What Makes A Film ‘Good’?
Throughout the history of film and filmmaking, there are certain examples that – thanks to their composition and writing – have dominated their era; be it ‘Citizen Kane’ and Orson Welles’ revolutionization of cinematography with his use of wide angle lenses and rear projection, or Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’; with a powerful plot-twist, a bone-chilling musical score, and a performance rivaling that of even modern film. In this essay I will be comparing micro and macro aspects of the hit flick ‘Morbius’ to what truly defines a film as ‘good’.
Micro elements of a film surround the process of production, effects, editing, audio mixing and cinematography. The use of micro elements within a movie can impact the mood, create tension within a scene or the narrative, and set the pace for scenes involving combat, fast-paced movements and slow-motion shots. Take this for example; the combat scenes presented within ‘Morbius’ – where the titular character tears through eight mercenary characters, in a combination of slow-motion and quick action shots that provide gory detail to his movements whilst still retaining the breakneck speed of his vicious attacks. Director Daniel Espinosa also made use of dark, moody lighting, deep cyans and crimsons throughout production to further accentuate aspects of the horror genre, the editing maintaining the pace of the main plot and subplots. In addition, Swedish composer Jon Ekstrand creates an eerie, ominous score that raises tension, enhances the action within the film, and keeps an audience engrossed through dramatic moments involving flashbacks and scenes that have a more intimate setting. The CGI throughout the film is also impeccable, displaying realistic transformations as the two ‘pseudo-vampires’ move and change form throughout the picture, keeping a viewer absorbed in the narrative.
Macro elements of film involve the actors’ performance, writing, setting, and plot. These factors are more the deciding factors in how ‘good’ a film truly turns out to be, the word ‘macro’ referring to being larger. Examples of these factors within ‘Morbius’ include actor Jared Leto’s method acting processes – placing himself in similar stresses to his role, losing weight to portray his character with more authenticity, and regaining it after the character’s transformation, typically resulting in leaving an audience with a more realistic, grounded version of the character portrayed. The setting also has another important role; the use of more nighttime scenes toward the final acts of ‘Morbius’ adding to the frightening environment that built up during its runtime, showcasing the vibrant, yet brooding atmosphere of New York City. Furthermore, the dramatic plot of the film strays from the source material, following a dying scientist struggling to find a cure for a rare blood disease that has been plaguing him and many others since birth, only then for said cure to come with superhuman abilities – and a grave cost; an overwhelming desire to feed on human blood. The plot poses a conflict of mortality against morality, and how far a ‘good man’ might go to survive in an unforgiving world where his only sustenance is those around him.
In conclusion, what truly makes a film ‘good’ is a balance between both micro and macro elements and originality, not so much that it ‘needs’ to revolutionize the film world, but enough to move and inspire their audience, and deliver its message effectively, concisely, and while producing a truly invigorating experience that leaves audiences wanting more.
