Close Textual analysis of a scene from Elysium

The same establishing shot used to display the carnage of Earth was also used to flaunt the glamour of the space shuttle of Elysium. This is interesting because it accentuates the contrast between the two settings. The resounding contrast in colour between both places also establish contrast between lavish and decaying. On the ravaged earth there is the prominent use of the colour brown. This choice of colour implies that there is famine thus implying poverty. On the contrary, the space shuttle, Elysium, is in abundance of crops with the dominant colour of blue and green. This use of primary colours represents a purity as well as a sense of wholesomeness which. On earth, the overcrowding is very evident as seen with the people living off the sides of the skyscrapers therefore accentuating this sense of poverty. With the use of the long shot, the buildings are made parallel with a decaying plant. This is done through the buildings having rubble stemming from the sides as well as the prominent use of colour black. The slow pace editing allows the audience to bask and to internalise the extremity of the contrast between the two settings. The use of positional communication further outlines the contrast between earth and Elysium. Elysium is placed above earth, looking down on earth thus creating heavenly as well as religious connotations. It creates the sense that the space shuttle is like heaven and for beings that are celestial and are holy. The fact that such a heavy contrast created right from the offset of the film, it instantly creates a binary opposition. This therefore acts as an enigma code for audiences as questions are raised as how earth has got into such a state. The establishing shot of the space station, makes it clear from the get go that this film belongs to the science fiction genre because the futuristic feel as well as the very typical setting of space in the science fiction genre. 

Through this contrast, it exposes the inequalities of wealth. This is created through the massive contrast in wealth; being extreme poverty to excessive wealth. Additionally, this opening sequence acts as social commentary. This is because in modern day society, social inequalities is becoming more and more evident, this supported by the rise in the pay gap. 



    

When both the protagonist and his helper infiltrate the space shuttle's main system room the choice of the colour white for all the appliances in the room shows how the space shuttle is for the pure and the holy because the colour has implications of purity. Also, the use of editing to create the slow motion of the special forces team trying prevent the coup, enhances the climax that is happening because it makes the whole situation more significant. This use of slow motion coupled with the opera music playing in the back accentuates the climax but also this use of parallel it makes the protagonist's sacrifice more moving and sentimental. Additionally, slow motion is used at the end when Max slowly dies. This intensifies the feeling of sorrow and emotion that the audience would feel towards Max's death because the audience are left slowly watching Max's death.   Moments before Max sacrifices himself for the sake of equality, he looks out the window to see Earth. This point of view shot of Max looking over the earth makes his sacrifice synonymous with the crucifixion of Jesus. This is because Max died for the sake of the Earth, just like Jesus this use of internationality further makes Max's sacrifice moving. The flash backs into the beginning of the film, to when he was a child creates a sense that death is near because it shows how he is looking over his life which therefore makes the ending much more climatic as well as emotional.