Star Wars The Force Awakens | Millenium Flacon Chase Scene Analysis

From 1:15 - 4:40

https://youtu.be/8sarFZJl3h0 The clip begins with a panning wide shot to the left of the millennium falcon. This is the first time in the movie that the millennium falcon is shown so panning around the whole ship will of added a sense of nostalgia to many people watching the movie. this particular style shot has been included to show everyone that the ship is back in the franchise and it still works. it also may of been used to show how the falcon has aged over the 30 year gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. the camera then cuts to shots of the two characters Fin and Rey played by John Boyega and Daisy Ridley as the falcon moves. the camera cuts to mid close ups of the two to show how they react to the first movements of the falcon. there are then numerous tracking shots of the falcon to show its movement and tracking shots of people in Jakku who're reacting to Falcon ripping through building and objects in Jakku. The director JJ Abrams then includes ,any different shots of the two main characters to show that they have both never been in a ship like this before and how new all of this is on the whole. this shows we the audience that they have never been a in a situation like this and it almost wants us to cheer them on.
This scene has a clip of the falcon spinning upside down and then narrowly missing two tie fighters by inches. the camera pans around in a 360 degree angle which makes the audience almost want to turn their head as well like they're actually in the film. to back up this feature the camera then cut to a scene of BB-8 spinning around the ship as the camera tracks his movement by spinning around as well.
Whenever the camera cuts to Rey or Fins face its either a mid range or close up. this is so the audience can see only the important aspects of the characters as their facial expressions are what's key at this point in the movie. the camera shows their body language perfectly. a lot of the time when the camera is showing a close up shaky cam Is used to as it shows how the falcon is being bashed around a lot and withstanding damage. this adds more intensity to the scene.
Numerous extremely wide shots are used as it allows the director to tell a larger story through the chase itself. including extremely wide shots allows the falcon and the tie fighter to move around lot in an evasive manner without moving out of shot as well. It also gives the audience to look all around the shot as well because this scene in particular allows the audience to see remains of previous wars, AT-AT's and Star destroyers to fuel even more nostalgia for hardcore fans (like yourself Matthew).
The director ends the scene particularly well too as the camera tracks the movement of the falcon and then tilts up to show it flying into the peace that is space. this also lets the audience know that the chase is over.

1 comment:

  1. Following on from comments provided in class...

    The use of close ups inside the Falcon indicates several things for the audience. Firstly, it is an effective way to position us close to Rey and Finn, whose experiences we are sharing. The close framing also positions then in a tight space will little space for movements. The camera is effective in conveying the tension and fear they are feeling - they are in a tight spot, both in story and literally via the camera. The close up connotes and signifies the sense of entrapment they feel during the chase. Once the action is over the camera returns to a more distanced and natural position.

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