James Bond- Casino Royale Madagascar chase scene

Casino Royale
Chase scene: Madagascar

Within the scene, the mise-en-scene, camera work and soundtrack all work together to create a tense and dramatic scene that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
The chase scene is opened effectively with an establishing shot of the surrounding area, allowing the audience to be introduced to the scene where the action is about to take place. The ambient sound of the crowd, supplies the sound for the scene, creating a claustrophobic and disorientation feeling for the audience. As they try to get to grips with the area. Straight away the camera is placed in the middle of the crowd, increasing the feeling of confusion, the camera flashes quickly between shots, explaining to the audience what is happening within the scene. The frantic hands of the people in the crowd create a lot of movement, making it hard to focus on them as individuals. This works well when we are introduced to a new character as all of the extras in the scene are constantly moving. The new character is stiller in movement, allowing the audience to be attracted to him within the crowd. The camera focuses on him, capturing his movements using a range of close ups and medium shots. The focus then changes from the new character to an agent that is also standing in the crowd. With the introduction of the new character, dialogue is used to explain to the audience that the agent is watching the new character. A long shot of Bond is then used to explain who the agent is talking to. As the dialogue from the agent to Bond becomes more tense, the shots flash between close ups of bond and of the agent to show their reactions. When the new character spots the agent, the reactions are captured as point of view shots, allowing the audience to be put in their situation of confrontation. Confrontation creates tension for the audience and gets them involved within the scene, allowing them to be psychologically attached to the scene. As the chase starts, the sudden movement of the new character as he turns to run from the agent is synchronised with a strong drum beat, which has a quick quieter beat that sets the pace of the chase, connecting with the sound of a heartbeat. Whilst the action is still within the crowd the sound of the fear and confusion of the extras in the scene, creates tension.

A long shot of Bond is used to show him overlooking the agent chase the new character. When the agent fails to chase, bond is introduced to the chase. A jungle rhythm is dramatically synchronised with Bonds quick movement into the scene. And with this movement it is clear that the chase has become serious. The beat becomes quicker and like the quick footsteps of the characters. Throughout the chase, the camera tracks the two characters; running along side them and from Aerial shots. The aerial shots establish the distance between the two characters. The point of view of the camera switches between bond and the new character, the audience are involved with Bond’s thoughts when he is deciding what to do next. A long shot of the fork lift is shown and then the camera shows Bond’s response. The audience is then shown a panning point of view shot from the new character’s point of view when looking for Bond. The quick movement of the camera shows the characters anticipation of Bond’s whereabouts. Together the quick camera work and the ever changing soundtrack, controls the pace of the scene to peak at certain points within the scene.

The mise-en-scene within the scene is very important when setting the scene the audience needs to be able to recognise the culture and aspects of the area. The opening scene is in an LEDC area of Madagascar. This is recognisable as a Less Economically Developed Country by the casual and simple clothing worn by the extras in the scene. The undeveloped roads and housing in the area and the sandy and neutral colours of the surrounding. Bond and his co agent are dresses in brighter colours, yet still those of which would be worn in the climate there in. The jungle is used as a natural and safer area within the scene yet a more chaotic and mysterious area, which is soon left to enter a dangerous large building site.
The mise-en-scene for the building site is a dramatic change from the town scenery. With stronger and sharper edges increasing the danger of the scene. The height of the building frames, increases the danger and tension for the characters, making the audience anticipate an accident. As the scene moves on, the height of the buildings increases, so does the danger of the scenes. As it becomes higher, the mise en scene becomes less, with vast open spaces taking the place of dangerous machinery and the building site. Special effects are used within the building site, introducing fire and explosions and gunshots to the chase. Increasing the intensity of the chase. Natural lighting is used throughout the scene with the sun beaming down on the set, creating a hot and intense set for a chase. The strength of the sun also adds to the mise en scene, showing that Bond is in a strange and unfamiliar country.

The soundtrack to the film works with the camera shots to synchronise actions of the characters and important situations in the scene with sound. The sound is used to increase the tension for the audience and connect to their heartbeat. As the tension starts to grow with the action, the soundtrack becomes more alive, becoming faster and louder in the scene. The strings used in the music play the bond tune, which is well recognised by the audience. The beat of the music also quickens, causing the heartbeat of the audience to also quicken. When Bond jumps from the crane, the music suddenly stops. The stopping of the music causes the audience to also stop, and maybe hold their breath because of the sudden intensity and quietness of the shot.