Intertextuality

Have you ever watched a movie/TV show and said "Hey, that reminds me of ______"?

Well, when you make connections between texts you are demonstrating...

Intertextuality: Layers of meaning; Theory about how we understand and interpret cultural texts. 

In other words: Connecting old and new world things in order to better understand the topic/object at hand.

There are different types of Intertextuality:


Horizontal Intertextuality: How connections between old and new cultural texts with a single genre create meaning


Vertical Intertextuality: How connections between old and new cultural texts across multiple genres create meaning


Tertiary Texts: Personal or public commentary on cultural texts that influence our understanding and interpretation of those texts

FOR EXAMPLE:

Let's look at the mega hit movie from 2007: TRANSFORMERS.

Transformers (2007) - Genre: Film

This film is about an alien species that comes to Earth and mankind finds themselves among a war between the rival races of the Autobots and Decepticons. This is an action film by Michael Bay.

What the trailer HERE!

Horizontal Intertextual Connections:

Alien vs. Predator (2004) - Genre: Film

This is a movie that is very similar to Transformers.  This films puts two alien species, Aliens and Predators, against one another to fight for power, after being discovered on planet Earth.  Almost the same circumstance occurs in the battle between Autobots and Decepticons in Transformers. Even the movie posters are similar. 

What the trailer HERE!

Independence Day (1996) - Genre: Film

In this film, Earth is being invaded by aliens who aim to destroy it. Military around the world must fight to protect our planet and survive.  This portrayal of human survival against a foreign enemy is very similar to Transformers. Some scenes involving military efforts in Transformers are very similar to those in Independence Day.

Watch the trailer HERE!

War of the Worlds (2005) - Genre: Film

Again, Earth is invaded by an alien species, much like Transformers. This movie shows one family fighting for survival, similar to how Shia Labeouf's character fights to protect his family and loved ones as well.

The dark scenes and even the loud noises made by the aliens in War of the Worlds is similar to the sights and sounds of the Decepticons in Transformers.

Watch the trailer HERE!

The Island (2005) - Genre: Film

One of the biggest controversies about Transformers is the director's "reuse" of some of his recycled footage.  Transformer's director, Michael Bay, also created a movie called The Island a few years prior to Transformers.  People quickly began to see similar scenes between both of these movies.  The images below show how a car crash scene in The Island is almost identical to a fight scene between Optimus Prime and Megatron. It even appears he used the same images.

The Island car crash scene.

Fight scene in Transformers.

Watch the  trailer  HERE!

Vertical Intertextual Connections:

Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots (1960's to present)- Genre: Toys

Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots are a toy that originated in the 1960's, but are also still popular today.  This toy places two opposing robots against one another to fight for a winner.  Transformers has always reminded me of this game that I use to play when I was little.  Seeing Transformers made the childhood game come alive.

Watch the 1960's commercial HERE!

GoBots (1980's) - Genre: Television Show

GoBots is a 1980's telvision show that is so similar to Transformers, some people think they are interchangable.  GoBots features different robots that transform from cars, trucks, and other forms of transportation.  Transformers do the same thing.  The GoBots are also very similar to the Autobots in Transformers, because they are 'good guys' who do not want to cause harm to Earth. When I first learned about Transformers, I thought the GoBots were just being renamed. 

Watch the 1980's commercial HERE!

Space - Genre: Science/Geography

A large chunk of Transformers is spent explaining the origin of the Autobots/Decepticons: Space. This movie always reminds me of our solar system and the possible life that exists within it.  Although Transformers is a fictional piece, it reminds me of scientists who look for extra terrestrial life and what life would be like in space.

The Holy Bible - Genre: Literature

In Revelations, the Bible talks of the world coming to an end; ending in fire and ruins.  Scenes of ruined cities around the world where Decepticons have invaded reference this biblical story.  In Transformers, many believe the existence of these aliens are inferring the beginning of the end of the world, much like the Bible's story of an Anti Christ coming to destroy Earth and the inevitable apocalypse.

Public Tertiary Texts:

Claudia Puig - Film Critic, USA Today

Read the entire critique HERE!

"Transformers will appeal to the kid in all of us. Yes, it's loud, explosive, and silly, but it also perfectly embodies the concept of a summer blockbuster with it's simple good-guys-vs-bad-guys plot, cheeky humor and special effects."

Owen  Gleiberman - Film Critic,  Entertainment Weekly

Read the entire critique  HERE!
"Bay, at heart, isn't a fantasist, he's a literal-minded maestro of demolition. But then, that serves Transformers well during it's climax  , a  spectacular clash of the heavy metal titans, and a primal reminder of why boys love their toys."

Private Tertiary Texts:
Chesi Cana (@chesicana) via Twitter

"I think Transformers will always be the coolest move evarrr!"

All these things above, no matter their genre, helped me make sense of the movie Transformers.  Through all these associations, I could better understand and relate to the movie.

All through the use of INTERTEXTUALITY.