1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: MOK PO YI
STUDENT ID NO: 0318207
FILMS SELECTED: MONSTER HOUSE & AS ABOVE SO BELOW
WORD COUNT: 841
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
LECTURER: CASSANDRA WIJESURIA
SUBMISSION DATE: 5TH
DECEMBER 2014
2. Fear is one of the most common theme in movies. In fact, fear in movies hardly
touches us in life. Therefore, horror movie can temporarily create an emotional
experience without devastating consequences. There is no doubt that a horror movie
is terrifying yet exciting while some of them have a certain moral value which
impressed us much. In fact, I am timid enough but I would like to challenge myself for
watching extremely horrible horror movies. Therefore, I have picked two of my
favourite horror movies to make a comparative essay which is ‘As above so below’
and ‘Monster house’.
These two movies are horror movie and meanwhile, they are adventure movie as
well. ‘As above so below’ is all about treasure hunting while ‘Monster house’ is a kid
adventure horror animation movie. Do not judge that ‘Monster house’ was really
freaking scary when I was just a kid at the year of 2006. In the movie ‘As above so
below’, the main character – Scarlett brings along her friends which is George, Bobby,
Pappilon, Souxie and Zed. They went into Paris’s mystery underground which believe
that the place has countless dead body and spirits, just to discover the truth – the
stone which can turn everything into gold and it able to extend human’s lifespan.
Besides, in ‘ Monster house’, there are three kids who led by DJ (the main character)
to check out the strange and creepy house and start their adventure.
Both main character of the movie are really attracting me from their personality.
Scarlett is the main character in ‘ As above so below’ while DJ is the main lead of
‘ Monster house’ Indeed, they both have a brave heart and strong curiosity to
discover the truth. Scarlett has done so much research based on the philosopher’s
stone just for knowing does it exist. She went a lot of dangerous places like Iran and
Turkish (as mention in the movie) just to find out the evidences and hints for her
treasure hunt. Scarlett is the one who lead the group to walk in the dark with a lot of
fears. Moreover, DJ is a brave kid as well because he leads his fellow friends to find
out the truth of the ‘ Monster house’ and start their adventure. They had fully ready
for their adventure, such as observing the house by using telescope for many days
and nights, prepare weapons and etc. Dj is the one who plans the adventure.
Never bow down in front of life obstacles. This is what I have learnt from the main
characters. Both of them have strong determination on discovering the truth. “It is
worth to find the truth.” said by Scarlett in the movie. They never give up for their
faiths to get to know the truth. Despite the fact of people criticized her thinking and
actions are ridiculous, even her best friend as well as ex lover – George criticized her
at first of the movie, she never gives up on her beliefs to carry out her aspirations.
Furthermore, although the monster house is dangerous yet frightening as it can
swallow human and the house owner is creepy enough but DJ never gives up on his
strong curiosity and wills to get into the house. In spite of he was ignored by his
parents when he is telling the story to them and get arrested by cops due to
vandalism (they are attacking the house), he still believe his thoughts are right and
undoubtable.
3. On the other hand, the spirits, ghost and monster in these horror movies are not
cheap devil imagery as ordinary horror movies because they are different. The scary
creatures in ‘As above so below’ appear with their reasons. Most of them are the on
who sacrificed in some incidents and they appear for revenge on the person in
Scarlett’s adventure group who was the survivor. In addition, the spirit in ‘Monster
house’ was the house owner’s beloved wife who passed away very long time ago.
She was a giant and always get bullied by crowds but the house owner fell in love
with her so he saved her from the freak show and lived together afterwards. She
died because she was trying to protect herself and her house then she accidentally
fell into a big hole then died. All I can see from the ‘ monster house’ is the spirit of
self protecting from social bullying and love instead of creepy horrible creatures.
In a nutshell, the most impressing part of these movies is the unique story which
really inspire me a lot with the moral values behind the stories. ‘ As above so below’
teaches us to apologize for our fault and there is never too late to know your wrong
and more. ‘Monster house’ inspired me about love between the house owner and
the giant. Love is everything. Both movies have frightening part yet have touching
part which really attracting people to watch it again. I never regret on spending
money to watch both on-screen.
Citation
Kenan, G. (Director), & Rapke J. (Producer). (2006) Monster House [motion picture].
United States: Columbia Pictures
Dowdle, J.E. (Director), & Aiello, P. (Producer). (2014) As above so below [motion
picture]. United States:Legendary Pictures
