Analysising The Openings of Inception And The Dark Knight

Inception (2010) Opening Scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4

*I decided to stop my analysis of this clip at 1:08s as i felt it was adequate opening scene*

During the opening scene to this particular clip a number of features which are most commonly associated within an opening to a 'thriller' film are addressed for example, at the start of the clip some basic and simple credits are revealed clearly displaying some of the main companies involved with the film, Legendary Pictures and Syncopy. This helps to create an image of great significance not only this but the music which introduces these two companies is very sinister and gives the impression that these particular companies are of high importance and have a great deal of power.

Following on from this there is then a complete switch in the tone and mood of the clip, as an establishing shot clearly setting the scene accompanied by the gentle yet also aggressive sound of waves crashing across a beach and into some rocks, quickly changes the pace of the clip. What this helps to create or present to the audience is a real sense of location and setting and this perhaps impacting on the audience an giving them an impression of whats to come.

Next the first and the main character Dom Cobb is introduced, he is shown lying on a beach within reach of the crashing waves appearing dazed and confused. There is also some soft background music and the sound of children's voices that can now be heard helping to create a image of perhaps a non-fictional world as the character appears to be watching a flashback of some children playing on the same beach, again the emotion shown on the characters face is that of a dazed and confused one which is focused on via the constant close up show of the characters face, suddenly you can then hear one of the children scream and  them see them run away the character then appears to fall unconscious. The impact this may have on the audience is probably more a psychological one than anything else leaving the audience unclear of what exactly is happening.

Shortly after this there is what could possibly be considered an over the shoulder shot, not only this but the music then slowly begins to fade out as another character is introduced. He is seen pointing a gun into the back of the Dom lying unconscious on the beach, eventually the camera reveals the new character with the use of a low angle shot portraying him as someone with a high level of importance. From the clothes he is wearing appearing to be that of a military decor giving the audience the impression that he seems to have a superior level of authority to that of that of Dom. The new character is then seen shouting at a fellow colleague in some form of foreign language perhaps signalling for him to aide him this is shown via the use of an establishing show displaying a new setting within the scene. Again the impact this may have on the audience would be psychological making them think about what is happening during the scene as it still remains unclear. This is commonly associated within thriller films, providing "a narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved."

The opening then moves to yet another scene in which another establishing shot is used not only this but a newer much darker and sinister musical theme can be heard playing in the background giving the audience the impression that something important or serious is about to take place. This is then followed by a close up of what appears to be an old man sitting at a table with his back to the camera this particular moment in the clip clearly portrays a sense of voyeurism which is commonly associated with as a thriller films.

Batman: The Dark Knight (2010) Opening Scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OYBEquZ_j0

*I decided to stop my analysis at 2:08 as i felt it was adequate opening scene*

Again during the opening scene to this particular clip a number of features which are commonly associated within an opening to a 'thriller' film are addressed and again example, at the start of the clip there are some credits, however this time the introduction of these particular credits is far more sinister. The background music is much darker and that of the lighting too. What this does is create an image of darkness and by doing so is already stating to the audience that film is going to be dark not only this but again it also portrays the companies such as Warner Brothers and again Legendary Pictures who feature in the credits and great deal of importance. Not only this but the transitions used also help to create and image of darkness and also evil.

Following on from this there is then an establishing shot accompanied by a zoom in shot clearly setting the scene and location of this clip. The camera then shows two masked men within a building smashing a window and using a zip-wire to gain access to the roof of another building. As the scene progresses you witness a robbery taking place by these masked men, you then see one 'robber' betraying and killing another until there is only two left in which one character can be seen pointing a gun at the other however before he can kill him he is run over by a school bus which can be seen crashing into the side of the bank. The final robber then makes his escape in dramatic fashion. While all this keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and begging for more.