Directed by Denis Villeneuve(Dune), Sicario is a gripping 2015 crime thriller that delves into the murky world of the drug war along the U.S.-Mexico border. With intense performances, stark cinematography, and a haunting score, Sicario offers a brutal yet compelling exploration of morality, justice, and the thin line between right and wrong.
What to Watch Out For:
Moral Ambiguity
Three-Act Structure
Mise en Scène
Discussion Questions:
Three-Act Structure:
How does Sicario utilize the three-act structure to build tension and develop its narrative? Identify the key turning points that transition the story from one act to the next.Hero’s Journey/Story Circle:
While Kate Macer appears to be the protagonist, whose hero’s journey are we really following in Sicario? Analyze how this character’s journey aligns with the stages of the Hero’s Journey/Story Circle.Mise en Scène:
How do the film’s visual elements, such as lighting, color, and composition, enhance the storytelling? Choose a specific scene or sequence and analyze how these elements contribute to the mood and themes.Personal Preference:
Did you like Sicario? Why or why not?------
If you need help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kOfDh5zF4c
1.) Sicario brilliantly utilizes multiple climaxes to outline a three-act structure while simultaneously building tension and developing its narrative. The first act sets up Kate’s motivation for joining Matt’s team and reinforces the idea that she’s not ready for whatever his team is planning for. Kate’s uncertainty builds tension as the audience is put in her position, essentially left in the dark when it comes to what’s going on, or what Matt, Alejandro, and his team are planning. The first act culminates in a harrowing shootout on the border, endangering the lives of numerous civilians and almost in Kate’s death. This is the moment where she realizes just how dangerous her new position is, and that she can’t do everything “by the book”. The second act follows Kate as she works with the team to unearth the secrets of the cartel, finding out just how big their chain of command is along the way. The constant discovery of new horrors and excruciating details not only makes the second act more visceral than the first, but it also keeps the audience engaged and builds tension as they try to anticipate what might happen next. The second act culminates in a romantic meeting gone awry, as Kate soon discovers that a guy she met at a bar named Ted, is actually working for the cartel and is looking to assassinate Matt or Alejandro. This climax also reveals that the team used Kate as bait to lure Ted out into the open, a twist that reveals just how far Matt and Alejandro will go to stop the cartel. The third act forces Kate to work with the team in a high-pressure shootout that takes place within the cartel’s underground tunnels. The buildup to this moment is intentionally drawn out, which along with the pitch-black corridors and narrow pathways of the tunnels only add to the escalating tension. The third act’s climax happens when Kate makes a “wrong turn” and discovers Alejandro forcing a corrupt officer into a police car. Determined to do things by the book, she draws her weapon and threatens Alejandro to let go of the officer, only for Alejandro to shoot Kate in response, nearly killing her, and making his escape in the process. This marks the end of the third act as the movie transitions into its final, less intense scenes.
ReplyDelete2.) Although Kate Macer appears to be Sicario’s protagonist, it’s actually Alejandro who follows the traditional monomyth, or hero’s journey, just not in the way we’re used to. Almost all of Sicario is told from Kate’s perspective, meaning that bits and pieces of Alejandro’s journey are mentioned, but never outright shown to the audience, his journey remaining fragmented and uncertain until the end of the movie. After the shootout in the mines, Matt mentions that Alejandro has one objective: to get to the man who killed his wife and daughter, which in this case, is Alarcon. The death of his family was Alejandro’s call to adventure, kickstarting the rest of his journey as he meets Matt, his partner/mentor. It is after this point that Alejandro crosses into the “special world” and joins Matt’s task force, the trials and tribulations he faces being the cartel and their protection of Alarcon. After tracking Alarcon down and raiding his house, Alejandro gets his reward, killing the cartel leader’s family, and later, Alarcon himself. The very end of the movie shows Alejandro in the exact same spot he started the hero’s journey in, alone and aimless as he leaves Kate in her hotel room, thus completing the cycle of the monomyth.
