Suicide squad;
Chemical bath scene 

The scene i have chosen to analyse is The chemical bath scene where Harleen quinzel jumps off the side of the ledge almost to prove her love and alliance with The Joker. I particularly like this scene because it shows how Harley and the joker are addicted to each other and it makes the audience root for them even though they are constantly seen as the bad guys or toxic for each other so when we see scenes like this where they're both so engrossed into each other, it gives the audience a thrilling sensation.

The scene begins with a close up/cut in of Harleen Quinzel's face which shows us confusion, she's not too sure if she wants to commit into what she's about to do, this creates sympathy and curiosity for the audience because were not completely sure what's she's about to do however, when she turns around the camera is in a high angle shot.
 This makes us feel like where in the Jokers perspective and shows us how Harleen might feel over powered or maybe even over protected and that in order for harleen to go through with jumping into the chemical bath, The joker almost has to get in her personal space to make her feel more welcome or safe.
When the joker asks her if she would 'die for' him, the camera angle is ever so slightly tipped where it looks like a low angle shot so she for a slight moment has the control and power when she answers 'yes' but then it swiftly changes into a wide angle shot and we can see how close the joker is to harleen and it intensifies the situation for the audience as we feel like something is about to happen.
The camera fixes onto the joker after he has says 'desire becomes surrender, surrender becomes power', whilst placing his hand on Harleens mouth and then taking it off, he emphasis the word power and the camera stays on him for a couple of seconds, almost portraying that he is and always will be in power.

As the joker is being repetitive with his word's like, 'say it, say it', he's relishing the fact he is basically getting worshipped by harleen. Not only do his words show he is in control, the camera is always on a low angle shot showing how dominate he is as well as his words. The background is also a key factor in this scene as we can mostly see harleen has a bright light behind her symbolising purity and cleanness whereas, the joker has just a dull, dark back which we would expect from a looked up to villain in his years.

The camera then gives us a close up of the chemical bath, foreshadowing what's to come, the camera then lifts up to harleen when she is about to fall back and drop. As Harleen falls backwards into the chemical bath, the camera lifts up once more onto the jokers face, lifting up behind him as it was a high angle shot. He could be seen as weak at this point because he has left harleen in the chemical bath as if he didn't care for her anymore
However, the music starts to pick up the tempo as the joker grunts and removes his jacket therefore jumping in to save 'the one the only, Harley Quinn'.


 

1 comment:

  1. Throughout the first paragraph you have identified most of the technical elements and labelled them accurately. You have also provided some insight in to how meaning is made, however more could be taken from the sequence.

    Try to draw more from the points. WHY does the darkness make the Joker dull etc...
    You must consider framing in more detail and how the tightness of a frame, or the positioning of camera can infer the emotions of the characters.

    E.g. the close up's of Harley connote the coersion she is under going and reflect her mental state. The angle of the camera on the Joker indicated a power balance in the room and then the wide shot is used to show how close to Harley he is, and how intimidating that could be.

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