Preliminary Task 2- Opening sequences pt2

 --Opening Sequences Pt2--

Q) How is the sequence engaging and how does it conform to traditional Thriller codes and conventions?

1. JACK REACHER- Opening sequence

The opening sequence to the 2012 action thriller 'Jack Reacher' is extremely effective in building suspense, engaging the audience immediately and instantly diving into action. The use of minimalistic sound intrigues the viewers as they suspect something will happen but are not sure when or who will be involved. Furthermore, the audience follows the white van and is placed inside it, tracking it on its journey, however they are unsure where it is going and who the driver is as- through the use of over the shoulder shots- his face is never revealed.

 This is significant as usually the intentions of the person can be seen through their facial representation- emotions, expressions, the "vibe" they give off- but, as his face is not shown and no unnecessary exposition is given, us viewers have no clue as to whether we are on the "good side" or the "bad side." Only well into the opening sequence flash backs are shown. These flashbacks, however, are coloured, not dull or faded, suggesting to the audience that they are fairly recent and may have taken place only a short while ago. The flashbacks consist of many close ups and extreme close ups before featuring a male figure, also from the back, with his face not shown.

 

 The character is seen making a bullet and ,as we are not sure whether it is the same person as the man driving the van, we can still not identify whether the character is "bad" or not. However, the stakes are increased as there is now an evident aspect of danger incorporated. Only after it has been revealed that the man driving the van is the same man who was making the bullets, is his face shown- expressionless and emotionless. The opening sequence comes to an end as we see the tension building during the silent, lingering sniper POV shot with the twist as you realise he was not looking for an easy victim, but was rather choosing multiple.

 This scene is drawn out with no cuts, building the suspense as you await him to shoot down his first target, allowing questions such as, "who is his target?" "is it any one specific person?" "will he miss?" "will he get it first try?" "why is he actually shooting people?" to be raised by the viewers as they try to come to their own conclusion of the situation. 

This opening sequence harnesses these best conventions and codes of thrillers to add suspense in the first moments of the film.

 

1. RED DAWN 2012- Opening sequence

The opening sequence to the 2012 action thriller 'Red Dawn' makes use of different conventions as 'Jack Reacher,' however is still very effective in harnessing the audiences attention. The sequence features black screens with red credits on it abruptly cutting to shots of film, tape, or images of past news reports.

 

The transitions itself, however, is what makes these shots suspenseful. A glitching effect is used when transitioning from the credits to the shots of the news report/ voice over. This adds a sense of gloom as it is clear that these news reports carry devastating news of worldwide events, the root of the story. Through this viewers are immediately put on edge as they feel uneasy and wonder what potentially dangerous events these news reports are foreshadowing. 

Furthermore there is a carrying through of the colour red throughout the whole opening sequence as the credits are red, the glitches are red and some of the images themselves flash to red. It is clear that red is a main theme as it is even incorporated into the title, 'Red Dawn.' The colour itself conveys a theme of alert, danger and warning suggesting that there is danger ahead and that these news reports carry some sort of indication as to what this danger will be. This intrigues the viewers as they as now expectant of danger and action. This method of flashing scenes is commonly used in thrillers and is very effective.

1. LONDON HAS FALLEN 2016- Opening sequence

The opening sequence to the 2016 action thriller 'London has fallen' is almost a combination of both 'Red Dawn' and 'Jack Reacher' as it uses a mix of the key conventions used in both of these films. Firstly, it is immediately evident that glitching is used, however, at a much faster pace than 'Red Dawn' creating a more suspenseful mood as the tension rises. 

Viewers also follow the journey of a car, however, we only follow from above, emphasising the location rather than the actual driver itself. The car travels through what seems to be a desert leaving big clouds of dust behind it- establishing the car as dominant and powerful. Its isolated state suggests that it is travelling in secrecy, raising the stakes as viewers suspect that whatever he is driving to is not widely known and almost "undercover." The stakes are furthermore raised through urgency as the scene in which the car is driving is sped up.

 Subtle flashes to some or other devastating event(s) is also incorporated, interesting the viewers as the details of the event are not known but the horrendous effects of it are. The cuts between the different scenes are quick and flashy matching the pace at which the car itself is travelling. 

The mystery of the sequence is heightened when a POV shot is included through a camera lens, focusing on one man, the same man being spoken about in a news report voice over. A freeze frame is then seen as it becomes clear that the man is "WANTED," adding a new level of danger as it is foreshadowing that he may be seen in the movie. The opening sequence ends before the driver and his end location is seen enticing viewers to keep watching in order to satisfy their curiosity around this character and their intentions.