Location: Flobots - Handlebars

Discussion: Handlebars: AnalysisReported This is a featured thread

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NanditaSeshadri
Handlebars: Analysis
Apr 1 2010, 10:20 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 1 2010, 10:20 PM EDT
Theme: Seems to be focussed on "CHOICES" because human beings have the potential to be either destructive or creative. All one has to do is choose. This is shown by the sign that the two bikers see in the beginning, one having a dove (symbolising peace) and the other having a corporate symbol.
The video also addresses "FREEDOM", which is shown in the lyrics: "I can ride my bikes with no handlebars" and another point that the video makes is "THINKING BIG" - The video starts off with "I can ride my bikes with no handlebars" and then proceeds to greater things such as "I can lead the nation with a microphone" and "I can end the planet in a holocaust". However, it ends at its starting point "I can ride my bikes with no handlebars" to remind us that no matter how big we are, we must never lose sight of what we started off as.
Symbolism: Several times in the video, the dove as a symbol is destroyed. Once an actual dove is killed by an Eagle (the bird of prey), as another Eagle (the fighter jet) flies overhead. The second time, a wrecking ball demolishes a wall with the dove painted on it which is located next to a billboard displaying the corporate symbol.
Genre codes: This music video is Rap rock. It follows the rock codes by taking a low angle shot the armored man, presenting his authority. It also presents the good guy as one of us, by using eye-level shots.
Star persona: The corporate friend is shown to have a dictator-like position of power, while the other friend has become a radical against him.
Usually, in a rap video, the radical friend would have been expected to change his friend and both would have fought together. However, the rebellious friend is shot and killed, along with all of the other followers, in front of the shocked corporate friend. Hence, this music video shows a sense of reality, by being different. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Keyword tags: Animation Flobots Handlebars

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BTEC Stop motion animation production Animation Analysis
Flobots - Handlebars What ideologies are encoded in mainstream animations? Refer to examples in your answer. Can animation appeal to an older audience? Refer to at least two examples in your answer.
300 Mikan Sakura from Gakuen Alice.