Road to Perdition film review. Sam Mendes (the director of Road to Perdition) has introduced the viewer to a new angle and a whole new experience on the scene, inspiring emotions rather than hatred and fear.

What is a typical shoot out scene? Dark urban streets, gunshots and blood. Large pieces of rubble flying everywhere, bullets running throughout the air. The sound of fast pace music, making you feel excited , giving you an adrenaline rush, handing you an electrifying buzz within you. This is a typical structure for an traditional shoot out scene like Terminator, Matrix and Wanted. The good guy is always outnumbered and has a disadvantage but miraculously he always seems to win. However Sam Mendes (the director of “Road to Perdition”) has introduced the viewer to a new angle and a whole new experience on the scene, inspiring emotions rather than hatred and fear.

In the road to perdition, the house lights that peak from behind the closed curtains, from the big windows shine against the long, dark, narrow pathway, creating a shadow into that area. Also the street lamps are arranged all over that specific scene. This give`s of a dash of lightning contrasting with the dark colours; surrounded by dark bringing fear and death to the viewers mind creating a unique and unusual atmosphere. Showing the viewer the contrast of the colours suggests that something good and bad is going to happen, also expressing Sullivan’s feelings. The good thing is that Sullivan wants to take revenge for what has happened. The bad thing is it that he is going to kill someone. Looking at this it also blends in with the light and dark side of things and this is called chiaroscuro. Sam Mendes has styled it like this to bring all sorts of ideas to the viewer’s minds like for instance “what is going to happen” “is he going to kill someone”. The light also reflects off the rain giving a shine, which shows emotion and pain throughout this scene. This is due to blending in with the sound and music that has been used and based on the character`s facial expressions, Giving off a visual effect of emotions and expressive lighting. It also gives of a misty look to when Rooney is walking with his guards towards the car. From the viewer’s point of view this shows they are uncertain about what is happening and what he is up to, making him look powerful and mysterious. Comparing it to a traditional shoot out scène, the lightning is usually bright and this is because it shows the viewer that the characters need to act fast, even though it is in an abandoned place or a dark alley, using the effect “full light”

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The way mise-en-scene has been used by Sam Mendes is extraordinary, because there are many styles of shoots and effects used.firsty Sulivan, Rooney and his guards are dressed smartly and are wealthy looking; this is to create the effect of that even thought they are gangsters they still have respect and look formal. Also there is always the colour black used and this is to show that they are sinister and powerful. Secondly the way it has been shot are unique because at the beginning of the scene they use an establishing shot and this is to set and create the scene and its atmosphere. Also when there’s an extreme close up on things you can always see the contrast with the other things. Thirdly there are many props used light tall lights, terrace houses on both sides and this is to create an atmosphere and make the characters stand out within the area.

Sam Mendes has used different camera shot, angles and movement particularly in the scene. For instance the specific one`s that have been used are dolly shot, long shot, mid shot tilt and over the shoulder shot. He has used a lot of these techniques and this to create an effect and make it interesting to grab the viewer’s attention and make them feel like as if they are behind the scenes. Certain types of shots have been used; this it to make it interesting and to add effect like the part where they do a close up on Rooney’s face. Also there is a unusual composition of shots within the scene, like when the camera is focused on Rooney and his guards, you’ll see his guards getting shot one by one but you’ll always see Rooney within that frame and this technique is “pan” but this pan has been used slowly to show pain and revenge within the guards that have been shot. However there are many types of close up shots and wide shots that have been used many times and this is , to mainly focus on Rooney and Sullivan showing as they are the centre of attention. This is a typical part that is found in many traditional films like Matrix Reloaded where there is a big fight scene with Neo and the Agent Smith.

There are many shots used over many seconds, but one scene is held for over 8 seconds; this is to try and create an effect and a very emotional effect on the viewer. This is because Sullivan is very emotional for what has happened to his family and for what he is going through nevertheless he is more worried about micheal.however Sam Mendes has done this to put us in Michael’s shoes to show us how he is feeling and how much pain he has flowing through him. That`s why he isn’t in this scene making us looks at it in Michaels point of view. Also Rooney knew that Sullivan was going to take revenge on him so it shows us by the way of his face reaction.

The sound that is used has blended in with the character`s and the viewer`s feeling. This is because the music that is used is gentle and calm which shows a sign of emotional pain and calmness because of the body language on the character`s face. However the music also blends in with the scene and this because Rooney knows what is going to happen and that’s why he is lost for words. Sam Mends has done it like this to show this shoot out scene inspires emotions rather than fear. This clever technique is called subversion. However comparing it to a typical shoot out scene the music is always fast pace and has a fast beat, which makes the character need to act fast bringing slight aggression to the characters. Looking at it from this point of view it makes u feel charged up giving you an electrifying jolt to your heart making you feel excited.

Sam Mendes has truly explored the conflicting themes of hatred and fear and has completely created a new perspective to a shootout scene. Looking at this scene it makes the viewer feel contemplative about life and puts you in the position of the good guy. Comparing it to a traditional shoot out scene, it is always jammed packed with action, fighting and fast pace music rarely giving you time to catch your breath, but with “Road to Perdition” it is more tragedy, emotional and calm. Also this particular scene has blended really well with the rest of the film and has filled it up like cement when used with bricks. However my thoughts are that I still prefer traditional shoot out scene because all of the techniques that are used charges the viewer up for instance like the music that is being played, the sounds that are used, the way it has been shot. But at times people do prefer a little bit of change. My opinion would be to go with a subverted traditional shoot out scene.

Shehzad siddique