Crank Analysis

Lionsgate/Lakeshore Enteratainment present Crank - a high-pace action film, which is extremely effective. As most action films use these distributors, I will use those in my project, then follow by my own label such as 'Katty Productions', which I have used in my previous projects.

The Crank opening sequence is extremely inventive and it is set out as a 'video-game' style. There are lots of different graphics that've been used and then when Chev Chelios finds out that he only has an hour to live, it gives it a game-like feel, as if the audience/game player has to save him from dying. 

There are a lot of MS/CS shots to show the emotion on both the vilains face and Chev's face.

The opening sequence begins with the showing of the opening titles. The music that is being played over the top of the opening titles is called 'Mental Health' by Quiet Riot, addressing the opening scene nicely...

Here, there is a clear change in graphics, signifying that the film is going to be a high-tech film, or maybe that it is based around a 'video-game' feel due to the title of crank...

There is a changing colour in the background as the title is shown and the heart underneath links in the storyline, as the protagonist is poisoned by the vilain, which causes his heart-rate to slow down significantly and the only way that he can stay alive is if he keep moving and the adrenalin flows through his body. The change in the colour to portray the fast-life style in which he will have to keep up in order to stay alive.

Chev Chelios wakes up feeling delirious after he was poisoned in his sleep and the audience are made aware of his through the use of this shot...

The shot has been positioned in this way to enable the audience to see the room from Chev's POV and gather a feeling of his emotions. The camera "blinks", also showing the audience that they're seeing the room from Chev's POV and as he wakes up and feels strange, he tries to get himself up and the shaky camera movements allow the audience to reflect on his state. Once he is up, he looks at this hands, maybe to see if he is still alive, however he could've done something wrong and he may be looking shamefully at them...

Also, as this is going on, diagetic sound is also being played through the use of Chev's heavy breathing, suggesting he is not well and unable to breath normally. As the unsteady camera movements are going on, there is a non-diagetic sound effect being played in the background, implying that he is losing life, much like you'd hear on a video game, reflecting his delirious state. As he slowly loses more and more life, he makes his way to the sink, stumbling and he washes his hands under the tap. 

This part of the opening sequence reminded me of Macbeth, when Lady Macbeth is trying to wash away the blood she is imagining on her hands, which made me think that maybe Chev has committed something wrong. On the other hand, he may be washing his hands due to the state that is he in, trying to allow himself to feel fresh and revitalised.

He then makes his way over to the TV which has been left on and the diagetic sound allows the audience to here the crashing of bottles and glass, implying that he is not steady on his feet and can't hold himself up, allowing signified by the ropey camera movements.

He finds this when he gets over the TV...

This is when the storyline beings. Chev then inserts the DVD into the player and the story is then made clear to him...

Throughout this part, the shots range from ES-MS-LS-ECU and the range of different shots allows the audience to become a part of the action, letting them have a different view of the storyline as it's being told.

Chev is shown on the crouched in a number of different positions throughout, signifying his pain and hatred towards the vilain...

The audience are able to get a view of the senario in different shots and the different shots of the vilain also do that...

Some are all of the full screen and others are showing the DVD playing from the TV (picture 2). Both characters are dressed in black, implying that they've both done something wrong and they're both not very nice people, however Chev's outline is only shown, in a shadow-like form suggesting his lack of importance as someone has tried to kill him. 

As Chev realises what's happened, there is a MS of his face showing his reaction and the exposure/brightness is changed to allow the technological feel to start again, allowing the reader to again reflect on the video game like feel. 

This allows the audience to feel the anger within Chev as he sets out to find his enemy, however before that he addresses his anger by smashing up his TV which the DVD was shown on. This also links to the representation that men are angry individuals who would 'lash out' at something that causes them pain, linking with a stereotypical view nicely. 

There is also a change in effects (exposure/brightness) here when he is smashing up the TV, again showing the video-game effect, and there are also some freeze frames which allow the audience to reflect on the anger and emotion in which the protagonist is feeling. 

The high-pace editing reflects the life in which Chev Chelios now must live to stay alive. The suspense keeps the audience interested and they're wanting to watch more and more to see what happens next as the DVD that's played on the TV ends on a cliffhanger. 

This opening sequence reflects a high-pace action film well as the editing and edgy camera movements show this.