Friday, November 2, 2012

The Fast and Furious (2001)



The Fast and Furious (2001) - Analysis of the race

When we first see the long shot of the cars we are able to see that it is a modern film because the cars all look really modern. The engines going off in the background is like a soundtrack because we hear the engines starting but we cannot see the cars yet, this creates excitement and introduces us to car scene. The close-up shot behind the cars is effective as we are able to see fire coming out of it which exemplifies that their is going to be fast action but also shows they are furious pumping adrenaline from audience, hence the title of the film ‘the fast and furious’. We also get to see the people behind cheering and they all appear young and dressed in summery clothes; this highlights the film may be aimed at younger adults.
When the race is about to begin, there are quick cutaways of all the people starting the car up which adds to the fierceness and aggression which creates tension as we are drawn to the action of who is going to win the race. The animation of the inside of the car engine almost creates the sense that it is a computer game and illustrates that its going to be extremely fast action, just like a car computer game young adults might play. This adds further effect which is extremely visual and all the machinery with bright orange/yellow/red colours exemplify the flames, adding hype to the audience. The white screen at the end creates the extreme burning effect of the flames, creating further flow of emotions and adrenaline in audience watching. The low angle of the car starting up empathises the heightening speed which shows aggression. This is further illustrated of the shot inside the car, when we have a stationary shot so it makes us feel less dizzy from all their fast actions but enables us to see facial expressions. Their eyes are mostly squinting and their full focus is on the front window, exemplifying the lust for wanting to win, drawing us even close to the action.
  The track of the cars at first stays still and we feel an intimate connection with one of the characters we are not only able to see his facial expressions but from the action in the background whizzing past, we are able to establish that the speed of the cars is extremely fast. Then the camera tracks in front of all the cars so we are able to see all the cars and establish wh is winning or who is ahead of the game, keeping us connected. When we reach to the first person, the camera once again goes inside his car and so we are able to see clearly how he is feeling, drawing us closer to the important characters of the film. He looks behind his shoulder which adds tension that the other cars may be catching up behind him and keeps us on the edge of our seats. The camera shot is of a close-up shot of him so we see his face but also see that he is only holding the steering wheel with one hand. This makes him appear more superior and his muscle arm makes him appear like to have more strength so suggests that he might win race.
  The track of the camera is at a low angle which is another way to indicate the low speed and creates an effect that they are whizzing past everything when they pass by. When the track is behind the car, this engages audience as we feel part of the action and following closely behind the car ourselves. When the camera is at the front and all the cars go past we are able to see the extreme dander and this is further illustrated with the close-up shot of their speed going up to the maximum.
  The ripple effect creates a blurry effect which again empathises the speed but also could be the state of mind of the characters. The non-diegetic sound of the whizzing past as they go by further adds tension to the scene and reaches tot the climax of us waning to know who is going to win.

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