Fat Boy Slim - 'Weapon of Choice'

This video shows the artist, Fat Boy Slim, to be unconventional and quite quirky. The fact that the typical convention of dancing is used within the video, but adds a twist by the choice of dancer, which makes it slightly surreal.

The video uses dark green mise en scene, in a setting similar to a hotel lobby. The video continues with this theme throughout, and reflects the colours and conservative feel of the costume worn by Christopher Walken. The bland, badly lit, and stereotypical setting contrasts strongly with Walken's dancing as it creates a relationship between youth and older generations, throwing out all stereotypes.

The director uses a range of camera shots, from close up to long shot. As Walken begins to dance, a slight high angled shot is used, in order for the audience to look up to him in admiration. High angled shots are used throughout, especially as he dances on the escaltor (1:33), again for the audience to look up to the actor and his dancing. As Walken dances, the camera is used simply to pan his movements in, primarily, long shots. The use of long shots heighten the contrast of the movements with the man's aging body, whilst using the setting to create further contrast and intensify the surreal feeling. The high angled long shot (3:29) shows Walken with his arms out, reminiscent of images of Jesus; giving himself a holy and saintly image.

The video is unconventional, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the fact that it never once features the artist, instead the subject is a famous actor, Christopher Walken. Despite using the convention of dancing, the issue of age is created by the choice of actor. The video begins showing Walken sitting down, like a typically aging man. As soon as he begins dancing (0:53) it instantly surprises the audience. Not only is the choice of actor and dance routine unconventional, but the 'flying' sequence (starting at 3:01) is also grabbing for the audience in an unconventional manner. The entire video is based around the issue of age; an elderly man still has his youth despite his exterior.

The editing during the piece fits in well with the music, especially in terms of the cuts from shot to shot. The most impressive piece of editing is the sequence where Walken dives from the balcony and flies (starting at 3:01). This piece looks fairly realistic and makes good use of technology, whilst making a fantastic ending to the music video, just before it cuts to show Walken heading back to his chair, reassuming his role as an older man. This simple cut of shots creates a stark contrast between how old Walken is made to look, and how youthful his dancing makes him seem.

In conclusion, Fat Boy Slim's 'Weapon of Choice' is a very effective and interesting music video. Whilst being amusing and entertaining, it displays issues surrounding age, primarily using its choice of actor, as well as mise en scene, shots and editing.