'The Dark Knight' analysis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OYBEquZ_j0
0.55 - 4.56

This sequence is taken from the opening of 'The Dark Knight'. Many factors of this film relates it to the Thriller genre and had many codes and conventions of this genre, including; masks, quiet eerie music, violence and fast-paced editing. It also creats a great enigma code, it makes us think 'Who are these people?' and 'Who is the Joker?'

It opens with an Establishing shot of Gotham City, as it slowly pans in as a window is broken. It cut-edits to a man with a gun, standing beside the broken window in a clown mask; we know imeddiatly that somethings wrong. A poigniant shot is a medium shot (which pans in slow) of a man from the back. He has his head down, bag on his sholder and a matching mask of the rest of this group. From this we wonder why he isn't with the other masked men, why he's not wearing it and who is he? The mask is facing the camera, and as the shot slowly zooms into it we realise its a very important prop and has some sort of 'hidden meaning' to do with 'clowns' or something simular, like 'joker' which realates to the main character. Another good shot is at 3:58. The Joker (but at this point we are still guessing he's just another robber) looks at the man in an almost comical kind of look, and from the slight position of the camera looking up to him, we assume he has authority. When it comes to action, mainly long-shots and medium-shots are used. This keeps us in loop with everything as we see everything happen as it goes alone. But when it comes to filming the characters, close-ups are used frequently. We get a closer look at the character, even though we cant see the face. The shots are smooth and flow nicely, evidence that dollys and tripods were used. In a way, a code and convention of hand held cameras in Thrillers were broken, no hand held shots are used which makes it have more of a natural flow.

The editing is faced paced and upbeat. It transacts naturally so a lot of the time cut-edits arn't noticed - this keeps us up with the action as it happens. The shots jump randomly from one scene to another, give us as an audience a real-life experience, like we're watching it as it happens. Each shot it quiet short, making it more faced paced - an editing effect often associated with Thrillers/Horrors etc. Although when it comes to important shots (like 1:24) instead of cutting to the mask straight from the medium-shot, it zooms slowly in towards it; showing us the importance of the mask.

The sound consists of quiet, eerie music in the background and occaisonall dialogue or effects. The music is slow, and climactic - it puts us on the edge of our seat and fits in with the mood created. Again, this aspect relates to the codes and conventions. At 1:39 it becomes more louder and uptempo, suggesting action is approaching. With dialogue, the most important part is how 'Joker' is said a few times in conversation. Again an enigma code is created, we wonder who the Joker is and why he "wears facepaint", like the masks to hide behind.

The mise-en-scene, in any film, is a very important aspect. Certain props and lighting can make or break your film. In 'The Dark Knight', the masks create the atmosphere needed - mystery, unease and curiosity. The mask appears in every shot, from which we understand the mask or the meaning behind it has an important factor to the rest of the film - we know its based on the Jokers face paint. The bright, comical colours stand out against the dark bland clothes and the dark mood and it brings a comical element to a very action-packed, thrilling sequence. Masks are props that people hide behind so they don't reviel their true selfs, which appliest to this. The lighting is mainly naturally sourced, it gives it a more realistic, everyday feel. The body language of the robbers are very intimidating, determinded and strong - which is why we're almost shocked when they all get killed.

Overall, all four Film elements work well towards making this sequence an amazing opening which will want you to watch on.