Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium

Austin powers: Gold member

Who are the agents: the protagonist (the main hero who propels the narrative forward) and antagonist (opposing agent)?

Protagonist: Austin powers

Antagonist: anonymous assassin and Doctor Evil

 Describe the Equilibrium. How is it represented? What kind of camera shots can you identify? (e.g establishing shots to create a sense of space or use of CUs/cutaways to emphasise particular objects/characters faces). Pick out 2 or 3 examples. Describe the mise-en-scene: what meanings to the props/costumes/lighting/framing carry?

The equilibrium is shown through a movie within the movie documenting the protagonist’s life. The scene after the ‘movie’ then shows us an insight into more of the protagonist’s life, he is surrounded by girls and everyone is happy. There is then a dance/ song scene which shows the common mindset of the protagonist, and the colours show the spoofy-ness of the film. We then cut to a different place, where the colour scheme is dark and drab and we then establish the equilibrium for the antagonist. There are many camera shots, mid shots and long shots are common, and the camera uses a number of different techniques to follow the protagonist around, such as the two tracks and crab, and a close up of a puddle is used that the protagonist jumps into.

Is the Disruption or Disequilibrium introduced or hinted at? (e.g the serial killer in "Seven" is introduced in the title sequence).
4. Are there any visual/verbal/aural clues that hint at what the hero's journey might be? (e.g having to solve the murders within a time-limit of seven days in "Seven")

The disruption is hinted at by the dialogue in the scene with the antagonist as well as the music that he is introduced into. The antagonist’s new ‘evil idea’ is the disequilibrium into the protagonist’s life, but not the antagonist himself as he has always been a constant in the protagonist’s life. The hints of the hero’s journey are the antagonist’s aural description of his ‘evil plan’.

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

The equilibrium will be the reconciliation of the protagonist and antagonist as they discover that they are brothers separated at birth. The new equilibrium will be the protagonist and antagonist being friends, while the antagonist's son, who was good throughout the story, turning evil and vowing revenge.