Camerawork in Thrillers - The Dark Knight Rises

          

The Dark Knight Rises is the final film in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, during this film a new villain, Bane, comes to Gotham and attempts to take over the city. Bane manages to temporarily achieve his goals when he defeats Batman but by the end of the film, when this scene occurs, Batman has returned and there is a plan in place to save the city from the atomic bomb Bane was going to use to destroy it. This film included the recurring cast of Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Michael Caine as Alfred, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon. It also includes several newcomers to the Dark Knight cinematic universe: Anne Hathaway as Catwomen, Tom Hardy as Bane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake and Marion Cotillard as Talia al Ghul. The film was released on the 20th of July 2012 in the UK and grossed $577.7 million worldwide. It was a financial success as it over double its estimated budget but many fans felt that it fell short of the mesmerising masterpiece 'The Dark Knight'.

 

At the beginning of the scene a range of mid shots are used to establish the chaos that has taken over Gotham City as a result of Bane's plan. This range of shots emphasises how many people have got involved in the fight, this shows both the power that Bane has because he managed to do this to the city but it also shows how powerful people's love for their home can be as they are willing to fight with their bear hands in an attempt to save it. The lack of diversity between the peoples' clothes could be used to show that in Bane's eyes they are all the same and are insignificant. This could be used to show that antagonists in thrillers, much like the Joker in 'The Dark Knight', have little regard for humanity and they don't care about people, instead they only care about their own goals.

                                 

 

                              

 

                              

 

Throughout the first half of this scene low angle shots are used of Bane, these could be used to emphasise how much power he has over Gotham. They could also be used to reinforce the idea of how physically strong Bane is as well as how intimidating he is and his physical advantage over Batman. This breaks a convention in action Thrillers because normally the antagonist is mentally stronger than the protagonist so the protagonist then has to use their physical strength to defeat them. However, through these shots Bane's physical strength is emphasised suggesting that he doesn't need mental strength as his power comes through violence which is easily achieved through his build. This could be used to build the audience's anticipation because it makes them more equal, therefore, making the fight more intense as you don't know who will win.

 

                                  

 

                                  

 

                                  

The close ups of Bane allow the audience to see the emotions on his face. For example in the second shot it shows Bane searching for Batman and his eagerness to fight. However the third shot suggests uncertainty in his face as he feels Batman's strength and determination to win. Alternatively, both shots could be used to show his happiness as he watches the city tear itself apart as well as how much he enjoys fighting and competition as he scrabbles with Batman.

As the fight continues close ups of Bane as still used, however now instead of showing his confidence and strength they establish his vulnerability and weaknesses. This suddenly changes the audience's view of Bane as he goes from being a dominating and ruthless monster to a man scrambling to catch his breath and to defend himself. The close ups allow the audience to see the fear in his eyes as Batman begins to win the fight. The high angle of the second close up emphasises this as it makes Bane appear vulnerable and weak. It also reinforces the idea that he has been defeated.

When Bane and Batman fight over the shoulder shots are used to reinforce the idea that they are on opposite sides. This shot type is first used when they start to fight, as the action continues the camera zooms into where the characters are. This places the audience directly in the action, this enhances the chaos and panic of being in a fight and helps connect the audience to what's happening. The over the shoulder shots also serve to place the audience with the characters, for example, the first shot reinforces how physically dominating Bane is and makes the audience fear for Batman. However by the second shot the audience has seen how powerful Batman is and when they are positioned with him Bane becomes small and vulnerable. This could be used to emphasise the idea that Batman is a hero and not just a vigilante because he makes the viewers feel safe and protected from the way he's positioned with the camera.

                                                                                                                 

 

 

The shift in power is also enhanced by camera angles, as after Batman begins to win the fight the angles of him change from being eye level, which allowed the audience to connect with him and his struggle, to low angle shots. These shots re-establish his power and determination. Alternatively, they also support the view in the film that Batman isn't a hero as he becomes vicious and menacing. This is a common theme used in film noirs as usually the protagonists has to give in to their inner darkness to defeat the antagonist. However, the rage that is evident in these shots could be considered acceptable as Batman is getting his revenge for all of the pain and destruction Bane has caused to both himself and his home city.

In conclusion, throughout this scene a range of shot types are used to influence the audience's opinion of characters and their current situation. For example, the view of Bane develops from a ruthless tyrant to a weak and defenceless man. The is used to create tension and reinforce the audience's anticipation because it makes the scene unpredictable and in turn exciting.