Is Max A Stereotypical Teenager?

My first opinions on Max is that he isn’t a stereotypical teenager. He stands out from the rest of the crowd, being a much more involved character with the school. A stereotypical student wouldn’t be expected to show as much enthusiasm as Max does, but much rather, the opposite, be out socializing with friends, at party’s and meeting girls. Of those stated, Max seems quite contempt with being, what is commonly called, a geek.

He takes part in as many after school activities as possible;

• Editor In Chief Yankee Review
• French Club President
• Model USSR
• Stamp Club
• Debate Team
• Lacrosse
• Calligraphy
• Astronomy
• Fencing
• Track
• Choirmaster
• Bombardment
• Kung Fu
• Trap and Skeet
• Beekeeping
• Yankee Racers
• Drama
• Flying

In his activities he is very much involved, for example, wearing all the costumes and dressing up in the Russian hat when demonstrating an international debate.

A ‘regular’ teenager wouldn’t take part all of these activities. Mainly teenagers attend the more sporty activities, such as Football or Hockey. In my opinion, Max takes part in all of these after school activities because he feels he is socially outcasted. As you see at the start of the film the person following him around is a lot younger. Max probably feels that he empowers him, make him more of an idol or hero figure.His social image, in my opinion, would be pretty poor. He seems like he would much rather stay in his room and study in stead of being out having fun like a ‘regular’ teenager. 

The way Max also interacts, and his mannerisms, with other Human beings are very formal. He acts as if he of an higher education or social class. With the typical classes that are to big for him, that directors use to portray the geekier students and the blazer. A blazer is seen to be for formal occasions like important meals for work and meeting someone important. Also, on the blazer, gold buttons are sown on, this indicates that Max takes a lot of pride in his physical appearance using more expensive materials.

In the short montage uses the C’s a lot to show the viewer about Max’s life. The Camera Angles of the montage are fair basic, mainly using medium shots to show Max and the activity, this makes it very easy for the viewer to follow instead of just random clips playing one after the other. This is also the adds to the use of the Continuity, making it all flow increase view-ability. The cutting/editing of the montage is fairly simple as well, making it flow using shot after shot to lower the risk of boredom with the viewer.

The way Mise-En-Scene is used in montage adds a huge amount of detail to the viewer. The way the props are organized in the background and where he stands all add to the final image of the montage. The props are made to be the centre of the screen then he is to the side demonstrating them.