Mise En Scene

 Hello Blog! My Mise En Scene is on Avengers: Infinity Wars

Scene 1: Thor Meets the Guardians

This is the scene where Thor first encounters the Guardians of the Galaxy. The setting itself says a lot about how worlds apart these characters have come from. The inside of the Guardians' ship is so bright and colorful, which is the opposite of the darkness of space and the wreckage Thor has just freed himself from. High-key lighting saturates the ship, enforcing the ship's clean and playful mood, and soft fill light and shadows on Thor's bruised body reassert his vulnerability and recent pain. Torn and battle-worn Asgardian armor of Thor exposes his conflicts, whereas in the Guardians, it is electric outfitting that exposes their irreverent characters. The composition of this shot places Thor slightly center and above, in focus, and marks the collision of two worlds that are disparate. In addition, the clutter of sci-fi props on the ship depicts the life of the Guardians in a very direct manner, while Thor's missing hammer ironically must be interpreted as his loss and displacement.

Scene 2: Thanos on Titan

This placement of Thanos on the planet Titan shows his idea of balance with what is a dry and barren planet is met by Thanos, the one who is trying to find balance in the universe. The post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the scenery is reflective of his philosophy, a future turning point of his genocidal tendencies. Low-key lighting overtakes the scene while dark shadows are not so dominant. Orange-red hues are also visible which give a sense of danger. His golden attire speaks heavily about his godly character, unlike the less flashy costumes of Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Spider-Man, who are human. Depth of field in the composition perfectly placed Thanos as an intimidating figure. The wide shots of the scattered heroes portrayed them symbolically well and showed visually their demise and weakness. 

Scene 3: Battle Of Wakanda

The Battle of Wakanda, which was filmed in a green natural setting, embodies the natural cultural pride and unity of Wakanda and Earth, in contrast to Thanos' metal army warships. Natural light on the battlefield symbolizes hope and persistence in the face of impossible odds; with growing battle. Wakandan warriors, like the Dora Milaje, come with intricately designed costumes in vibrant colors, showcasing a rich cultural heritage infused with advanced technological elements. Thanos' dark alien army, which is presented as the opposite of this, use darker colors to emphasize the final opposition of human beings. The composition often places Black Panther and Captain America in the center of the frame, taking the lead amidst an impossible situation. The Vibranium weapons and shields are significant props and advanced technology from Wakanda symbolize a sense of hope.

Scene 4: Gamora’s Sacrifice on Vormir

The tragedy and symbolism packed into the scene where Thanos sacrificed Gamora on Vormir was overwhelming. The sharp cliffs and the eerie blue-purple tone is ominous in the inevitability and sorrow of this sacrifice. Until Gamora falls, the cold, blue-purple lighting dominates the screen, then transitions into a red tint of blood to show the sacrifice and Thanos' cruel accomplishment. Gamora’s green skin and red hair stand out in this desolate environment through her positioning on the screen. Gamora is also the center of this tragic moment. Thanos has a dark costume, and its darkness seems to drain out all light in him and further evokes an ominous feeling. The verticality of setting-a steep cliff-performs an activity on the audience's eyes downward to denote Gamora's fall. Close-ups of their faces capture the deep emotional conflict in Thanos and despair in Gamora. The Soul Stone, coming after her death, turns into an emotionally resonating prop that shows the enormous cost of Thanos' ultimate plan.

Scene 5: The Snap

Through mise en scene, Thanos’ snap — one of the most haunting yet important moments throughout the entire movie — showcases the weight of his victory. The universe goes quiet as half of it disintegrates; it vividly exposes the contrast between the noise and chaotic fight that had just been waged and now the quiet aftermath of it. Dark, neutral lighting speaks to the lack of hope, with enriching deep shadows for emotional impact. The characters disintegrating into dust results in the loss of all bodily appearance into particles to enforce the nature of existence and just what was at stake when one faces the harsh effects of the snap. This creates drama and suspense. Close-ups were used for capturing the characters amidst a plethora emotions of confusion, fear, and sadness, fill their faces. The final shots compose Thanos with balance in warm lighting, sitting solo inside his sanctuary — which shows his satisfaction after the snap and that he is finally at peace after his gruesome plan had gone successful. The scratched Infinity Gauntlet is a prop which shows the immense cost his quest has come at.