Practice Question 1: Skyfall

The clip I have chosen is from ‘Skyfall’ (2013) starring amongst many talented actors and actresses Daniel Craig, Naomi Harris and Judi Dench

The genre of Skyfall is Action and Adventure. We know this because it contains typical action and adventure characters such as the hero, heroin and the phsyco killer. It also typical action and adventure features such as combat and conflict, jeopardy and suspense as well as speed and motion.

Within the two minute clip, James Bond (Daniel Craig) 007, is fighting a man named Patrice on top of a moving train carriage. Patrice has stolen the hard drive off a computer containing valuable and precious information agents placed in terrorist organizations by NATO states. This is important information and MI6 are in need of the hard drive. The events of this opening show many different action and adventure features. Firstly combat and conflict is a key aspect. For example the clip begins with Bond grabbing Patrice and pulling him onto the top of the train carriage. The fast paced music and quick speed of the train influences the tension and jeopardy of the moment. Suddenly Bond stands up above Patrice pushing his body down onto the top of the train carriage. Within a split second Bond falls on top of his enemy as a low bridge is in sight and misses his head by centimeters. While travelling under the bridge, Bond and Patrice are struggling to break free from each other as the two men are grabbing each other legs, arms and necks; struggling to stay on top of the flat carriage top. While doing so they are ‘sighing’ and making grunting noises; this shows that they are extremely aggravated as well as tired due to the amount of pressure they are under to capture the hard disk and break free. This is a distinctive 'battle between good and evil' which is noticeable in films of this genre and is an example of combat and conflict.

Shortly after Eve Moneypenny (Naomi Harris) who is an MI6 field operator follows the train on a winding, gravel road which is located on the edge of a mountain with no barriers around the road. It doesn’t look safe as she is driving fast to catch up with the train, this is an example of jeopardy and suspense. Another example of jeopardy and suspense is the fact that Bond is fighting Patrice on top of a train carriage, he could plunge into the water below him or fall onto the train tracks from great height if he is not careful. Also Moneypenny is instructed during the 2 minute clip to shoot Patrice by M, the head of MI6, as the physical fight between him and Bond is getting out of hand and they desperately need the hard drive. The camera angle of her shooting Bond conveys jeopardy and suspense as it is a close up on her facial emotions and gun. This is another example of jeopardy and suspense as you are unsure of whether she is going to him Patrice or Bond. This makes the audience grip with suspense and keeps them wondering what may happen next.

The speed and motion of the travelling train as well as fast car Moneypenny is driving influences the jeopardy and suspense of the film. However, speed and motion is conveyed in this film through the representation of the characters. Bond is a typical hero, however you are never sure whether his is good or bad hero as he has the motivation and capability to be a villain; this means that he could be an anti-villain as well. Patrice in this particular extract is the villain because of his facial expressions of hast when he sees Bond approaching him as well as how fast he is travelling. Another example of speed and motion as Moneypenny follows the train with Bond located on it on a cliff top road. This shows the risks and dangers of speed and motion. The physical action is typical of the genre.

In conclusion, the characters as well as plot actions in Skyfall show all of the typical aspects/features that are commonly known in Action and Adventure films.