Film opening analysis

Rush hour 3

The beginning of rush hour three start with dark colours and backgrounds using a suspenseful yet up-beat music track dramatising whilst drawing in the viewer into the scene, the flashes of locations and text shows a link to the story of the film. Showing the audience where the film is taking place showing tall skyscrapers, identifying key points within the setting. The scene then cuts to an in car dancing scene which adds a comedic effect to the opening. The lighting in the car appears more day-like which makes the clip appear lighter hearted as is it makes the opening more appealing across its target audience. The initial shot of the city is a wide shot which moves throughout the focusing on tall buildings enforcing the inner city location. This may form a link with some of the target audience as they have experienced city life engaging them into the film further. The camera then zooms into the city ground focusing on a mass amount of cars which appear to be in a traffic jam, this again is showing the viewers the location and the stereotypes of that location , for example consistent beeping car horns as this is often heard in large cities which is where the film opening is set. For the audience this is simply familiarising them with the location of the scene. The camera then follows a car until the character comes onto screen, dancing and singing adding a comedic effect to the scene, transferring over to the audience as humorous. The character then finds himself in a chaotic multi car crash zone which again is put across in a comedy styled way. The scene uses props such as cars and police uniforms, which suit the location so are used to identify the characters role and enhance the scene.

The second main character is introduced in a car scene acting as security; this scene has a more serious feel and is portrayed to the viewer this way. The car itself suggests a very prestigious role and high importance. The music changes from a humorous happy to a more subtle and serious reflecting the scene and the difference between the two characters.

Evolution

The first image on screen is a rock substance located in space. This immediately gives the viewer an idea of what the film will contain, for example abstract life forms etc. the camera then zooms out again and image of earth appears in the background and the rock substance comes fully into view looking like a comet. This suggests to the viewer that this comet will collide with earth which may suggests that the film be based around a sci-fi type of film which may not appeal to the whole of the target audience but will appeal to some based on their own tastes in film. The camera follows the comet as it enters the earth’s atmosphere and breaking down in size and setting aflame. This would entice the audience as the explosive on-screen action would gain the viewers attention.

The opening then cuts to and on earth view of the sky focusing on the moon, accompanied with subtle and eerie music added suspense to the scene. The audience may also be wondering what happened to the comet as it remains off screen, Again adding to the suspense of the scene. A car appears on scene and is tracked by the camera, the music in the car a of the rock genre change the atmosphere with the scene to a less suspense filled one. The character is introduced wearing a fire mans uniform showing his job role or aspired job role. The setting up of a practise situation creates comedic effect as the fact that he is using a dummy and talking to an imaginary audience is abnormal and humorous. As he sees the comet arriving he momentarily freezes again incorporating suspense into the scene. As he runs away just before the comet lands this adds a sense of danger which may appeal to the viewer. Finally after the comet has landed the music changes and becomes light heart and happy portraying a comedy type film.

The lighting is consistently dark throughout the opening scene; this creates a dark and high tension atmosphere within scene. However the props used in the scene create a comedy feel to the film appealing the comedy target audience.

The Simpsons movie

The film starts off out of space on the moon, with two astronauts landing on the moon, their identities of the two characters are hidden this creates an anonymous atmosphere within the scene. As the characters identity is finally reviled them start acting stereotypically, this creates a comedy element to the film which attracts the comedy audience. The lighting in the clip is dark and gloomy which creates a suspenseful scene,
The music in the clip is subtle but is cheerful which represents the type of film it is. The location is very secluded so this again adds a suspense element to the film opening.

As the character changes location to earth the lighting becomes brighter and the actions that take place are portrayed in a humorous way which the viewers of all ages are likely to appreciate as funny. The over-kill violence in the opening is so over the top that it adds a comedy effect to the scene. The camera angles used are wide angles and tracking the main character which are used to give a better picture of the environment and focus the attention on main characters.

The final part where a character stands up obstructing the view and turns around introduces another setting and the location and characters are introduced, which to the viewers is familiarising them with the characters which perhaps they already know, adding interest in the film.

From these openings I have found that suspense filled opening help to engage the viewer into the film, this helps as this is where the film usually introduces the characters and the setting of the film so I will try to incorporate this feature with my film opening scene. Introducing characters is also important to do early on as they begin to understand the character from as early on in the film as possible which enticing the audience into the film further. I feel this is a good idea to make our film opening seem more conventional. And finally I will try to give a good picture of the setting of the film to help tell the story of the clip.