kick ass deconstruction

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The very first image in the film ‘Kick-Ass’ is that of a point of view shot threw the sky, the colour of the sky is a vivid blue adding a fictional essence as if the scene would be in a comic or cartoon. The fact that the audience is shown this image could be a representation of a superhero’s view, which would automatically tie in the theme of comic books. During this part of the scene, titles are passing the audience by as the camera glides threw the clouds. We are able to view a character (standing on the edge of a building dressed in a superheros outfit) from a behind shot, hiding their identity and adding a sense of mystery that so often is found hand-in-hand with films based on where the character masks their identity. The music builds as he jumps of the building, with the camera angles changing from an establishing shot, to a close up, then to a very effective point of view shot. Although, the character fails to fly and lands on top of a New York taxi, clearly establishing the location. Taxis and other city features are also used as transactions between locations. The music completely cuts out during this and a sense of reality is resumed, the title ‘Kick-Ass’ is the taxis number plate.

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Page 1: Kick Ass Deconstruction

The very first image in the film ‘Kick-Ass’ is that of a point of view shot threw the sky, the colour of the sky is a vivid blue adding a fictional essence as if the scene would be in a comic or cartoon. The fact that the audience is shown this image could be a representation of a superhero’s view, which would automatically tie in the theme of comic books. During this part of the scene, titles are passing the audience by as the camera glides threw the clouds.

We are able to view a character (standing on the edge of a building dressed in a superheros outfit) from a behind shot, hiding their identity and adding a sense of mystery that so often is found hand-in-hand with films based on where the character masks their identity. The music builds as he jumps of the building, with the camera angles changing from an establishing shot, to a close up, then to a very effective point of view shot. Although, the character fails to fly and lands on top of a New York taxi, clearly establishing the location. Taxis and other city features are also used as transactions between locations. The music completely cuts out during this and a sense of reality is resumed, the title ‘Kick-Ass’ is the taxis number plate.

Our main character is narrating the entire title sequence and first scene over the top of clichéd ‘inspirational’ music that would be commonly found in fictional hero films, again, supporting the fact that the movie will be based around the topic of superheroes. Although further into the scene, the score changes to a more modern, upbeat sound when we are introduced to the reality of his life.

Page 2: Kick Ass Deconstruction

The establishing shot of his high school is accompanied by a subtitle stating “Six months earlier…” in the same design that would be found in a comic book. This has been done to yet again remain the reader of the connection between the comic book world and the main characters life.

When the main character is walking through high school, the camera shots used mostly switch between tracking, point of view and mid shots. The tracking camera is used as if the audience is following the character through the school, swaying from left to right whilst taking in the environment of a busy building full with different character all with completely different traits, as the narration describes. The point of view shot used very effectively when the character is walking through the corridors, due to the fact that we are able to see how other characters react to him and therefore have a sense of what life would be like in the eyes of this character. Mid shots are commonly used; we can have a panned out view of the environment, but yet stay focused on the main character himself. Long shots are very frequently used when our character is in class, therefore, the scene involved the entire class as well as highlighting the fact that there is nothing particularly special about the main character; he merges in with everyone else.