3.) The border ambush scene and its buildup excellently demonstrates how to utilize the camera to tell a story, ramping up the tension and keeping the audience engaged throughout the entire sequence while also demonstrating the brutality of conflict. Before the shootout, it’s mentioned that the most likely place for the cartel to attack will be at the border, and once the caravan arrives, they’re essentially trapped behind a massive wall of traffic. The aerial shots of the traffic ahead highlight just how dire the situation is, informing the audience that the characters are now isolated and out in the open. The camera cuts to Kate, who quickly scans the surrounding cars for any sign of danger, but her focus is almost scattered, represented by the wide shot and no particular emphasis on a single vehicle, keeping the camera still behind her. However, the camera soon locks onto the different drivers of each car, signaling to the audience what they need to focus on. The two suspected cars are red and green, demonstrating how color is utilized to make the cartel’s vehicles stand out, contrasting against the other black, white, and blue cars. Civilian cars also obstruct the vehicles that the camera focuses on, creating tension and intrigue as the audience wonders who the suspects are. In this moment, each shot is still, focusing on the characters and emphasizing their discomfort. The camera also switches perspectives, revealing the suspect’s true intentions by using an insert shot to highlight the suspects’ firearms. As Alejandro and the team exit the vehicle, the camera cuts six times in rapid succession, mirroring the moment’s frantic pace and Kate’s disorientation. Upon confronting the cartel members, multiple shots utilize varying levels of zoom to build tension, until it eventually boils over into a startling burst of bullets that also utilize quick cuts to reflect the frenetic and brutal nature of the conflict. Finally, as the camera cuts back to Kate in the SUV, color is utilized once more to highlight the federal behind her, their black clothing differentiating them from the rest of the officers as well as the bright surroundings. Black is often used to represent evil and corruption, foreshadowing the Mexican Police’s role in assisting Alarcon and developing the movie’s themes of moral ambiguity. Overall, the border ambush scene is a brilliant example of smart cinematography and color being used to tell a movie’s story and expand upon its themes.
Delete4.) I enjoyed this movie way more than I thought I would. I already love Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movies, so finding out that he directed this upon reaching the credits was absolutely shocking to me, just because it feels much grittier than the two other movies of his that I’ve seen. It’s also one of the better action movies that I’ve seen in a while, the constant use of tension and confusion really kept me engaged throughout the entire film. The fact that nothing really seems to make sense until the end is also really cool, as it definitely gives the movie some rewatch value once you know what each character’s motives are. Great movie, great director, and some absolutely amazing scenes!!
1. Sicario’s three-act structure builds tension and develops its narrative by following the traditional progression of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The first act begins with the opening scenes’ exposition, where Macer’s team raids a suspected cartel safe-house where they believe hostages are being held. No hostages are to be found, but Macer’s team discovers tens if not hundreds of decaying corpses sealed in the walls, along with a trap door rigged with explosives that brutally kills two agents. The failed raid and loss of her teammates enrage Macer and serve as an inciting incident, leading her to join a task force aiming to apprehend Manuel Diaz, the member of the Sonora Cartel who owned the house they infiltrated. The second act and rising action begins as the team forms their plan to force Diaz to return to Mexico, going as far as kidnapping his brother and freezing his bank accounts. In the third act, the film draws near its peak as the team prepares to infiltrate an underground tunnel that the cartel smuggles drugs through. This is where Macer learns of the mission’s true objective, leading the character Alejandro to Fausto Alarcon, the head of the cartel, so that he may avenge his wife and daughter that Alarcon had killed. Alejandro takes an officer hostage at gunpoint and forces him to pull Diaz over. Alejandro then forces Diaz to take him to his boss and the mission’s true target, Fausto Alarcon. In the climax of the film, Alejandro confronts Fausto while he dines with his family, brutally killing his wife and sons right in front of him so that he can feel the same pain that he caused him. In the third act and falling action, Alejandro finds Macer in her apartment and forces her to sign off on a document stating that the team’s operation was completely legal, before disappearing.
