DYM - Barthes' 5 codes

0:00 - 4:26



Enigma Code
Who's speaking? Why does he need to focus? Who is the main protaganist? Is the guy we're following the good guy or the bad guy? Why do Lightning and Hicks want to win so badly? Why does Lightning show off so much? What's the significance of the lightning bolt sticker?

Action Code
At the beginning, Lightning is talking to himself about focussing for the big race. Of course, we don't know he's a racing car so this creates a bit of suspense as we listen to him speaking. Then he comes out and we see that he's a race car. But then we are taken to the race, where Lightning is rapidly gaining ground on the lead and the audience doesn't know whether he's going to win or not. However, this is the only bit of information that is not shown to the audience, much of the opening suspense and questions are answered by the two presenters, who explain all about the Pistol Cup and the 3 top racers.

Semiotic Code
Initially, during Lightning's monologue, we see the scene cut to race cars flashing by, which suggests that this film is based around racing, as opposed to something rather more mundane. When we are introduced to Lightning, we are given the idea almost immediately that he is flashy, arrogant and confident, garnered from his constant smirk and himself showing off his lightning sticker and revving his engine. He also then performs his catchphrase, "Ktch-ow", which mimics the sound of a car passing by at high speed, as well as flashing his lightning bolt, implying that he's a very fast race car. The huge amount of cheering and camera flashes going off suggest that he is famous, which is enforced by the fact that he is shown on the big screen. Despite his confidence, Lightning IS an excellent racer, as he is shown to be easily weaving in and around his fellow competitors.

However, Chick Hicks, the number 2 racer, is shown to be selfish and greedy, who doesn't care about the rules as he ruthlessly performs a PIT manoeuvre on another racer, causing him to spin out of control as Chick laughs. We get the feeling that he is this film's antagonist, or at least one of them.

Cultural Code
Beginning part has the Walt Disney and Pixar logo. All the characters are anthropomorphic cars (or mobile homes in some cases), some of which are readily recognisable, others of which are somewhat unknown, but take their designs from many well known cars. In addition, the opening is based around the "Piston Cup", which references real life endurance racing. The huge mass of cars in the stands shows that this is an event that everyone is interested in.

Symbolic Code
Symbolically, Lightning's arrogance is an aspect of his personality that is predictably going to be torn down and reformed, it foreshadows the events of the film. In addition, Chick's greediness is also predictably going to be his downfall, his hubris, that he gets what he wants at the cost of everything else.