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Detailed analysis of Mendes' Skyfall Macau Casino Scene. OCR Film Studies. Critical Approaches
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Detailed analysis of Mendes' Skyfall Macau Casino Scene. OCR Film Studies. Critical Approaches
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‘Skyfall’s Macau Casino Scene KATIE SMALL(In terms of positioning and composition, lighting and sound)
When Bond enters the Macau Casino on his boat he enters through a lit dragon that frames him. The
imagery of traveling through the dragon connotes ideas of entering a new world and also brings
alight ideas of rebirth as he reinvents himself to be the character needed to pull off this exchange.
This sense of reinvention highlights the nature of which Bond needs to convince the casino staff that
he is genuine and confident. This shows Bond to be adaptable and skilful in his manoeuvring of a
new, unfamiliar setting; which he does with ease. The symmetry establishes order in an unfamiliar
place and shows him to be independent. In addition, his unchanging posture and his straight
composure puts him in a position of control whilst also putting him, more definitively, in the centre
of the frame. This enunciates the dominance he possesses by nature and has had to develop as a
child and carries in his job.
Reaching the desk and asking for the exchange, Bond turns to the side whilst leaning on the desk.
This shot has leading lines directed at Bond, this puts him in charge so that he is seen as powerful.
However, the leading lines are disrupted by the intricate, traditional Chinese patterns on the walls
that enclose the woman at the reception desk. By disrupting the straight leading lines, Bond’s
dominance is challenged and introduces a more complex and mysterious feel to the scene. The
elaborate woodwork could, not only, reflect Bond’s deception of the Chinese casino staff as he is
ingenuine and posing as somebody else, but also signify a deeper groundwork of the organisation
which Bond is trying to combat. Moreover, the complex screen separates Bond from the lady at the
desk and in doing so, the screen obscures both their faces which could reinforce the deception but
also could symbolise the lack of order in Bond’s life at this point in the film and could indicate Bond’s
attempts at reassembling his professional career after his injury damaged his quality of work.
The proxemics between characters is essential in establishing exposition and relationships. For
instance, when Bond receives the briefcase holding the money, the casino staff and Bond are
opposite each other. This sparks significance to a traditional dealing and the classic imagery of two
parties being across from each other like a negotiation. But unlike the traditional idea of an
exchange, Bond holds all the power; this is shown by the juxtaposition of the two men and the
independent Bond. With this, Bond seemed familiar with his positioning and was competent in his
dealings. This implies that Bond is powerful and experienced as he doesn’t need security or support.
The soundtrack for this sequence reprises the theme song for this episode of James Bond: ‘Skyfall’.
The instrumental version of the song is played to intensifies and highlight the scale of his entrance to
the Macau Casino. This intensity forms the character of Bond as a man on a mission; as someone
with a purpose. This is exciting for audiences and further engages them into the story as suspense
builds. However, this is contrasted by the inside of the casino where it is calm and contained as the
music is silenced. The subtlety of the music inside helps Bond blend in and look inconspicuous. The
suspenseful soundtrack resurfaces to emphasise the significance of the woman as the eyeline match
between the characters establishes a connection. The shift in music marks a plot development and
signifies how the storyline will progress. This is mostly to guide the audience to understand the story
fully. The music then quietens again to coordinate an unsuspecting and controlled exchange. These
moments are crucial to amplify the importance of characters or props.
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