ReplyDelete2. Despite the initial introduction of Kate Macer as the central character, Sicario revolves around the hero’s journey of Alejandro Gillick. Alejandro’s call to adventure arrives when his life is forever changed by the brutal murders of his wife and daughter at the hands of the Sonora cartel. He abandons his life as a prosecutor in Juarez to become a hitman and takes justice into his own hands, swearing vengeance upon the men responsible for the death of his family. He becomes a valuable asset to the joint task force headed by CIA Special Activities Division director Matt Graver, however, they receive assistance in the form of FBI agent Kate Macer. Macer is brought aboard to legalize the team’s interference in cartel activity between the U.S.-Mexican border, as the CIA cannot operate on U.S. soil without another agency’s involvement. With the addition of Macer, the team is able to depart to Juarez from El Paso to capture Guillermo Diaz, the brother of cartel lieutenant Manuel Diaz, in hopes of getting valuable information out of him and causing enough disruption to force his brother to return to Mexico- and in turn lead them to his boss and their true target, Fausto Alarcon.
2. (cont.) With Guillermo in custody, Alejandro enters the trials portion of his journey when cartel gunmen surround them while they’re stuck in traffic, attempting to prevent them from crossing the border and taking their prisoner back to the U.S. However, the team is able to eliminate the threat and return to base safely. Once back in El Paso, Alejandro interrogates and presumably tortures Guillermo until he reveals the location of an underground tunnel utilized by the cartel to smuggle drugs. The team then freezes all of Manuel Diaz’s accounts, seizing millions of dollars in the process, and effectively forcing him to return to Mexico to meet with Alcaron. Alejandro then begins his approach as the task force infiltrates the tunnel, where he takes corrupt police officer Silvio hostage despite Macer’s attempts to stop him. They then depart in Silvio’s patrol car, with Alejandro giving his captive directions toward Diaz’s car and forcing him to pull him over at gunpoint. As soon as Diaz complies with the order to exit his vehicle, Alejandro disposes of Silvio to take him prisoner instead, ordering him to take him to Alarcon’s house.
DeleteAlejandro then faces his crisis as he attempts to infiltrate the Alarcon home, gunning down the guards surrounding the property in the process before finding Fausto enjoying a quiet dinner outside with his family. He then confronts them and swiftly executes Fausto’s wife and sons right before his eyes and in turn kills him, securing his treasure of revenge for the tragic loss of his own family. After accomplishing his objective, Alejandro returns to the U.S. and corners Macer in her apartment, holding her at gunpoint and forcing her to sign a document stating that all operations carried out by the task force were legal and by the book. With Macer’s report signed, the mission is resolved, and Alejandro is free to begin his new life and travel to wherever his skills may be needed next.
3. 3. Sicario’s infamous “time to meet God” scene at 1:44:00-1:47:42 utilizes lighting, shot sizes, and sound effects to create a tense and highly climactic scene. The sequence begins with a wide shot of Alejandro dressed in full tactical gear, emerging from the shadows of the Alarcons’ courtyard while a low, foreboding tone plays. As he marches over to their table, Alejandro’s dark costume and threatening presence sharply contrast the low, warm lighting surrounding the table meant to evoke feelings of comfort, safety, and relaxation as they enjoy a quiet meal. Alejandro then draws his weapon as he reaches the edge of the porch, aiming it toward Fausto- the man he’s been after all along. The camera follows Alejandro over Fausto’s shoulder and slowly pans to the right as he pulls out a seat opposite Alarcon, his position at the table highly confrontational to him and signifying his power and control over the situation. The camera shifts between medium close-up shots of Alejandro and Fausto as they discuss the brutal murders of Alejandro’s wife and daughter ordered by Alarcon. As Fausto fears Alejandro has come to kill him, his eyes nervously dart to his sons, and he begs him “Not in front of my boys”. Alejandro’s expression remains stoic, with eyes locked on Fausto as he says “Time to meet God”, firing his weapon twice to his left and once to his right. The sound of bodies thudding against the tile can be heard, but the execution of the Alarcons’ is not shown on screen, opting to center the camera on Fausto’s face as he experiences the same terror and pain that he caused Alejandro. Only the chirping of crickets can be heard as the camera shifts back to a wide shot of the table, where the bodies of Fausto’s wife and sons lay dead on the floor with blood spatter littering the walls and floor. Alejandro raises his weapon back to Fausto as he commands him to finish his meal. Frozen in shock, Fausto can only stare wide-eyed back at Alejandro, which quickly angers him. The camera stays on Alejandro as he shoots Fausto presumably in the throat, hinted by the distressing choking heard in the background, and then in the head, killing him. The screen then blackens, as the climax has been reached and Alejandro’s true mission is completed at last.
