Film research

Film Research - Callum Howard

Matrix

Action scenes start slow to build tension. People Wear black. Lower lighting in build up. Close up of guns to emphasise importance. Slow motion for tension. Dual wield guns for extra symbolic effect. Slow walking, stay calm for build up. Pans across wide angle of opponents. Dance music for constant tense beat. Using melee instead of guns to show power. Debris everywhere to show confusion and chaos. Stunts to show skill and power. Waits for opponent to reload (fights smart, strategy)

Pirates of the Caribbean

Character at a disadvantage in a fight backing away to show disadvantage and weakness. Weapons pointed at camera for POV of danger. Good character comes through in lack of wounding of either character. Conversation during the fight to get vital information across. Fight demonstrating skills of the characters. Not a fight to death, just a door, allows for comedy and takes the tension away and replaces it with just action. Wanting to stop fight without conclusion shows world weary nature of the character. Refusing to surrender despite impossible end shows inexperience or recklessness.

Hot Fuzz

White horse, classic symbol of valiant/heroic knight. 3 visible guns, emphasised symbol. Stops at red light, on the side of the law. Uses children to help take down the leaders (old people). Zoom in on faces to show shock. Similarity to conventions of westerns. Spits out toothpick to show disrespect to the authority’s. Quick cuts to show moment of intense action. Guns coming out of unlikely places, basket, car boot, priest robe, (comedy/action). All children wearing hoodies, a symbol of rebelliousness and against the older people. Waits for opponent to reload (fights smart, strategy). Uses environment to show smart character. Killing priest, sign of peace. Parody of martial arts films. Circle pan around main characters for effect. Dive in the air while firing guns, classic action move.