Skyfall Opening Analysis

Looking more at film openings to help with making our own film opening and understand the key elements to show genre, themes etc... 

 

The Skyfall opening titles show a lot of hints to the genre and narrative of the film. It starts with 007 (main character) falling deeper in water which hints at the fact that he may be losing control in this movie, losing his power, his fight. He is dragged down by someone else and alongside a large number of other things, such as the title of the film and the soundtrack/theme song, hint directly at destruction of bond and him fighting a losing battle in this film.

 

The opening establishes a darker tone than previous bond films with the dark clouds, smoke, graves and more, which also hints at the death of a main character in the film. Red and black is a common theme supporting the themes of death and darkness.

 

 

The opening hints at how this film will be looking into bonds mind and his past and learning about him. This is clear by the camera zooming in on his eye multiple times to see into his mind.

 

Bond is shown as the target in the film as a target with his image on it is shot near the beginning of the opening. A theme of deception and mystery is shown too as he is shooting his own shadow and reflection and being hunted down by the shadow of the villain who is shown very clearly in the opening.

 

 

 

A theme and possible location is hinted at with the Chinese dragons and fire also hinting at destruction.

A house, which is a key location in the film, is shown as well.

 

Children of Men Opening Analysis

 

Children of men makes it’s narrative quite clear in it’s opening. The news report that everyone seems focused on implies that there are no children left in the world and people are no longer able to reproduce. The report specifies a time around 2027.

 

There are also clear themes and location of a near future London shown by the iconic red double decker buses and futuristic advertisements and billboards.

 

The film is given a dark and gritty feel and theme with lots of smoke, clouds and polluotion. The setting is made to feel overcrowded and busy as expected of the future of the world.

A main character is established as the camera focuses on him and tracks him as he leaves the shop.

 

The explosion leaves us to believe that the world is in conflict and possibly terrorist activity is occurring due to events. An impending end to the world feeling is given to the audience.

 

An overall serious, sombre tone is shown with a combination of on screen images, titles/font and non-diegetic music.