Reservoir Dogs Gangster Genres

The gangster genre generally follows a protagonist who is involved with some form of organized crime. Gangster films, television, and video games are more often than not centered around a big city; like New York or Los Angeles. Weapons, vices, and nice clothing are always reoccurring props within the gangster genre. Camera work within the gangster genre varies drastically depending on the tone the creators are going for. Some will be steady as a rock during scenes of intense violence to convey that idea that this is simply, “business as usual”. Other times, cameras will go handheld for scenes of intense violence, as it creates a sense of uneasiness in the viewers. Sound more often than not is played up within the gangster genre; to give the audience a larger than life experience. Hits and guns are louder, and therefore, feel more powerful, more painful. The ideologies of the gangster genre have stayed consistent since

In Reservoir Dogs (1990) punches and gunshots are played up louder than life to allow the audience to feel the pain and power behind each hit. A similar approach to sound design was taken with The Sopranos (1999-2007), as well as, Grand Theft Auto V (2012). Music also heavily influences the gangster genre. Reservoir Dogs (1992) used 70’s music to tie various story arcs together and create a sense of unease in the audience during moments of intense violence, like the scene where Mr. Blonde (portrayed by Michael Madsen) tortures a law enforcement officer by cutting off his ear and dowsing him in gasoline to be set aflame. The Sopranos (1999-2007) used 1920’s inspired music to further the mafia undertones of the storyline. Grand Theft Auto V (2012) features many different genres of music played throughout the story and within the in game radio system. While in most context throughout the game the music adds little or nothing to the story, it is used to enhance the experience of playing the