The World Is Not Enough Essays

The World Is Not Enough Essays The World Is Not Enough Essay The World Is Not Enough Essay James Bond films have a completely individual genre, their ongoing action style is different from any others of its kind. The Bond films are a very popular mainly British icon, although they do hold a global appeal. They are all made by MGM, holding a huge budget, which enables its ongoing success. Therefore, the director will try to meet the demands of the huge audience who have come to expect certain things from the film such as its iconography, eg. the contrast between good and evil characters, the constant sense of danger and the race against time, etc. The money supporting this Blockbuster brings about expectation of spectacular effects, various locations, big high-status stars, sexy women, the well-known Bond theme tune, etc. However, the story line, the settings and the characters must all signify Bond and these particular expectations of the audience. The extract I have chosen to study is one of immense action and great suspense. We begin by viewing the meeting of the Bond girl and the Bond villain. The use of media language is therefore crucial at this stage in enabling the audience to understand the importance of these first key scenes. The first scene establishes the setting, a wide shot of an open location showing Bond landing in Kazakhstan. This is signified by their landing, on a dusty airstrip, with graphics to give the location on screen. The Bond theme tune is meanwhile playing in the background, connoting that Bond has arrived in the foreign territory and that there may soon be danger on its way. This is signified by the exposed airstrip and warning music that we are used to in these situations. Bond then travels to the key location in which the scene is further set, with further establishing shots which are important in giving the audience a clearer pictur of where the action will take place and who will be involved. This suspense and danger is signified mainly by the people who Bond shares a jeep with all with shaven heads, wearing dark overalls, portraying of course an evil darkness. The changing of the music further emphasises this point in which it increases in pace and adds to the present situation by the special effects of explosions in the vicinity, and faster cutting to add speed to the sequence. There is a lot of non-verbal communication going on here, to begin with showing evil signs of danger and authority. Thus the narrative is starting to be built up. As we see a laboratory, the music transforms to more intricate, computer like music. It is well lit with people wearing white suits. This connotes that this will be a key location, adding to our knowledge and stirring at our curiosity levels. It also signifies a place of delicacy in comparison to the previous fast and loud scene, hereby adding to the connoted level of meaning within the scene. A wide shot establishes the next scene as Bond enters an important nuclear facility. We recognise this from the mise-en-scene with people moving about, their clothing, the explosions, warning signs, alarms, etc. These aspects all contribute to a sense of danger. As it cuts to the star Bond, we can basically understand that he is in a dangerous position, adding to the effect of us as an audience, feeling the danger. This is further signified by Bond being met by a burly, uniformed man with a Russian accent and the juxtaposition of shots from below the ground of warheads being taken from the bunker. The next key location involves the meeting between Bond and Dr Christmas Jones (Denise Richards). She stands out as a star and her importance is demonstrated within the the scene by being shot removing a clinical, white radiation suit. The camera then tilts to reveal a stunning body drawing a positive reaction from Bond, possibly signifying a possible interest. This encounter with the Bond girl is common, however this is the first time in which Bond reaches the nemesis. Whilst they meet and interact, there are many cus, this connotes that they are both key characters and the star is clearly shown. NVC is important particularly here as Jones shows no interest in Bond, this perhaps signifies a non-conformist Bond girl who has adapted more to the social beliefs of the late 90s. However, as expected, Bond stays cool throughout, for example when he is questioned by Jones on his Russian, he replies in russian; I studied at Oxford, signifying his coolness and his position as our hero is is secured by Jones double-take as he walks away. The signifiers of glamour further support the star quality of Jones, she is always shot with soft lighting and wears make-up, with a necklace that somehow contrasts with her working clothes of tight shorts and vest. She is portrayed as a strong woman presumably this has been developed through the political changes within society, so in fact she is demonstrating an attitude of the expected new 90s woman. These things are key in connoting sexiness and a love interest. Throughout this scene, mise-en-scene was very important a spark was established between two main characters, we learn much about them and also the surroundings that they are both working in. The next scene begins with Bond entering the bunker. Effects are used here as Bond is travelling downwards, the FX are accompanying him into what is signified as an abyss. There various signifiers at this point, he is shot from a high angle, losing his normal position of authority. He then enters the darkness followed by random, eerie sfx, all connoting danger and risk. As we are introduced to the setting from Bonds point of view, adding to our empathy, we see low lighting, smoke, controls and explosives. The scene is set with these shots and the audience is quite easily able to gain meaning from the various signifiers. Our next focus is at the end of a tunnel in which sparks are flying. The scene, again is established through the use of a long shot demonstrating to the audience that they are experiencing a key location of the scene. Following Bonds approach, suspense is added as the mystical Bond music increases pace and we are left to wonder what lies through the tunnel. However, this information is slowly revealed as Bond sees some me working on a nuclear warhead. At this point, we are shown at the same time as Bond, creating a sense of realism and timing. There is a sudden change in the music at this point signifying the presence of Renard whose nvc can be immediately interpreted as villainous. He has a shaven head, wearing a completely dark outfit and is shouting whilst being approached from a high angle. This connotes his power and his sense of evil, being mainly shotin darkness. Throughout the sequence, the music increases the intensity with the action.This is mainly demonstrated when Bond confronts Renard. As the shot is from Renards POV at a high angle, this perhaps suggests that Bond is still not on top of things. However, the main focus is on Bonds gun and his good figure is signified by the blue tint of lighting surrounding his face, in comparison to Renards face of darkness. Whilst the two of them exchange remarks, the pace is signified through the use of hand-held camera shots with increased cuts, signifying again the star status , although more importantly to the audience, these being the key characters within the film. As the narrative develops, again we learn more about the characters, much of this can in fact be learnt through the signifiers such as, Bonds white shirt in comparison to Renards fully zipped, dark uniform. Also, Renards voice connotes an eastern villain, linking to previous Bond sagas. Music does, however play a key part throughout the entire scene. The iconography does play a large part all through the film, it does not fail to live up to the audiences expectations, for example, the commonly known Bond catchphrase is included The names Bond.James Bond etc. as usual, this is mentioned mid-action on an elevator, whilst saving Dr Christmas Jones whilst Renard escapes. As Bond films have been going for such a long time, it has become easier to distinguish the advance in the technology used over time and how the representaions of this have developed, according to its era. The action is ongoing and Bond doesnt stop until hes achieved his victory. The amazing quality of each Bond film demonstrates just how much effort and money has been put into it, it is completely obvious that it has had a huge budget by just focusing on the use of actors, special effects, cuts and angles, etc.