A call for more long takes in action movies - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

poot · 09-30-2003, 12:58 AM

Recently saw Once Upon A Time In Mexico, and I was shocked at how poorly done most of the action sequences were. I think there were more memorable shots from El Mariachi then the hypercut mishmash that were the gunfights in this flick.

Anyone else who has seen The Killer or Hard Boiled will agree that long action takes that actually show all the action are the way to go. Nothing in recent memory beats out that last hospital scene in Hard Boiled where the camera follows the two heroes down a gunfight in one hallway, into an elevator and up to the next floor, and then continues the action.

I guess I'm just venting mostly because of how much I was expecting from Rodriguez's latest. But really, directors of Hollywood: pull the camera back a little, show some more action. Your smashzoomed shots of a gun firing and then something exploding or a blood squib are practically interchangeable between movies.

LaZy · 09-30-2003, 03:53 AM

Amen reverand!

Cynthetiq · 09-30-2003, 06:38 AM

while I haven't seen OUTM, it is a difference in visual style. John Woo has his style, as does Rodriguez. That's what makes seeing movies by different directors worthwhile.

poot · 09-30-2003, 07:13 PM

i guess you could mark it down to a style difference if you want, but i don't know many who prefer the editing "style" of not seeing poorly edited, indecipherable action scenes

watch the movie to see what i'm talking about :P

Hal Incandenza · 09-30-2003, 10:06 PM

So many contemporary directors think that the way to portray really chaotic action is to make it visually incomprehensible...Take something like the fight scenes in X2, for example (I'm thinking specifically of the one between Wolverine and the woman with the claws at the end of the movie): it's impossible to follow what's going on, but it sure looks action-packed, so it must be exciting, right? Or is it actually disengaging because no one can see what the hell's happening?

That scene in Hard Boiled is amazing. I've watched it a few times, and as far as I can tell, there's no camera trickery--it's all one take. Has to be seen to be believed. All of the action scenes in Hard Boiled are totally frenetic, yet at the same time you're in perfect awareness of the scene's space, what all the characters are doing, etc. So in short (?), I agree: longer shots, please. It's technically difficult, but watch John Woo's Hong Kong movies to see how much it pays off.

09-30-2003, 12:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
poot Upright	A call for more long takes in action movies Recently saw Once Upon A Time In Mexico, and I was shocked at how poorly done most of the action sequences were. I think there were more memorable shots from El Mariachi then the hypercut mishmash that were the gunfights in this flick. Anyone else who has seen The Killer or Hard Boiled will agree that long action takes that actually show all the action are the way to go. Nothing in recent memory beats out that last hospital scene in Hard Boiled where the camera follows the two heroes down a gunfight in one hallway, into an elevator and up to the next floor, and then continues the action. I guess I'm just venting mostly because of how much I was expecting from Rodriguez's latest. But really, directors of Hollywood: pull the camera back a little, show some more action. Your smashzoomed shots of a gun firing and then something exploding or a blood squib are practically interchangeable between movies.

09-30-2003, 03:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
LaZy Crazy Location: AZ	Amen reverand! __________________ Ideas pull the trigger, but instinct loads the gun. I know who you are!

09-30-2003, 06:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	while I haven't seen OUTM, it is a difference in visual style. John Woo has his style, as does Rodriguez. That's what makes seeing movies by different directors worthwhile. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

09-30-2003, 07:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
poot Upright	i guess you could mark it down to a style difference if you want, but i don't know many who prefer the editing "style" of not seeing poorly edited, indecipherable action scenes watch the movie to see what i'm talking about :P

09-30-2003, 10:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hal Incandenza Tilted Location: Enfield MA	So many contemporary directors think that the way to portray really chaotic action is to make it visually incomprehensible...Take something like the fight scenes in X2, for example (I'm thinking specifically of the one between Wolverine and the woman with the claws at the end of the movie): it's impossible to follow what's going on, but it sure looks action-packed, so it must be exciting, right? Or is it actually disengaging because no one can see what the hell's happening? That scene in Hard Boiled is amazing. I've watched it a few times, and as far as I can tell, there's no camera trickery--it's all one take. Has to be seen to be believed. All of the action scenes in Hard Boiled are totally frenetic, yet at the same time you're in perfect awareness of the scene's space, what all the characters are doing, etc. So in short (?), I agree: longer shots, please. It's technically difficult, but watch John Woo's Hong Kong movies to see how much it pays off.