Reading Response by Rob DiChristofano

I may be one of the few, but I tend to view movies as pure entertainment. As such it's not until after the ending or a second viewing that I'm able to begin analyzing and thinking about the movie critically. Shots and direction are important in movies, however there are many more films which small details aren't nearly as important as the focus of the scene.

As an example -- recently I've watched the Transporter trilogy. These films are textbook action movies and what the director wants the viewer to see, they see. Whether it's from editing or film techniques there isn't a whole lot of higher thinking or impressive overlay. I wouldn't say there weren't conscious decisions made while creating the movie -- for instance, that the main character Jason Statham, always wears a simple black and white suit for jobs, says something about his character that doesn't need to be described verbatim. When you compare that to the 'such-and-such' crew he busts up relatively quickly, all that the viewer needs to know is that they are wearing very similar clothing, suggesting they are some sort of gang or order.

"Nothing in a work is accidental" is a wise phrase, even with such a simple movie, most of the scene serves to give background to a character. Statham's character drives a BMW (I forget the exact model), but aside from being referenced by a police inspector all it serves as is an extension of his character. Immaculate and precise, which frankly, could be served by probably a hundred other cars. However aside from character design, there is no deeper meaning in the film to be found. It is simply one to be enjoyed for what it is, a slightly over-the-top action movie. Some critics argue that this film should be acknowledged as "junk" so that the viewer can enjoy it, in this case there is no "skimming" of meaning, as described by Lotman. This is the type of movie that a viewer will not get much more out of the second viewing, aside from being entertained. These types of work strengthen my own opinion about films which have more to offer and get me thinking critically.