Shaky action sequences...

Benny1414

Benny1414

Member
I apoligize if this has already been discussed, but I did a search and couldn't find anything.

What's with the trend of shooting action sequences where the camera moves and jumps so much, you can't tell what is going on? I saw Batman Begins last night (which I enjoyed), but everytime I saw a fight scene, I felt like, "Sigh, just get it over with and tell me who won". Bourne Supremecy seemed to have this problem, too. Don't get me wrong, I like well choreographed fight scenes. But to me, this is simply telling someone to flail his arms and then swinging the camera closely around him.

Maybe this has always been the case and I haven't noticed it until recently, since I pay more attention to the cinematography now.

And, maybe I am in the minority here in my dislike of this style. I would like to hear from others. Do any of you like this way of shooting fight scenes? Do you find it artistic? Interesting? Do you get dizzy? Or is it just a directing fad that will go away...?
 
The really cool thing about those scenes was the use of a 100K SoftSun HMI outside the windows!
But, I agree the camera angles generally sucked during the fighting. I just wanted them to be over.
 
Haven't seen Batman yet, but I agree with your premise. In my opinion fight scenes, with a few exceptions, should be shot at wide angles. The only reason to photograph close and shakey is if you don't have good fight choreography.

My two cents.

Chris
 
Matrix backlash

Matrix backlash

Well in the case of both the Bourne movies and now Batman Begins you have people coming from the documentary and indie world making action movies now.

Maybe this is some sort of artistic backlash against the over-done, overly orchestrated Matrix-like slo mo computery action scenes.

I like both styles personally. Whether it be the glossy Matrix (when done with some originality mind you) or the rawness of these handheld scenes.

The handheld scenes I will say play much better on the small screen though. When I saw Bourne Supremacy on the big screen those scenes were a bit tough to watch, at home, no problems. But in both cases you mentioned I thought the action scenes were very well done for the grittiness of their characters and the material.
 
..or if you have really good coreography where you can highlight certain subtle movements or maneuvers. but yeah.. it seemed like they just tied some strigs to them and shook them around like marionettes and spun the camera on a wire and started rolling. someties it works.. but sometimes it just leaves you feeling like its a copout.
 
And a random close up or two for emotional impact I'd say. Other than that wide angle is much preferable I think.
 
I agree that the whole shakiness thing has been way overdone lately, but it's not the case with Batman. Fight scenes there were just perfect - they were supposed to be realistic and the real fight is nothing like Matrix or Crouching tiger. Using close-ups put you into the action as opposed to being a spectator, when everything is presented in wide angle. Plus you have the character of Batman, who is basically invisible, who moves and attacks so fast and unexpected, that you just don't get to see much. So, if anything, the shaky camera was perfect for the material.
 
Yeah, I don't think that Batman Begins suffered from the same choppiness of Bourne Supremacy--which I can't even watch, it pisses me off so much.
 
Yeah, I'll agree that it did fit more with Batman, especially when Bale was in the batsuit. I think when it really bothered me was when he was fighting prisoners and dueling with Liam Neeson in the beginning.

And Lyons Den, you bring up a good point: I've only seen both of these films on the big screen. Maybe I'll give them both another viewing on DVD...
 
The final fight in Batman was a waste of film. Their wasn't a clue to what was going on...Spiderman 2 really put it to shame.

And if you want to see some crazy shaky cam...watch the beginning of NARC...i thought i was going to throw up.
 
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