Staff Sergeant Thompson killed scene:
Cinematography in the scene has been done excellently. The scene is shot using a number of cameras, which offer the viewer a variety of angles, which allows the viewer to have different views of the scene. This gives the viewer different views of the bomb scene. The angles that have been used include low-angles, high angles, and straight angles. In addition, point of view shots have been used for example when Eldridge is looking at the butchery through his gun. This kind of shooting has led to the film being shot in a form of narrative. In the scene, sound has been used effectively to show the intensity of the scene. The music used in the scene is eerie and provides the effect of suspense as well as the danger posed by the bomb. The music is also low enough and in the background, the viewer can hear background noises, which enhance the intensity of the situation. In addition, as Thompson is running the viewer can hear his heavy breathing inside his mask showing his determination to exit the danger zone. Quick editing has been done for this scene with quick cuts from one scene to the other. This has been effective in enhancing the chaos that is evident in the scene.
Sniper scene:
Cinematography in the scene has been done excellently. In this scene a variety of camera-angles have been used in the scene. These include point of view shots from the Sanborn’s gun when he is aiming the sniper rifle at the enemies in the building. In addition high and low shots have been used which include a shot from inside the tank when Chris is shooting at the enemies. These angles have been critical in enhancing the action in the scene. There is also a straight- close up shot of Sanborn’s face with a fly on his eye. The sound in the scene is excellent. The sound is composed of conversations, repeated instructions, shouting, rapid gunfire, heavy breathing when Sanborn is aiming at the enemy as well as Eldridge is cleaning the ammunition. During the scene, there is no music but at the end, slow music is played enhancing the calmness after the death of the sniper. As with the rest of the film quick editing has been done for this scene with quick cuts from one scene to the other. This has been effective in enhancing the chaos that is evident in the scene.
Comparing this with scenes from Black hawk down it is evident that there are a number of similarities between this scenes and scenes from Black hawk down. This is mainly because in Blackhawk down varieties of camera-angles have been used throughout the film. These include point of view shots, high and low shots. In addition, the same type of sound has been used which include eerie music, explosions, conversations, repeated instructions, shouting, rapid gunfire, heavy breathing. Black hawk down presents modern warfare as violent and sad. This is mainly because the film is made up of graphic scenes, which involve brutal killings of American soldiers. The formal elements have been used excellently to communicate this message with excellent camera angles, eerie sounds, gunfire, and quick editing between shots.
Both the films are anti-war. At the beginning of The Hurt Locker, the opening credits have a strong antiwar message. On the other hand, Black Hawk Down shows the ills of war in order to pass an anti war message to views. I find a neutral position regarding the U.S. position in the story of their respective conflict. This is mainly because the advantages of war do not outweigh the disadvantages and vice versa.
No, I do not think that the directors handle their material differently based on their gender. This is mainly because the formal elements in both films have been used in the same way. From the definition of the traits of 'masculine' cinema, both films meet these traits. I think that the difference in direction reflect the difference within each conflict in the films.
