Evaluation Of 3 Opening Sequences

Eden Lake, opposed to Limitless and Flight plan is different in way that is does not have that suspense factor in the opening sequence, it starts with a very warm and soothing tone and as things escalate and start to take a sudden turn, the action and suspense will start kicking in. In terms of Cinematography, Eden Lake does not have bold shots such as the shot of Limitless on a skyscraper. Also, mise-en-scene wise, the location is extremely dull, in the daytime - as opposed to Flightplan where it is set in a tube station at 3 in the morning. The editing is also poor in Eden Lake, with no cross cutting being used, but a slight bit of match on action is used which is essential to a thriller film, as in any genre.

In conclusion all 3 movies are very different and have different sub-genres. But what i found similar to them was that they all had the potential to grab the audiences attention and get the hooked which the makes them curious but in different levels.

Genre Research 3: Opening Sequence (Eden Lake)

Firstly the movie's opening sequence are accompanied by a tension building soundtrack (just like the Limitless Opening Sequence). Flashbacks of a lake is shown also flashbacks of a woman screaming with blood on her face (flashbacks just like Flighplan). The opening sequence creates the sense that a murder has happened, through the use of screams and blood etc. Also the shots of the lake are used in order to establish the setting. After the name of the movie is shown, there is a blackout which happens slowly to create tensions then children voices are heard again giving of this mysterious persona. The scene opens with a bunch of children in a primary school who are taught a song by a young blonde woman. The setting is an anti-stereotypical of a thriller as the background is light and there is laughter. The calmness and stillness of the scene is not one of the conventions of a thriller. It then cross cuts to an establishing shot outside, a man in his car, looking at a ring. As the woman leaves the school, she gets in the car and kisses the man, who the viewers now discover is her boyfriend which plans to propose to her.

Genre Research 2: Opening Sequence (Flightplan)

The opening sequence of the movie is set in a tube station. The colours are very dark and the subway can be heard loudly, as well as a tension building soundtrack. A woman is sitting on a bench. Many close ups and pans are used. For example, a close up is shown on what we believe is the Protagonist (the woman sitting on the bench). Her facial expressions show fear combined with tension. Feelings which are transmitted to the audience as well, also creating suspense. The establishing shots of the tube station are also used to set the scene - because a tube station is usssualy a very busy and crowded place. Then the woman is greeted by a man. Editing techniques are used, for example the scene cross cuts to the woman in a morgue, identifying her husbands body. This happened throughout the opening sequence of the film. This editing technique is effective because it makes the audience ask questions and makes them curious.

Compared to the previous opening sequence in which i have analysed (Limitless), this is amore calmer approach. Limitless's soundtrack is more vivid and dynamic. It also has a voiceover and its set in a different time frame opposed to Flightplan. The cinematography is similar, as well as editing techniques. However, what is very different between the two is that, Limitless starts with the end and the climax plot in comparison to Flightplan which has a slow and confusing opening sequence which builds up towards the climax. 

Genre Research 1: Opening Sequence (Limitless)

In the opening sequence of the movie 'Limitless' there is a man standing on what looks to be on the edge of a skyscraper looking as though he is about to jump. A voice over is heard of (presumably) the same character relating in this particular incident. The opening sequence gives the audience the feeling that a lot has happened before the actual moment. This is good as it keeps the audience wondering what is going to happen. From the beginning you can hear loud bangs on the door that coincided with the title credits of the film. They are synchronised in order to create suspense for the audience. There are some establishing shots of a building. A pan shot reveals dead bodies. A fast paced soundtrack can be heard, as-well as the voice over. Also as an editing technique, cross cutting is used in the opening sequence.

The voiceover alongside a number of close ups emphasise that mysterious persona of the opening sequences and the mood of both the film and the audience.

This shot is particularly effective, because it lets the audience experience and see the from the point of view of which we believe is the protagonist.

Definition Of A Thriller

Thriller is a genre of Literature, film and television programming that uses suspense, tension and excitment as its main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewers moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and terror. Films of this genre tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty and fast paced.

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