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I think pacing is of it’s time. Movies that seemed perfectly paced on release can seem slow now, as pacing has changed. So, to me, there is no such thing as perfect pacing as the movie may seem different in retrospect, which doesn’t take away from it.
Look at purposeful slowing of the pace in anime scenes. Look at intentionally hyper fast pacing in thrillers like Taken. Both have more artistic merit than a well paced marvel movie that moves along but feels pedestrian.
Playing with pacing can also make it fun, like memento or pulp fiction.
I’d say, particularly well paced films are usually long epics like gladiator, braveheart, titanic, lord of the rings: as they need to be to carry the audience through a longer narrative. Or twisty thrillers that change course and weave, so you don’t stop to think too much and miss the magic, like sixth sense or silence of the lambs.
Interesting question, though.
And an equally interesting answer!
Crank
Sorcerer! Seriously, go watch Sorcerer.
From 1977?
Yep!
Airplane!
It moves along at the speed of its gags and never drags or feels rushed.
For me, Spike Lee’s Inside Man
Gone in Sixty Seconds.
The Crow is one. It is such a mix of great lines, bad acting, bad lines, and good acting but the pacing overall is pretty good.
Hopefuly someone studies that film on why it works.
someone else mentioned Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (‘98) — but for me — almost anything from Guy Ritchie has great pacing, humour, some twists and little nods
- Snatch (2000)
- Rock’N’Rolla (‘08)
- Sherlock Holmes (‘09 & ‘11)
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (‘15)
- The Gentlemen (‘19)
Dead Man, a perfect slow burn the whole way.
The Prestige
For me, it’s Le Samouraï, a noir thriller from the 60s. Most people would consider it slow, but I think it gives enough time for an audience to take in important details, think about what’s going on, and experience tension. It stands in stark contrast to many modern films where there’s always something happening.
The Hateful 8. I could see people thinking it’s too slow, but it’s perfect to me. Every single issue in Act I slowly boils to a head in Act III.
Matrix 4. It’s not a good movie, but the pacing & the electronic music are first class.
