The now iconic 360 degree “bullet time” slow motion dolly shot is the
climax of the action, giving viewers a unique perspective of the two fighters’ super-human
abilities. This was a ramped up shot from the previous bullet time shot,
evolving from bullet dodging, to a more complex and advanced hand to hand
wrestle. There are many close-up shots, inviting viewers into the action and the
characters’ emotions. They also put emphasis on objects or significant
expressions and graphics, like when Neo had blood pouring out of his mouth. The
shots were relatively quick for an action scene, with an average length of 2.04
seconds per shot, with a total of 144 shots in the 294 second scene. This,
along with the fast-paced music, makes for an intense and action-packed scene.
The scene also contains several medium-shots on different angles, which allowed the audience to view the background setting as well as the intense combat skills. Zoom shots were used quite a bit as the fighting paused to allow the characters to openly express their emotions. Some shots linger for what could be classed as an excessive amount of time, like the bullet point shot that lasted 7 seconds and the fighting sequence where Agent Smith head-butted Neo, then continued to fight him onwards. 7 seconds was the longest shot length, but occurred on more than 2 occasions. The bullet firing shots contained quick and sharp medium shots and close-up shots, with one POV shot from Agent Smith’s perspective. Slow motion techniques were used to give the audience a perception of the skills and strength that both characters possessed. The scene where Agent Smith punches through the pillar lasted 2 seconds, and showed the audience the power he contained and how lethal both characters attacks were. The low wide-shots when Neo started high kicking Agent Smith expressed to the audience and on-lookers POV, to show the effectiveness of Neo’s kicks. Also the bullets being shot in the Bullet Point shot were ear piercing, giving the audience the feeling that they are in the characters’ shoes
The scene also contains several medium-shots on different angles, which allowed the audience to view the background setting as well as the intense combat skills. Zoom shots were used quite a bit as the fighting paused to allow the characters to openly express their emotions. Some shots linger for what could be classed as an excessive amount of time, like the bullet point shot that lasted 7 seconds and the fighting sequence where Agent Smith head-butted Neo, then continued to fight him onwards. 7 seconds was the longest shot length, but occurred on more than 2 occasions. The bullet firing shots contained quick and sharp medium shots and close-up shots, with one POV shot from Agent Smith’s perspective. Slow motion techniques were used to give the audience a perception of the skills and strength that both characters possessed. The scene where Agent Smith punches through the pillar lasted 2 seconds, and showed the audience the power he contained and how lethal both characters attacks were. The low wide-shots when Neo started high kicking Agent Smith expressed to the audience and on-lookers POV, to show the effectiveness of Neo’s kicks. Also the bullets being shot in the Bullet Point shot were ear piercing, giving the audience the feeling that they are in the characters’ shoes
Combat from the scene.