Collateral (2004)

I watched a clip of Collateral starring Tom Cruise and Jason Statham. The first shot is a mid shot of Cruise walking in a shopping mall. This mid shot introduces his character. In comparison there is also a 'mid shot if Statham also walking in the shopping mall, this also introduces the viewers to his character. once the characters come across each other there is a two shot of them to show the relationship they have although they don't know each other. This adds suspense and tension to the scene and leaves the audience waiting for something to happen.

As Cruise is walking the editing is slow down whilst showing his character, whilst Statham's character is edited in 'real time'. The slow-motion of Cruise walking adds intrigue to the scene to make the 'audience' try and deduce the kind of character he is. Maybe as a calm and collected figure, or possibly a false description of our character.

Both men are wearing suits to show their level of power and authority. Cruise is wearing an metallic silver blazer and black sunglasses to elaborate that he is possibly the 'focal point' of the scene and and the light colour of his suit his attitude and that may illude us to think that he is the main protagonist (untill later revealed). Whilst in contrast Statham is wearing a black suit which connotes darkness and a evil side we would think.

When Cruise is walking we hear the diegetic sound of his footsteps, walking through the mall. It is the sole significant sound we can hear, connoting isolation and possibly a confrontation. Once they have their 'confrontation' we can hear Cruise's voice is very subtle and calm and reassuring as he say "are you ok?" to make sure the Statham is film and this gives us a good impression of him which would later on trick us whilst Statham's character's voice is also reassuring "yeah i'm fine mate" however by his 'facial expressions' and what we have already deduced from his we can almost infer a slight more malice in his voice.

This moment is pivotal in the scene as it breaks the 'continuity' of both characters walking a poses a possibility of strained 'tension' between the two which we can see in the 'two shot' and a real 'climax' about to happen that balances on both characters reaction to one another.

Suspense 1: Is a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety about the outcome of certain actions, most often referring to an audience's perceptions in a dramatic work.



Suspense 2: A state or condition of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety.

"After watching the clip of 'Collateral' as well as
analysing my definitions, i have been able to
understand they various ways in which suspense
in a thriller can be portrayed. In 'Collateral' there
was not a blaitent act of tension before the
confrontation, however i still have the feeling of a
very much ever present climax about to happen.
My two analytical images also back the definitions
of two different types of suspense. One an obvious
physical suspence whilst the other is alot more
mental and psychology. Using both in my thriller
would enable me to vary my use of suspense
and send several messages across to my audience
which would work very well for us."