Editing to Build Tension- Taken

In this film extract we can see the demonstration of excellent editing to create tension. There are many shots in this film with varying duration, may of which are very short which helps build the intensity of the narrative and the intensity of the violence in the fight.

In this sequence we see many medium close ups and close up shots which are great at portraying the confined space that they are in. The speed at which they change from each camera angle really adds to the speed and the impact of the violence that the audience sees. The close ups of the characters expressions allow the audience to connect with the characters and how fearful the character in the brown jacket is. The realistic sound effect, like the punching and when he hits his head on the ground, add to the realism of the action and so the audience find it easier to connect with the film.

In this sequence several shots like a very wide shot and wide shot are used to show the risk that the character took to escape, this shows the audience that this man knows he is guilty and doesn't want to be captured. During this sequence the music stops and all you hear is the sound of the wind passing the man as he falls, this builds tension because the audience are expecting something to happen next that might shock them, then comes in the loud thud from the landing which breaks this tension. That's why when the lorry hits him the audience are caught off guard and find the scene more enjoyable as there thoughts about the codes of the genre are broken.

The mise-en-scene is very light which suggests that it is daylight, this emphasises the fact that the character will do everything he can to get his daughter back, as he is not afraid of exposing himself in broad daylight. Also his clothing suggests that he is quite a dark character for a hero as the colour black is normally related to the bad guy in a film. The fact that he is also always wearing a leather coat helps show the coldness of the weather but also it suggests that he is a cold natured character.