Edward Scissor Hands

Audience

By Siobhan and Emma

• Edward Scissorhands is a new era fairy-tale, with a slightly older target audience than usual. While this PG-13 rated comic flight of the imagination may be too dark for younger viewers.

• The Director of Edward Scissorhands had manipulated the classic horror genre – it gives us a mixture of horror, comedy, romance and fairytale – therefore appealing to a wide Target Audience including: horror fans; teenagers; romance fans; fairytale fans.

Why this film appeals to the target audience:

Having Johnny Depp as lead role, evidently suggest that the film is aimed at a teenager market (particularly female teenagers.) When the Grandma is telling the little girl the story of Edward Scissorhands, which suggests a fairytale theme, therefore appealing to Fairytale fans.

There are many conventions revealed throughout Edward Scissorhands which reveal associations with the genre of horror. For example: visual images associated with the stereotypical haunted house - cobwebs, huge closing door, odd gadgets. Furthermore, as the credits are rolling, eerie music is heard, the graphics (which are the names, white on black, making jagged scissor shapes. These stereotypes are what attract horror fans to go and see this movie.

Why this film may not appeal to younger children:

As for younger children, there are various reasons why this film may not appeal to them: The plot of the film may be too complex for them e.g. they may not understand Edward’s situation, and may only see him as a villain.

They may not pick up on the wit throughout the film.

Younger children may be highly fearful of Edward because of his appearance, and how he is different to everyone else.

Unlike teenagers, younger children may not relate to the happenings throughout this film: e.g. Edward being pressured into breaking into someone’s house, Kim being forced to chose between her boyfriend and Edward.

‘Edward Scissorhands’ portrays a community which is unable to cope with someone or something so different because of their lack of imagination and ability to cope. The use of: stereotypes; both conventions and unconventions; enigma; and themes creates a truly imaginative film, which successfully appeals to a wide Target Audience .

• Everyone can stand to learn the lesson; just because a person is different, it shouldn't make them an outcast. Everyone can be a useful member of society, even a man with metal bladed hands.