After releasing the single that has caught lots of attention (both positive and negative), the video for Lady GaGa’s Born This Way was finally released last February 28. Directed by Nick Knight, the video gives the viewer lots of goo (yes, really) and the artistry that has caused GaGa (and her videos) to be the ‘talk of the town’ after every release.
The introduction basically involves around G.O.A.T (which stands for Government Owned Alien Territory) and the ‘declaration’ of the Manifesto of Mother Monster. Mother Monster basically envisioned a world where no prejudice exists (and beings with pointy shoulders).
Mother Monster gives birth to a race who are ‘good’ (for a lack of a better term). However, the evil race also gets born in the process. This leads GaGa to say “How can I protect something so perfect without evil?” So the dancing sequence begins . . . (If you are wondering, there is indeed tons of pop culture references in the video. You may want to check out the list that MTV made)
The ‘Good’ GaGa surrounded by circles of lotus flowers.
On the other side, this is the ‘Bad’ GaGa paying ‘homage’ to Frank Miller’s ‘Sin City’ with the background and that machine gun.
GaGa’s dancing in the video is not exactly that pleasing to the senses just like her performance in the recently held Grammy’s. Some may call it stiff. Some may call it just fine. However, I have to say that the dance is actually a refreshing sight. It may not match the caliber of the dance sequence in ‘Bad Romance’ but it definitely does suffice.
Some scenes do not actually provide continuity to the plot. Rather, aesthetics seem to be the name of the game especially in the scenes with the skeleton duo that resemble Zombie Boy and the sequence involving those heads which are seen inside jars.
Here comes the disgusting (this can be an understatement. It is entirely your call) part. GaGa and her dancers suddenly had this idea to play with goo and have some fun with it. This scene can make you sick without a doubt.
The final scene. Yes, that final scene with the white gloves and that lone tear while facing the camera which eventually leads to people seeing the gap-toothed version of GaGa. These two elements in the final moments of the plot obviously reference the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson and the Queen of Pop who is Madonna.
Discussion can go on and on whether GaGa is simply paying her respects to the two icons in Pop or declaring that she belongs with them. Two things are crystal clear though: references have been made and discussions about the video will go on for a long time.
Before I go on to what people say are the ‘bad stuff’ of the video, I have to give credit first to Nick Knight for providing a great visual accompaniment to GaGa’s latest single. No product placements can be seen in the video which is a huge plus already in itself. Great cinematic techniques were also used with the first scene being the best example of this.
Now, onto the supposedly ‘bad stuff.’ People have said that there is an occurrence of ‘imagery (or symbolism) overload’ in the video. People may also initially deem the video to be a ‘huge mess.’
Sadly, this is all wrong. Born This Way is not about satisfying the senses right away. It requires a deep sense of understanding for the viewer to fully appreciate what is going on in the video.
GaGa is not your ordinary pop star. She pushes the limits that have been already set. She takes those limits into a whole new level – stepping things up by a notch every time. She makes people think. In short, she is different from most, if not all, of the pop stars in recent memory.
Casual fans may find a problem with the way GaGa treats her ‘Little Monsters.’ All the stuff that has been going on – the ‘paw-raising’, the Manifesto of the Mother Monster, et al. – can end up alienating the fan base. There is no denying, however, that GaGa does think of the fans. Some people may just find her efforts to be … over-the-top.
People may also criticize the video for going against its ‘vibe.’ If Born This Way is supposedly an anthem that celebrates life, equality, and gender, then why is the video presenting dark imagery that may give a freakish experience for the viewer?
This new moment of GaGa’s may not end up as her best moment ever but she did what other pop stars could not. Through this video, GaGa made people think. People actually give a damn on those symbols. It is all about the charisma and GaGa did it the right way. The track may have been involved in the so-called ‘Madonna-gate’ (due to similarities with Madonna’s ‘Express Yourself’) but the video is undoubtedly an original.
GaGa, you have done a great video that is open to lots of interpretations. Good job. Pop is indeed becoming a greater force this 2011.
