The creation of humor and truth in animation in “Hoodwinked”

Abstract

After Toy Story (1995) animations have become increasingly present in the cinema. What would be a production aimed at children now attracts more and more adults. In some of them, the way the narrative is organized and the disputes and associations approach matters of the adult world more explicitly. Therefore, we need to look at animations beyond that which they apparently are: stories for children. The object of analysis of this article is the computer-animated film Hoodwinked! (2005/2006). This animation reaches back to the story immortalised by the Brothers Grimm and Perrault in a very non-conventional version when compared to the children’s classic, for the main characters (Little Red Riding Hood, Big Bad Wolf, Woodcutter and Grandmother) retell the tale from their own perspective. The story of the little girl who walks through the woods in a red cape and hood acquires elements which turn it into a comedy with elements of thriller, action and spy films. The objective of this article is to observe how processes of intertextuality and interdiscursivity build up the effects of humour and truth, offering the famous story more than just a version for the cinema. Inside the scope of this article, we will try to analyse the trailer of Hoodwinked! and the chapter in which the Grandmother presents her version of the story.