NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
The moving image and film sequence deconstruction After watching 10 minutes of your select film sequence, carefully analyse a selection of varied camera shots and say what is significant about each one. Also indicate aspect of music, sound effects and special effects that contribute to the film sequence. The award winning sci-fi film Matrix Reloaded totally re-wrote the textbook for movie science fiction when it hit the screens in early 2003. Directed by the Wachowski brothers, The Matrix Reloaded created a compelling sequel to Enter The Matrix by combining the best elements of storytelling, action and computer and visual effects.
During the film you encounter some of the greatest special effects known the man making the film a cut above the rest. A memorable scene during The Matrix Reloaded is the prominent fight scene between the athletic Neo and his evil nemesis Agent Smith which truly showcases the immense sound, music and special effects within the film. I will be looking at these three ingredients and analyse how the Wachowski brothers use these three elements to create possibly the greatest sci-fi film of all time. The unforgettable scene starts of cleverly.
It shows Neos face in a close up with little sound or music in the background, the camera then quickly cuts to Agent Smiths shoes where the music rapidly increases in volume to add emphasis to his entrance. It shows his bottom half in a low angle shot. This makes the viewer feel vulnerable which adds even more emphasis to Agent Smiths intimidating entrance. The first thing you see are Agent Smiths shoes. They are incredibly shiny which is a sign of power. Even by not showing Agent Smiths face, already he seems very threatening which is the first of many clever techniques to Wachowski brothers use to put across different characters.
Alongside Agents Smiths shoes are crows. These add to his entrance by making him out to be scary. In some cases, crows are a sign of death. And to have Crows by Agent paints a picture of his personality which scares the audience more.
From Agent Smiths shoes it cuts back to Neo. It starts with a close up of his face to show his emotions but then zooms in closer, while the music raises in volume to show that he is worried. If it just had his emotions without the sound in the background it wouldnt have as much meaning, but by using sound to show emotions gives the audience a clearer understanding of what Neo is feeling. From Neo, it cuts back to Agent Smith. It shows him walking towards Neo in slow motion to give more build up to the actions that are about to take place. Instead of rushing over to Neo, by having him walk slowly and play it in slow motion, it adds dominance to his character.
Along with that, it also shows the crows once more. This time they are flying away from Agent Smith. It shows the audience he has no fear and that instead of him being intimidated by the birds, its the other way round. One more factor in adding build up and dominance to Agent Smiths character is the music played in the background.
Its an epic piece of music and is very high in volume; it adds authority to his character making him out to be even more exceptionally powerful. It then shows medium shots of both characters. The reason behind this being is to show both characters emotions. Neo looks intimidated by Agent Smiths presence, whereas Agent Smith seems very confident as he walks towards Neo. The music playing now adds tension between the two characters after showing their contrast in emotions.
It has one or two big beats which go with the movement, making it more interesting and enjoyable to watch. After building up the scene it cuts to a shot of the crew watching both characters. It shows close ups of each characters face, showing their worry for Neo. This was a good technique used by the Wachowski brothers.
Instead of focusing all of the attention of Neo and Agent Smith they show a different setting and different characters. This adds more build up to the scene by delaying it more. If it just went straight into the fight scene it wouldnt be a memorable and you wouldnt be as interested but here the build up creates interest, sustaining the audiences attention. During the next dialogue between Neo and Agent Smith, the music is calm, showing that nothing significant is happening. If the music was loud the dialogue would have no meaning, instead, by using a calm piece of music when the music used is loud with big beats it will have more importance. When Neo and Agent Smith are standing around 3 metres away from each other it shows a medium shot.
This makes it clear that these two characters are the main focus in this scene and all the attention is around them. As the dialogue continues, it switches from close ups of each characters when they talk to show what they are feeling as they exchange in conversation. The music played is still calm, but slowly building up, it suddenly stops when Agent Smith says but to give a teaser. It adds more build up and more tension between the two characters.
