The thriller that I chose to analyse was the 2010 hit, Inception. The film is about new technology which allows people to enter the mind through dreams. The film starts with dramatic, strong bassed music which builds tension and confusion for the viewers. The film the immediately cuts to the protagonist lying face down on the shore but before hand having a strong establishing shots of the rough and noisy sea. The first close up of the protagonists face is shown and is a canted angle shot. In the distance there are small children playing in the sand, this creates confusion for the viewer as the two things don’t go together, they are then shown running off in the distance. The Protagonist then blacks out and the scene then continues to show a random unknown character finding him on the beach. The Protagonist is shown in dull and trampy looking clothes in contrast to the high class soldier looking character. A low angle shot is evident to show to the viewers that the soldier has a higher status.
The scene is then cut showing the protagonist being dragged into the room, this creates stress for the viewers as they still don’t actually know who or what the protagonist is trying to do or his aim. The location is also a mystery so this allows the viewers to ask questions and slowly feel further and further dragged into the storyline. The dramatic low level non diegetic bassy music is still being played while the close up of the protagonist eating supper. The character is hunched over the bowl as though he has not had food for awhile, which also leads to more unanswered questions. The room in which the protagonist and the new and another unknown character is released, is dull but beautiful at the same time. Low lighting with a huge table in the middle, this shows that who ever owns the house is a much higher class than the protagonist. There is then a close up of the spinning top, which builds tension as the viewers are waiting for the moment in which it topples over, but never does so.
The next scene takes place, and it shows the protagonist in another scene but the same location. He is with two new completely different characters, and all the characters in this scene are wearing smart suits all showing they are they same status. The protagonist then starts to talk, and the cuts and speed of the cuts quicken. Over the shoulder and conversation shots are used effectively to make the viewers feel more comfortable which also makes it more natural to watch, A high angle shot is also used in this scene to show that the protagonist is more in control than any other character in the scene. The room then starts shaking which builds tension for the viewers, the two main characters look as though they are involved. There is then a close up of the protagonists ticking watch, where time is slowed down, also creating tension. The scene then changes dramatically again into a different location but with all the same characters as before. The Location is in a random hotel room or flat where another random character is released. There are diegetic sound effects used to create the bombing and shot gun noises. The music then becomes more dramatic as the unknown characters seek the main characters around the room.
The first part of the film is so confusing that it makes the viewer ask so many questions and are then glued to want to carry on watching the film. The Microelements are used to create this interesting and tension building confusion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4
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