Casino Royale
Casino Royale –one of the James Bond films- is an action
Thriller. It’s about how 007 defeats a weapon dealer in a game of poker facing
many challenges on the way. Certain style conventions are used to carry out the
thriller genre in this film.
Narrative: The
film is based around crime which you can tell from the dialogue and props at
the beginning of the film. When Bond is talking to a man he asks how he dies
and a clip shown to display this. He then kills the man with a gun giving the
audience the idea that the story is based around crime. You can tell the story
revolves around money as the title graphics show pictures of casinos including
gambling. The viewers also know it will be a spy story as James Bond himself is
a spy but also the beginning is filmed in black and white which is style
convention in spy themes. One of the first thing that happens is Bond
eliminates the bad guy which it makes it more interesting as to what could lead
one from that.
Title
graphics/sequence: The graphics had symbols of clubs, hearts, spades and
diamonds from playing cards throughout the titles linking to the gambling theme
at the casino. Emphasising how money has a big part to play in the film. The
words are small white and bold which stand out from the darker background
colours. It implies the films will be serious as they are in a sharp font. They
are also modern representing that the film will be modern as James Bond has all
the latest gadgets and flash cars. The main colours in the title sequences are
black and red –which are also found on the symbols on playing cards- which
represent blood, evil and darkness. This then relates to the thriller genre of
the film as guns produce blood and show the dark side to a person.
Sound and lighting:
The music is used before intense scenes to key in dramatic moments getting the
viewer interested and hinting at what is about to come next. Quite a few gun
shots are heard standing out above the background noise suggesting they play a
very important role in film. Heavy breathing is also heard suggesting fear or
nervousness about past or future action relating to the thriller genre. Silence
is the background is noticed making it more mysterious as the viewer is waiting
for the actor’s reaction on the unfolding events. Low key lighting is used
frequently so less colours is used focusing more attention on the action and
dialogue as this moves the story along. The bathroom scene where Bond kills a
spy is bleached out to show it is a flashback.
Characterisation:
James Bond is physically fit as he has to do a lot of running, moving and
fighting, he has to keep up with his enemies as the storylines is always
unfolding. He has a clear voice with a slight edge to it showing he has
authority and is in control which is a running theme for 007 characters. Suits
are used a lot continually to show importance and how the person has power over
other people as you look smart. He carries around a gun to show he has a higher
status and it represents being serious by having important duties to carry out.
The top button is undone on the suit to show he is always busy and on the move.
The main theme throughout the film is action consisting of fighting and killing
which is an aspect of the thriller genre. A leather hat and gloves are worn
suggesting the man is a villain.
Cinematography:
Close up shots are used on the Villain in the lift to show the emotion in his
eyes. Point of view shots are used in the opening sequence so you can a fell
from the character and how they view things influencing their actions. When the
villain looks in the mirror a whip pan is used to move round to James Bond
behind, making the image burry. This reflects what he is thinking as his mind
working out why he is there and what he has to say. Low angle shots are used to
show the villain walking giving him authority of the other characters. Medium
close ups are used so the audience can see the costumes and props setting the
scene which is important in thrillers as there could be little hints at what is
about to happen or what has happened, being a significant part of the story.
Jump cuts are often used to edit parts of scenes together to show how fast the
action is moving.
Themes: Crime
fighter is a genre displayed in the opening scene. This is included in the
thriller genre as the plots usually revolve around crime and James Bond is no
exception. Villain is another theme as every thriller needs one otherwise there
would be no one for the good guy to fight against. Law is also another film as
killing someone and hiding the evidence is breaking the law.
No comments:
Post a Comment