Saw and 28 Days later essay

Both films 28 days later and Saw are two horror films, however one is a mainstream Hollywood production whilst the other is a independent production. Saw is the mainstream production , this is not very easily defined as both films look to be mainstream; Saw with its special effects and 28 days later with its footage of a quite and deserted London. However with the help of financial backing and production, distribution and exhibition Saw is the typical Hollywood film, with the use of big stars such as ‘Danny Glover’ whilst 28 days later has no stars who feature in the film. Hence first blood to Saw. The difference between the films can be detected through the camera work and angles. Saw the mainstream production appears to be more over the top and flamboyant whilst exaggerating everything, where as 28 days later is more selective of the shot used; giving the film an artistic feeling. An example of this is when we see a low angle shot of a blacked out shadow running up and over a car. Both films are very successful and I feel the success has come very differently to both films. For instance I feel that Saw gained reputation of being a unconventional physco killer film whilst making references to others such as ‘The Texas chainsaw massacre’, which added an element of curiosity which tempted audiences to view the film. 28 days later I feel gained much of its reputation from being a British horror film whilst keeping its’ artistic formula which is traditional of an independent film to do.