Week 5 – Perception- Film Critique

Week 5 – Perception: Film Critique

The most fundamental aspect instrumental in analyzing the story of a film is through evaluating the plot of the film which can be complex, simple, timeless or believable. Further, investigating the characters and symbolic elements is vital in comprehending the story in the film (Conklin, 2004). In Olympus Has Fallen time is handled in a linear sense. It is also crucial to note that the climax and denouement are revealed in a believable manner. Additionally, the film accentuates a sense of believability by portraying the universal truth of the world as it is. This follows from current terrorist threats to the United States and the world at large especially from the North Korea extremists (Eagan, 2013). These aspects make film generally believable and alleviate the viewer’s doubt so as to enjoy the movie.

In carrying out a critical evaluation of a film it is vital to consider its genre. It is imperative to note that the genre classification of a film carries with it an instantaneous recognition of given accepted truths about the film. The genre of the film is successful by either following these given concords or by simply breaking them (Boggs & Petrie, 2004). Olympus Has Fallen can be said to belong solely to one particular genre, specifically the political thriller film. However, the film can be said to have borrowed some cinematic elements from action films subject to the violence aspects in the film. While Fuqua does not present any new grounds in the political thriller genre, Olympus Has Fallen demonstrates a very taut, sharp adventure that manages to keep the audience engrossed from the beginning to the end. Adding splendidly to the suspense is the excellent visual effects and surprising twists the film delivers.

The fights and the violence in the film are poorly choreographed which demonstrates the movie as an apparatus for delivering bereavement. From the film, splattered skulls, crushing bodies in the debris and disintegrating limbs from high-caliber bullets has demonstrated an ugly, grin film although it does demonstrate to a greater extent the fears and realities emanating from terrorist threats (Eagan, 2013). Contrary, during the climax and at the end of the film, the greatest lesson portrayed is that America prevails and that the terrorist attacks and threats cannot disintegrate the American spirit and extremists heinous acts cannot infringe upon the citizen’s freedom.