SSC Film Studies

Point Break Chase Scene - Analysis

In The Point Break chase scene, the music is very significant. It represents the start and end of the chase; it also sets the fast tempo that the chase scene needs to make it feel intense, the clip is like this because a fast paced chase is one of the factors that makes up a good chase scene. The first shot is of the two characters (Johnny and Warchild) both fighting each other, it is a mid shot at medium range. Warchild is on fire in this shot and this symbolises that he is the 'bad guy' in this scenario since fire implies danger and warning. The shot that follows this is a close up of Johnny as he is thrown into the front bonnet, a close up is used to focus onto Johnny ands show clearly the impact that was caused. The shot that follows is a long, wide shot of the two characters running as we see Warchild run past the camera and Johnny far away as he desperately tries to catch up to johnny, this long shot was deliberately used to display the distance between the two characters. In the same shot Johnny is also emerging from the smoke which is coming from the fire, this is the first of many obstacles that slow Johnny down, this becomes theme in the chase. As soon as the chase begins, both characters can be seen in shot but it is clear that Warchild (character getting chased) is considerably in the lead since he is closer to the camera position which is tracking backwards slowly, this makes the it appear as the characters are running towards the camera which therefore makes it feel like you have been incorporated within the chase and this increases the level on intensity in the clip. The shot that follows this then is a medium shot of both the characters crossing the road, the shot skips between the two of the as the are about to enter the alley way and properly begin the chase. Also within the first few seconds of the chase, there is an explosion in the petrol station, which makes the whole scene extremely dramatic. There are diegetic sounds and also an explosion of red flames that may signify the serious tone of the chase and the danger in the scene, this explosion then relates to Warchild and how he was on fire. The use of the hand held camera makes the screen shake, which therefore makes the scene feel more intense due to it feeling like the audience is seeing from the characters point of view. The hand held camera allows the audience to be close up tot the action. The audience can also hear the characters breathing, this adds a sense of realism and you are more aware of how tired the characters are by how heavily they are breathing throughout the chase. The frequent cuts in the scene speed the scene up since it makes it quick paced with the constant action, Constant action is another factor that is required to make a good chase scene and keep the audiences attention throughout. As well as the frequent cuts to create constant action, the camera is very close up to the characters to make the audience concentrated and focused on them. When the camera is close the audience is able to see the characters facial expressions and their emotions. At times there are wide shots in the clip that tend to be slightly obscured to give the feeling that the audience is watching the chase from another persons point of view, it almost feels like you're not meant to be watching what's occurring. The wide shots are used in the film also to be able to fit a lot of content into one shot and be able to see both the characters in the chase, this informs the audience of the distance between the two characters in the chase. The women's reaction when the characters ran through their homes made the film feel more realistic due to how scared they were, the settings of the back gardens they run through also look very realistic which again makes the scene more true to life. There is a sense of danger throughout the scene, Johnny is always the character who appears to be inferior and like he is going to get hurt, which eventually does happen at the end of the whole scene. At the part of the clip where the two characters have to jump at 2:20 and 2:27, this is where Warchild has a perfect landing and Johnny injures himself landing. Johnny getting injured was the final setback of many in the chase and ultimately ended it, throughout the entire chase Johnny always seemed like he was inferior to Warchild and never appeared to look like he was going to catch up to him. The music ends now to represent that the chase has ended and Warchild has gotten away, this is another way how the music is very significant as it informs you of key points by changing when they occur. At the time when both characters jump, the scene goes into slow motion to increase the intensity of the moment and display that this is the defining moment of the chase as Johnny can no longer run after Warchild. The camera is tracking the jump to make it feel like you are jumping with the characters and that you are also there, many features like this have been used during the entire chase to constantly keep the chase at a high intensity and keep the viewer entertained. Near the end of the chase the camera has an extreme close up on war child's eyes, this shows that Johnny recognises who it is that he has been chasing. The camera then focuses on the gun by having a close up on the gun and blurring out the background. It is evident that Johnny is pointing the gun towards Warchild but even so Warchild then continues to climb which shows that Warchild is aware Johnny does not want to shoot at him incase he kills him. In the final scene the camera has a glare from the low sun, this displays how the sun is setting as the day is coming to an end and this may be metaphorical to the chase coming to an end. The end of the film has a lot more colour and saturation; this brings the scene to life as this is the climax of the scene. 

Overall this scene used a lot of close up shots and also a lot of wide shots, there was a high speed and intensity throughout, the sound was mainly diegetic and there was also music during the entire chase which was very significant. The lighting was bright and vivid and the editing on the clip added to the pace and intensity of it even more so.