.