Relationship Between Shots

The editing in the bar fight in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) plays a significant role to the pace and tone of the sequence. It starts with an establishing shot of the location, Black Prince bar, and cuts to a group of men opening the front door. The continuity isn’t disrupted as the character points to somewhere, which we find in the next shot to be Eggsy and Harry. It switches to a group shot that establishes the location, the group approaching the table, and the two men sitting. From there, the quick POV cuts are alternated by dialogue, reaction close up shots, and over the shoulder shots.

All of these shots are carried by the soundtrack of the ominous violin and cello. The tone of which creates a menacing atmosphere. The comedic aspects are built through the dread on Eggy’s face and the two “dun dun” violin sounds that replaces Eggy’s dialogue. The audience recognizes something is about to occur when the music picks up in pace and there is a shallow close up shot to Harry’s face. There’s a brilliant rack shot, just before the action starts, the group is walking towards Harry, focuses back on his face when he delivers his line, and then focuses back on the group.

Ultimately, the sequence doesn’t lose the audience by consistently editing the shots to work with the music to create a dramatic and comedic undertone while developing an anticipation by having shorter shots, cutting quickly, and faster and decisive musical beats.