Delete4. I enjoyed Sicario way more than I initially expected to. I feel that the movie had a very complex, well-written plot and was perfectly paced. It also deals with themes such as corruption and loss of innocence that are deeply thought-provoking to the audience and force you to question why you view some levels or types of violence as acceptable and others as tragic. However, I did find Emily Blunt’s portrayal of Kate Macer to be grating at times. While I understand the role her character serves in the storyline, it's hard not to be annoyed by the ways she hinders the team’s mission and gets herself into trouble. I especially wished that Alejandro and Macer’s characters had a better relationship. While Alejandro served as somewhat of a protector to Macer at times, they overall had a very disconnected and apathetic partnership and I wished they could’ve created a sort of mentor/mentee dynamic where they each learned from each other and grew as people after working together, but maybe that’s me wanting the classic and cliched ending where the partners who can’t stand each other learn to get along.
1. Not only does Sicario use the three act structure to build tension and develop it narrative. Sicario exploits it, as the build and rise to tension is so sudden and a continuous rise upwards that the amount of tension that builds to the climax of the movie is so engaging. That when they get to the climax of the film your so interested and captivated by the movie and action going on screen that its hard to look away. As the first act establishes the cartel infiltration and how big they are and Kate's presence, to then Act two being Kate and everyone finds out the secrets of the Cartel and unravels their plans and stirs chaos in their world just as they wanted. While the third act brings the resolution of the movie as Kate is conflicted with the actions of those around her and the movie ties it all together, bring the movie to a resolve. Going from building the tension up and developing the stories narrative. To non stop fighting and action and "Bad" decisions that warrant not being brought into the light that Kate is bearing witness too. To the end of the movie as after the action is all done it all resolves with the movie ending after the gunshots and the cartel members kid playing soccer.
ReplyDelete2.While we are supposed to believe that journey we are following is Kates. I believe it is actually Alejandro that we follow. This character aligns with the hero's journey as he goes through each of the steps. Called to action by the killing of his family of revenge. and then followed the rest of the steps. All through his journey we follow how his backstory allowed for him to be made. Falling and getting back up to kill anyone to get to the head and kill the head drug member. All leading to his reward of sweet revenge. Closing the ends as he returns to his normal word and goes to Kate.
3. The Mise en scene at 136:11 as Kate is on the dirt mound after being "betrayed" by those around her. Telling her she should've have done what she did and she brought the pain of knowing on herself. The Mise en Scene in this scene shows how hurt she in not only in her facial expressions but how beat up she looks. as the cameras main focus is on her face with a Boca backround. There being no background music or noice other than the man talking down to her. All of this just amplifies the scene.
4. I enjoyed this movie. It had an intense story, that kept me engaged, and some dark twist that added to the overall watching for me. It made me wonder what the actual end goal was, keeping me second guessing at what would really happen. Why they needed to lie and force Kate to say it was all sanction and if the whole underground opp was just an outing for alejandro to get the the cartel boss to get his revenge. Overall I enjoyed watching this movie.
1. The film Sicario uses the three act structure to build tension by allowing the viewer to follow along directly with this film tactic that has been used for many generations. In act one The film introduces FBI agent Kate Macer who is involved in a disastrous drug raid in Arizona that uncovers victims hidden in a house. In act two the previous events lead to her participation in a more dangerous mission against a drug cartel. As Kate works with a task force she faces increasingly intense and morally complex situations grappling with their aggressive tactics. The turning point comes during a tense border crossing operation where the task force seizes a drug shipment deepening Kate’s understanding of the mission’s true nature. The scene highlights the moral and ethical conflicts Kate faces as the task force’s ruthless methods become apparent. In act three the climax occurs when Kate learns about Alejandro’s personal vendetta and the brutal reality of his actions. This revelation forces Kate to confront the harsh realities and moral compromises of the drug war.
