Write an analysis of the opening
sequences of three thriller films
I Robot
The opening credits of the film’ I Robot’ are dark blue in
colour and bubble away with the water in the shot. The dark colour immediately
suggests to the audience a thriller genre as and makes the writing stand out.
This dark, outstanding colour means that people will be more likely to notice
the producers, director and actors in the film that they recognise and like so
they will be more likely to continue watching.
The film
uses conventional shot types of thriller films. This is because it uses long
shots to show what is happening in the shot and to show us what the characters
see and close ups and extreme close ups to show the expressions on the actor’s
faces. These shots help the audience connect with the image on screen and give
the image more meaning and effect on the audience. It also shows life itself
being threatened when we see that there is a car under deep water with people
in it. When life is threatened on screen the audience connect with what is
happening and feel the tension being built up.
Our attention is also held by the dark light
in the shot and the music accompanying the shot. This is because it helps build
the tension in the shot and within the audience. The dark light could suggest
an antagonist’s presence in the shot. It also suggests danger to the audience
and builds suspense and tension. The music accompanying the shot is not music
that satisfies the audience. It makes them feel uncomfortable in a way that the
director intended and also adds to the build-up of tension, drama and suspense.
As a
spectator, the film made me want to watch more. It left questions such as how
and why did the car end up in the water unanswered which set up enigma codes in
the film for me to predict the course of events. Although we are introduced to
the protagonist, there is no overly obvious antagonist. This also sets up an
enigma code for the audience and makes the film more challenging as they have
the task of figuring out who or what the antagonist will be.
127 hours
The opening credits of ‘127 Hours’
contain large crowds of people. This is ironic and contrasts with future events
as we later discover that the protagonist in the film is going on an adventure
in the Grand Canyon on his own (indicating an adventure thriller hybrid). The
text on the screen during the credits is scratched and battered. This could be
foreshadowing events to come, suggesting that things could get messy as the
film progresses.
The shots
used on screen include close ups, extreme close ups and long shots. These shots
allow the audience to connect with the footage as the close ups and extreme
close ups show the character’s expression and makes the audience feel the same
as them. The long shots within the footage show the audience the setting. It
can also suggest loneliness and vulnerability if the character is all alone in
a wide open space.
The up-beat
music accompanying the opening sequence along with the light in the shots
further suggest an adventure thriller. This is because the light contrasts
between light and dark and the beat is fast, suggesting that there is
disruption as the film goes on.
The film also sets up enigma codes for the
audience to figure out. It does this by leaving the audience with the main
question; what is going to happen to him? This question sparks their questions
such as how can something to him as he is alone in the Grand Canyon. This could
suggest to the audience that the antagonist in the film is not human. The fact
that this question is raised gives the audience more of a challenge in figuring
out the course of events, therefore making the film more satisfying to the
audience, especially if the guess the codes right.
As a spectator, the opening sequence of the
film grabbed my attention and made me want to watch more. This reaction has a
lot to do with the enigma codes that are set up for me as an audience. They are
designed to make my movie experience more intense and enjoyable.
Abduction:
The
opening scene of Abduction is not what we would call conventional in terms of
use of shot types. It does include some conventional shot types such as long
shots and close ups but they are not used in the same way and for the same
purpose as in most other thriller films (e.g. to show expression,
vulnerability, etc.).
The music at the beginning of the film is fast
paced and up-beat. This is conventional of a thriller film as it builds
suspense and tension within the audience and holds their focus on what is
happening on screen. On the screen at the time is the main character,
represented to be the protagonist, sat on the bonnet of a car while it is
moving at a fast speed. This puts the character’s life in danger which is
conventional of a thriller film as it automatically gives suspense to the
movie. This would automatically grab the audience’s attention as they are set
up to be on the same side as the protagonist, making them will the character to
be well. The technique also suggests that the film is an action thriller
hybrid.
At the party scene, there is a lot of loud
music which gradually grows in bass and in volume. This could suggest that the
music is building up to something which is designed to leave the audience
wanting more.
The Mise-en-Scene includes props such as
candles. The candles could be part of the Enigma code as it could be
foreshadowing future events. This is because the light of the candles, as well
as other small lights in the background, glow and look like small flames.
The credits at the beginning of the film are
battered. This reflects the action thriller hybrid and keeps hold of the
audience’s attention. It also makes the credits stand out which is important
because if the audience recognise the producers or director they will
automatically want to continue watching.
As a spectator, I did not find the film opening
particularly attention grabbing as I did for other films as I would expect from
an opening scene of a thriller hybrid film. This is because I did not feel as
though the film had the same tension building effect or cliff hangers as most
thriller films do.
