X MEN EXAM QUESTIONS

1.    Explain 2 ways in which the narrative (characters and events) fits the action and adventure genre. Use examples from the extract.

The extract is a fantasy-superhero action adventure hybrid. I know this because the people in it have supernatural powers, such as Quicksilver slowing down time. It displays typical codes and conventions of this genre, such as speed and motion. Time is slowed down in the extract as Quicksilver races around the room. The bullets fired from the guns stop moving in mid-air and objects falling, like the oven trays and pans full of soup, hang in the air. Quicksilver runs around the room at a normal speed, showing his power to control speed and time. Combat and conflict is another typical convention shown in the extract. The soldiers hold guns and fire them at the men at the door, showing conflict between the two groups.

There are also typical action and adventure characters in the extract. For example, Quicksilver is an archetypal heroic protagonist. He saves the lives of the men by the door, including Wolverine, by using his powers to move the bullets on their path to kill them. This is a heroic act. He also stops the soldiers from attacking them again by making the soldiers punch themselves or fall over. These acts of heroism construct Quicksilver as the heroic protagonist, as well as his heroic qualities such as the fact he is calm, cool and collected under pressure, never displaying signs of panic. However, as he causes harm to others like the soldiers, even willing to kill suggests he could be an anti-hero. There are also villainous antagonists; the soldiers. They are constructed as antagonists because they are trying to kill the hero, Quicksilver, by shooting him as well as trying to kill his friends. They also vastly outnumber the hero and his friends they are trying to attack, positioning them as antagonists.

2.    Explain how the following are used to create effects, using examples from the extract:

·        Soundtrack

There is non-diegetic sound in the form of the music when Quicksilver runs around the room. The music is calm and delicate, with an acoustic guitar; it is not fast paced or dramatic. This creates the effect of a contrast between the life threatening situation he is in and the calm way he deals with it using his superpowers. It is an almost comical effect as the contrast is so great.

There are also diegetic sounds such as when time speeds up the sounds of the metal and glass hitting the floor and shattering. This loud, crashing sound is violent and brings the audience back to the real time action. The suddenness of the sound also highlights Quicksilver’s powers over time. 

·        Editing

There is CGI, such as all the objects being suspended in the air, like the bullets and the pots and pans. This emphasises the extraordinary powers that Quicksilver has as he can change and move things before they fall to the ground.

Slow motion is also used, for example, while Quicksilver is running around the walls it slows down as he sticks his finger in some soup. This emphasises his calm and collected manner as he stops to try food. It shows how he has complete control over the situation.

·        Camera work

There is a close up of Quicksilver’s face putting on a hat and then suddenly speeding away. The effect of this is to show how quickly Quicksilver can move; he is there one minute and gone the next.

There is also a bird’s eye view shot to show everyone and everything falling down to the ground, demonstrates the hero’s powers and the huge effect he can have. It contrasts with the situation before (the X men were going to die) and shows how Quicksilver has managed to turn the situation around using his incredible skill. It also heightens the drama as the huge impact of what he has done at the speed of light hits the audience.

·        Mise-en-scene

The extract is set in a kitchen, full of dangers objects like pots, pans, knives. This heightens the tension and drama as it sets up a dangerous situation full of potential hazards, creating suspense. The risk is high and this makes it more suspenseful for the audience watching, therefore engaging them in the action.

Quicksilver wears a leather jacket, a hat and dark glasses. The dark clothes create the effect of a mysterious being, which is built on by the fact he has these supernatural abilities. It constructs Quicksilver as a supernatural, maybe even dangerous but incredible character and so makes him interesting to the audience.