ReplyDelete2. Alejandro starts in a state of loss and personal vendetta. We learn through backstory that he is a former prosecutor whose family was brutally murdered by the drug cartels. Alejandro's call to adventure is his involvement in the task force's mission to dismantle the drug cartel. Alejandro does not explicitly refuse the call but operates under a facade of cooperating with the task force. His true motives are hidden from both Kate and the audience signifying an internal struggle. In this narrative Alejandro does not have a traditional mentor but rather partners with Matt and becomes an unlikely guide to Kate. Alejandro crosses the threshold into the dangerous world of the drug cartel operations with the task force’s aggressive tactics. Throughout the mission Alejandro faces numerous tests including violent confrontations and moral dilemmas. Alejandro’s approach to the cave involves a high-risk plan to infiltrate and dismantle the cartel. The ordeal for Alejandro is the climactic confrontation where he must face the cartel’s leaders and exact his revenge. The reward for Alejandro is the fulfillment of his vengeance against the cartel members responsible for his family's murder. Alejandro's road back is marked by his return to a more subdued and concealed life after achieving his goal. Alejandro’s resurrection occurs in the final confrontation with Kate where his true nature and motives are fully revealed. Alejandro’s return to the status quo is not a traditional happy ending but a return to his life marked by both the completion of his mission and the irreversible transformation it has caused.
3. The lighting in the border crossing scene is harsh and naturalistic which goes to enhancing the real-world feel of the environment. Daylight and shadows create a immediate sense of danger. The color scheme is muted with browns grays and dusty yellows which emphasize the gritty atmosphere. Wide shots and long takes capture the desserty border area highlighting the scale and potential violence of the operation. These visuals show the high stakes of the operation. The harsh lighting and muted colors set a mood of tension and danger. This visual style reflects the harsh realities of the drug war and the moral complex faced by the characters. Overall the scene's raw visuals emphasize the ethical challenges and moral compromises of the mission.
4. I loved Sicario and it has become my new favorite movie of all the ones i have recently watched. My personal favorite movies are the gritty movies that hold nothing back when it comes to the realistic visuals and brutal nature of combat and revenge. This movie does all of that perfectly and more with an amazing story and a deep protagonist who is beaten and battered while trying to face the harsh reality of her profession. The side character of Alejandro has to be one of my favorite character's of all time beside Anton Chigurh from No Country For Old Men. Overall, this movie is amazing and i love it
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ReplyDelete1. Sicario utilizes the three-act structure to build tension and develop its narrative by creating mystery and uncertainty. Act 1 or the beginning is from the opening scene until the group enters Mexico. It establishes the stakes and gives an outline of their plan. Act 1 contains the exposition of the rest of the coming movie. Act 2 stretches from the arrival in Mexico all the way to when the team infiltrates the tunnel. Act 2 covers the majority of plot development. It sees the characters go through their adventure and get closer to their goal. It contains the climax, the infiltration of the tunnel, and the bulk of explanations to the characters’ questions. Act 3 ranges from Alejandro’s split from the rest of the team to the conclusion of the movie. It contains not only the end but also the resolution of the story. Through the acts, mystery and uncertainty arrises, Kate and Reggie spend the majority of the movie trying to understand their mission and find the true objective of the operation. This mystery carries over to the viewer who is uncertain about the events themselves. This uncertainty builds tension throughout the film and makes the plot twists impactful due their unpredictable nature.
Delete2. Although Kate Mercer appears to be the protagonist, Sicario follows the hero’s journey of Alejandro. His wife and daughter’s death at the hands of Alarcon serve as his call to adventure. He gains assistance from and enters the “special world” when they enter Mexico. He faces trials trying to find Alarcon and each trial leads him closer to finding him. Alarcon serves as his treasure and the result is his death. Following enacting his revenge on Alarcon, Alejandro returns to America and the status quo is altered by Kate signing his paper that states they did everything by the book. While we may be following Kate Mercer through Sicario. Alejandro’s story goes through all the sections of the hero’s journey and at the end, he is the one who accomplishes his goals.
