1. Ironic juxtaposition: The pep talk's upbeat and patriotic tone, coupled with the uplifting, patriotic music in the background, creates an ironic contrast to the absurd and catastrophic situation the characters find themselves in. The cheery demeanor and motivational words sound woefully out of sync with the impending nuclear apocalypse.
2. Heightening tension: The cheerful music builds tension by undermining the gravity of the situation. The upbeat tune acts as a jarring counterpoint to the serious and dangerous events unfolding, increasing the audience's discomfort and sense of unease. The contrast between the positive mood of the music and the terrifying reality of potential nuclear annihilation accentuates the absurdity and heightened tension.
3. Satire of militaristic rhetoric: The pep talk and music serve as satire on militaristic rhetoric and blind patriotism. The over-the-top enthusiasm, clichéd phrases, and unwavering belief in military superiority are played for laughs, highlighting the ridiculousness of such attitudes in a world grappling with the potential end of civilization.
4. Unnerving dissonance: The clash between the pep talk's tone and the film's underlying message creates an unsettling atmosphere. The cheerful music and motivational speech seem eerily detached from the reality of the escalating nuclear crisis. This musical dissonance adds to the movie's overall sense of dread and uncertainty.
5. Critique of Cold War propaganda: The uplifting music and Major Kong's speech mirror the propaganda that proliferated during the tense Cold War era. By presenting this propaganda in such a far-fetched and absurd scenario, the movie critiques and satirizes the oversimplified and blindly optimistic narrative that was prevalent at the time.
In conclusion, the pep talk and its accompanying background music in "Dr. Strangelove" serve to heighten the tension, emphasize the absurd and satirical nature of the film, and critique the propagandistic rhetoric that characterized the Cold War era. The contrast between the upbeat mood of the music and the dire consequences unfolding creates a darkly comedic and unsettling atmosphere, leaving the audience with a sense of unease and reflection on the absurdity of war and nuclear brinkmanship.