Movie Analysis Paper

Sorry, I couldn't get a movie clip to go along with this paper.

Sidney Tan

Per 1AB
6/16/09
Mrs. Wecker
Limitless Boundaries
As we go throughout our lives, we all have goals that we wish to accomplish. Though some may seem like they are impossible, if one is dedicated and sets their mind to it, one will find that all goals are achievable. In the movie Pearl Harbor, directed by Michael Bay, the director portrays the message that goals are achievable and will be accomplished once you are dedicated and determined. He portrays this message by using a series of camera angles and techniques and using symbols in the opening scene of the movie.

Michael Bay shows through the first scene that the two boys, who serve as the main characters throughout the movie, aspire to be pilots. Through the use of the symbols of the airplane and the rundown car “airplane” that the boys play in, Michael Bay shows that when a person chases their dreams, no mater how impossible it may seem, if they are persistent and stick to it, it is possible. The airplane in the beginning of the movie symbolizes the two boys’ hopes and dreams. With an airplane, a sense of freedom and limitless boundaries is often thought of. Because of this association, the plane essentially symbolizes the two boys’ hopes and imaginations. As the plane is seen in the first few moments, it is immediately contrasted with the boys on the ground in a car that they made out to be an airplane. This contrast shows how much the real world and their world is different and that if they want to accomplish their goals, there is a lot of growing up to do and a lot of maturity that needs to be gained. But through this contrast, we also see the boys’ determination and thrive to become successful.

Michael Bay also shows how one’s goals seemingly impossible goals are accomplishable by using a series of camera shots and techniques. In the opening scene, the director uses a lot of long shots of the airplane which makes the audience feel distanced from it. By having the plane represent hope, the audience feels as if hope is far away. By having long shots of the plane, it seems as if it is too far away and that it is not reachable. Throughout the scene, the camera captures the plane getting progressively closer and closer until it finally lands in front of the two boys. The landing of this plane and the closer camera shots are symbolic of how the plane, which seemed far away just moments ago, is now reachable. Also as the plane is landing, a low angle shot is taken of the two boys observing the plane landing. As the plane flies overhead, a slow motion shot is taken as the boys follow the plane with their heads as they watch it land. By using the slow motion, it heightens the drama and it gives the audience a sense that the boys are envious of the plane. In other words, they are envious about their hopes and dreams. By doing this, it shows that with dedication and desire, goals can be achieved.

The way Michael Bay directed the opening scene of the movie Pearl Harbor is a fantastic depiction of what the rest of the movie will be like. The symbol of the airplane is used constantly throughout the movie as a symbol for dreams. The events that are shown in the opening scene also provide foreshadow of what the two boys’ lives will be like in the future. Michael Bay wanted to create a sense of hope for the audience and by using symbols and various camera angles and techniques, he showed that when one sets their mind on accomplishing a goal, no matter how unachievable it may seem, it is possible to succeed in reaching that goal.