3. The tunnel entering scene (1:24:03 - 1:29:17) uses the lighting to amplify the suspense. During this scene, it’s night and the characters are majorly unable to be seen. Outside of thermal camera scenes or night vision scenes, which are also majority dark, the characters are just silhouettes in the night. During this scene, the stakes are high as it sees the beginning of the climax and turning point of the movie, the hunt for Maneul Diaz. The tension and uncertainty for what lies ahead are high. The inability to see the characters and the overall dark environment adds to this uncertainty. It builds suspense and mystery as the viewer is unable to fully see the characters and their surroundings, amplifying the mood and invoking feeling on the viewer.
4. I liked Sicario but not as much as other movies I’ve seen. Overall the plot was intriguing and the action did keep me engaged. But there were many moments, mainly of exposition, that I just found empty. From their tunnel infiltration onward, every moment kept me engaged, but for the first hour and a half of the movie there were many moments that just didn’t grab me. I would still say I enjoyed the movie as a whole but I definitely identify that personally, I found flaws in it.
1. Sicario’s usage of the three-act structure is evident throughout the film working to develop its story and build tension. The film’s first act starts with Kate Macer being introduced as the protagonist of the story and joining a task force. She soon learns that instead of simply going to El Paso, she’s been withheld information. The first act ends with a shootout on the north side of the border, the climax leading into the second act. The second act begins with Kate arguing with Matt, the person who recruited her onto the task force, about what just happened at the border. Kate ultimately doesn’t have any information about what this mission entails nor about who Matt is. The act ends with Kate discovering the true nature of the mission and what they’re really doing, realizing that she’s purely there to serve as a ‘permit’ for the rest of the team to do what they’re doing without consequences. The third act is essentially just rounding off the story, Alejandro makes his way to avenge his wife and daughter’s deaths, however, the entire sequence acts as a conclusion to the story, an end to the events taking place throughout the movie. The third act, in tandem with the film, ends with the final scene of Alejandro breaking into Kate’s apartment and forcing her to sign off on everything the task force has done, which she does.
ReplyDelete2. While Kate Macer is the protagonist of the film, we see Alejandro’s character follow the typical hero’s journey. It’s learned early in the film that Alejandro was once a prosecutor in Juárez, Mexico, where his wife and daughter were killed by the hands of the cartel. It’s then that he abandons his normal life and goes into the ‘special world,’ that being his new lifestyle of a ‘sicario’ (hitman), for anyone who’s willing to hire him. It’s later when he joins Matt’s task force that we see the trials part of the journey. The first trial in the film is when the task force gets into a gunfight on the border, they deal with it easily however Kate Macer doesn’t take it well, leading to the abyss. Alejandro saved Kate from a man named Ted who was strangling her. The task force gains information about a tunnel leading directly into Mexico, they take the tunnel into Mexico where Alejandro eventually makes his way to the man who killed his family. He kills the man and his family, taking vengeance for his wife and daughter, signifying the atonement in his journey. The film doesn’t go into what happens with his character after he avenges his family, however, his ‘reward’ is the vengeance he got for his family.
3. In the final scene, Alejandro holds Kate Macer at gunpoint as he forces her to sign off on everything the task force did, blatantly going against her morals. The colors in the scene are dull, even the sunset (?) outside. The clothes, the paint on the walls, everything in the scene is made up of greys and muted shades of the few colors there are. The lighting in the scene is used to develop the contrast between Alejandro and Kate’s characters. Alejandro has shadows covering his face while Kate has the light shining on hers. This contrast between the two characters visually shows how Alejandro has put the light behind him and Kate openly accepts it.
Delete4. I personally really enjoyed the film in most aspects. In some parts, I feel the writing could have been developed a bit more. One key example I noticed was Matt’s character in its entirety, his main role is hiring Kate and being the person she complains to, beyond that he didn’t really