Applying Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium

For this task I have chosen Clark Johnson's S.W.A.T. (2003)

1) Who are the agents?

Protagonist: Jim Street (Colin Farrell)

Antagonist: Brian Gamble (Jeremy Renner)

2) The equilibrium

Whilst presenting the film company and producers involved (Original Film and Columbia Pictures) the is an audio overlay of a police radio, with the hyped reports of various police. This immediately unrests the viewer, and then when the visuals of a police helicopter flies over a scene of a bank robbery, where there is gunfire, the equilibrium is officially broken.

There is an establishing shot of the famous Hollywood sign on the mountain side, with the camera moving over the mountain. A LS, steadicam is next, showing a mess of birds flying around, as though panicing and it is folowed by another LS, high angle from a helicopter, showing a distressed woman running for her life. We get a handheld ELS, showing a masked bank robber shooting at the police with a light machine gun, the sound of gunfire here helps to set the chaotic vibe. The camera then zooms to an LS of the robber, and with the handheld effect it unsteadies the viewer. The first MS is shows a policeman ducking behind the door of his car, closely follwed by several gunshots going into the windscreen. There is an LS whip pan from the robebrs to a police officer who attempts to advance towards a vehicle for cover. The camera cuts whilst the officer is still movign to a low angle MCU of the robber holding a machine gun; he then fires the gun, and the camera cuts to a LS of the police officer, who collapses to the floor. This shot is from the angle that the robber would so it, so as not to break the 180 degree rule. The mise-en-scene in this part of the sequence generally shows many police cars, police officers, distressed citizens adn the bank robebrs themselves.

We are first shown the lead bank robber (he is not the antagonist) in a CU inside the bank, his face covered by a balaclava. This is the first cut away, since we are shown a second part of the action, the events which are simultaneously occuring inside the bank. We then cut outside to the entrance of the S.W.A.T. There is a MS of the inside of a helicopter, showing the protagonist with his team. The uniform they were differs to that of the police officers, indicating a hierarchy. The entrance of these characters is emphasised by a decrease in pace and an audio overlay to highlight the importance of these people.

3)  Is the Disruption or Disequilibrium introduced or hinted at?

In this opening sequence, we are introduced to the lives of the S.W.A.T. team, particularly the main characters, whichs involves seeing a high key offence being handled. We are also introduced to the antogonist, to the antagonist without realising.

4) Are there any visual/verbal/aural clues that hint at what the hero's journey might be?

After disobeying the orders of higher command, Street and his partner Brian Gamble (Jeremy Renner) are demoted by Captain Fuller (Larry Poindexter), the comander of LAPD's Metropolitan Division. In this meeting, the Chief of Police, insists that Street and Gamble are still involved in the LAPD. Gamble quits the LAPD after an argument with Street. This sets up the stage for Street to embark on his journey.

5) From your knowledge of the film, how will the equilibrium be restored and what will be the new equilibrium?

The Chief of Police calls on Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson) to put together a SWAT division including himself, Street, and several others. Whilst they are training, a drug lord, the antagonist, Montel, is imprisoned and escapes with his own team of criminals. Gamble has been associating himself with Montel too, so the audience now understands that Gamble is the antagonist to watch out for. The new equilibrium sees Street emerge out of a fist fight with Gamble, by pushing him under a passing train. The SWAT team also takes Montel to a federal prison in L.A.