The teaser raises your hopes for the fighting to start but instead it doesnt, making you want to see the fight more and more. As Agent Smith continues to talk to Neo in a very formal manor, Agent Smith slowly walks closer towards Neo, invading his personal space. As he does so, the camera zooms in to show that this is a very important part of the scene as they are about to fight. As Agent Smith finishes his line, the first clone walks in.
The first second the clone is shown a fast beat is heard in the background to add impact to his entrance. Afterwards, creepy music is played as the clones form a circle around Neo, the reason for this is to show that Neo is nervous and also the fact there are now 8 Agents Smiths which is also extremely creepy. Instead of cutting from each clone to another, instead, the camera pivots around one spot as the clones enter from around the park. This is to show that they are circling Neo in a bid to not let him get away. Again, as before, the music stops when the real Agent Smith speaks again, this is add another teaser to the fight scene, to make you more intrigued and to show its about to happen.
The other reason is to show that it is the real Agent Smith talking, so without music his lines add more meaning. After Agent Smith We are he to take what you tried to take from us he thrusts his hand forward into Neos body. As he does so, the music hits a big beat as he does it, again as before, this is to add more emphasis to what is happening. After the big beat, the music that continues to play is very chilling, because what he is doing to Neo is very sinister.
As the process of trying to clone Neo into one his Agents, the camera switches to a point of view shot on Neos body. This is to show the audience what exactly is happening to him. Along with the point of view show, it switches from close ups of Neo and Agent Smiths face. It shows Agent Smiths anger and focus on Neo, whereas it shows Neos worry and distress which is a contrast between the two characters emotions. As the cloning technique is nearly done, a new track in the background fades in over the music that was playing. It is a dramatic piece of music which shows that Neo is breaking the cloning process.
While he does so, it now shows Agent Smiths distress in a close up and also shows Neos face in a close up to show how hard he is battling it. As he finally breaks it the music stops to add more impact to the fact he has broken it. After a short pause in the music, a fast paced piece of music is played in the background as the fighting starts. This type of music is played to show the fighting is fast paced and very energetic.
The first camera shot shown when the Agents are battling Neo is a mid-shot. The reason for this is to give you a general outlook on whats going on, the fight as just started so no one will be hurt so it doesnt need to show emotions just yet. The only difference in camera shots here are the different angles it shows the mid shots with. This is to the fighting is moving quickly, just like the camera angles. After the first few moments of the fighting a birds eye view shot is shown. The reason for this is to show how many Agents Neo is actually fighting because just from a normal mid-shot it would be hard to count due to the fast paced action.
After the birds eye view shot, it switches back to a mid shot to show the fast paced action in a better view. Next, two Agents grab hold of Neo, but to show his pure athleticism he backflip's out if it. As he does so, the music slows and the shot is played in slow motion. This is to shows what he is doing in the best way, and to add emphasis on how athletic he is. When he lands, after kicking two Agents in the face, the music speeds up again starting with a big beat highlighting the impact of the kick. If this part of the fight had been shown normally, it wouldnt have been as meaningful and wouldnt get over how good a fighter Neo actually is.
As the rapid action continues, the only shot used here is a mid-shot, except from a variety of different angles. This is to show the fighting in general and that nothing really memorable happens it, it just shows Neo to fight like gladiator as he continues to knock more and more Agent Smiths. As he punches and kicks the Agents, sound effects are used to give the punches and kicks more meaning, because with the dramatic music playing the background, you wouldnt be able to hear a real punch, so instead sound effects are used on the punches and kicks for two reasons. The first being to give them more impact and the second being to show the audience that he is connecting with the punches to show he is winning and is also a very skilled fighter.
When one of the Agents grabs Neo and attempt to choke him, it shows the first close up shot since the fight started. Ad it has been the only close up, it add mores meaning as...
Free research essays on topics related to: slow motion, fast paced, sci fi, agent smith, fight scene
Research essay sample on Agent Smith Fight Scene
