Mise En Scene analysis of ‘Taken 2’

1. Mise En Scene analysis of ‘Taken 2’ Siobhan Sheridan

2. Clock Props The first significant object in this opening is the close up of the clock. It flashes between each short clips of the establishing shots. As the clock is ticking away, it gives a sense of pressure and suspense. Coffins The coffins are also an important prop shown within the first minute. They let the audience know there has already been a crime committed. Crime is a key thriller convention. The coffins are also a clever way to create enigmas. They hide who is dead, how they died and why to make the audience want to know who they are

3. Gun The gun is another prop relating to crime and murder. It is used as a threat, to take the coffins. It has significance because it is the first shown crime of many to come. It also lets you know about the character using the gun. The audience now know he is dangerous and a threat.

4. Costume Religious This religious costume (and position) helps the audience to understand that a funeral is happening. High Authority The suit, hat and clip board show this man may have high authority. He is shown as in control and responsible. This is then contradicted with the next shot… Dark, leather The man who then gets out of the car is wearing all black. This may reflect many things. His loss (to do with the coffins), anger or revenge. The leather jacket he is also wearing shows the audience he is strong ,like the material.

5. Lighting and colour In the opening shots, the first half of them are all based around an aeroplane. I found this shot the most interesting because of the lighitng. The doors are just opening on the inside of the plane and the only light source is on the outside. This gives a feel of escape, breaking out or bursting in. This will mirror the sudden events that will burst into Bryan Mills’ life. It is also set with a sepia-tone, which drains the colour and shows the suadicence that this is a flashback.

6. Setting/Location The LA urban landscape shown after the funeral in Albania. The two settings contrast completely. This could represent the two different people that are about to clash. It is already showing differences between the antagonist and protagonist. The different countires show they were raised differently, may have different beliefs or deal with things in different ways. The buildings in the background of these establishing shots are blurred. This could represent an unknowing feeling for the protagonist in the future. As you cannot see clearly everything that is in the distance, it may be used as a visual metaphor, hinting that something significant may happen later in the film.

7. CHARACTERS ie position, body language, movement, facial expressions Before he speaks, the antagonist has an angry look on his face and picks up the dirt in his hand to throw in the coffin, but holds it in a fist. He holds his hand like this throughout his speech, as if he is about to hit somebody. This emphasises his anger and need for revenge. The angle of the shot is also low, to make him look bigger and more powerful. Also, the sun/ light source in the background makes his face appear darker. Towards the end of the opening sequence, this man finishes his speech about how he will kill the man who killed his friends and family. This screen shot shows him looking directly at the camera as it is in the coffin. This angle makes him look very tall and powerful. Especially as the camera is placed in the coffin, it looks like your point of view, making the viewer feel in peril.