The Matrix


Analyse the use of Micro-elements:-
Sound:-

• The sound in this clip is both diagetic an non-diagetic. It uses a non-diagetic backing track which is a hard-house/techno tune so very fitting to the action on screen. It keeps the audience excited throughout the scene which is good to make sure the audience are in the right mood for the action. There is another use of non-diagetic sound which switches throughout the clip. It is a man on a radio that you can hear in the background talking to those on screen. He is also seen speaking when the scene changes in the clip. This lets the audience know that he is in contact but not with those on scree.

• There is also the general realistic diagetic sound in the clip with some sounds exagerated. For example the sound of the blade cutting through the air and fighting sounds like punches.

Mise-en-scene

• There are many props used in this scene like vehicles but the most interesting prop that gives the audience a different feel is the samurai sword. Even though this is a historic item putting it in an action scene in the future makes is seem quite futuristic. All of the other props such as cars and trucks create the busy and crowded feel making it seem like a bad situation for an action scene. The use of the vehicles is also very good as the vehicles are all going the same way and are all in order as they should be this makes the futuristic characters stand out and look different.
• The setting of this scene is very neat and normal, this is good to make the characters stand out. It is set on a high way with a lot of cars and trucks all driving the right way and doing what they should do. This is good to make the characters look different. The high way is seen as a very dangerous place and this factor adds to the tension and risk that the futuristic characters are taking.
• The light used is very natural and kept realistic to ensure the world the characters are in is seen as the normal world.
• Make-up is used very little in this scene and only used to show cuts on faces.
• Costume is a big factor to how the audience sees the characters. The characters involved in this scene are futuristic and are shown like this by wearing long black cloaks and tight black leather. This helps them to stand out. The bad guys in this clip are dressed in very 'straight' and normal plain black suits, this creates the feel that normal is supposed to be bad.

Editing

• Editing is used in this scene to differ from 2 different places the place where the guy is on the radio and the high way. It uses a normal switch of scenes to show this and nothign different or special.

Camera angles/shots

• Camera angles are very important in thrillers because they give the audience good understanding of the happenings. There are many different shots and angles in this scene. One regularly used is the 'point of view' shot where you see what the character can see. This is used a few times when the character, Morepheus, is hanging on the edge of the lorry in the middle of the fight. It builds up tension with the audience because you feel in an impossible situation.
• A lot of slow motion is used in this scene along with panning shots in the slow motion. It is used when Morpheus jumps in the air and suddenly the shot slows down. This builds tension and excitement of what the outcome of this would be. It is also used when the two lorry's crash.
  

SFX

• SFX is used in this scene right at the end where the two lorry's meet head to head and crash. CGI and piro technics are used to simulate a real crash and it looks very realistic. This is very affective as it creates a dramatic and interesting end to the fighting.