Research of Five thriller openings - Ryan

1. The Dark Knight - 2008 film by Christopher Nolan

The Dark Knight Opening
 

• With first 20 seconds of atchual footage being an establishing shot of a cityscape this shows the the some what generic setting for a thriller, a city
  
• At the end of the first establishing show a window is shattered foreshadowing chaos and destruction
   
• Backing up the idea of chaos in thrillers the shot at 1.25 focus purely on the masks (which all of the criminals wear) this also adds to the theme of mystery in thrillers something which the rest of the opening builds on
  
• Low angle shots are used to show the bank robbers power over everyone else centring on the Joker (the silent masked figure) one of the characters strong points is power and a need for it, with the audience not knowing it's him this is a great device in thrillers
  
•  Shots in which a character in the foreground is blocking or hiding details/characters/objects in  the background are frequently used including at 3.22 when one of the robbers is shot from behind
  
• Close ups are used to show detail in the mark you wouldn't usually see, it also reinforces how little you can learn from the character's masks, this in turn backs up the lack of identity for the characters adding fear and suspense to the opening.

• Fast cuts are used in almost all thrillers including The Dark Knight in which they're used to great effects to confuse the viewer are create a pace for the scene backed with the music which it's self increases the pace of the opening
  
• although being a camera technique as well as an editing technique, Match on action is used extensively throughout the opening for example when the bank worker shoots the bank robber  from behind you the robber fall down then from the Joker's point of view you see the worker 'cocking' the shotgun.
  
• With a lack of transitions from shot to shot this shows the almost realism of the situation with The Dark Knight being a comic book thriller you expect super-human powers to come save the dead instead you're confronted by violence and destruction something which audience's don't expect.
  
• The soundtrack is used with the fast editing and camera movement to increase the pace of the action and atmosphere  which is expected in a thriller.
  
• The use of business suits that the robber wear can be interrupted as their business wear and this is their job.
  
  
•  The masks not only hide their identity but they also strike a cord of fear in the audience
  

2. No Country for Old Men -  2007 film adaptation by the Coen Brothers:
No Country for old men opening

• The opening starts showing large expansive surroundings to show isolation and set the context of the plot.
  
• With narration from one of the main characters over the first 2 minutes of the film, revealing little about plot to add mystery however it also adds to the character's back story and personality
  
• Low angles and depth of field are used to hide antagonist's identity to add a feeling of unknown which surrounds that character and compliments thriller's running theme of mystery
  
• With the lighting being bright and natural this challenges the viewer's expectations of a thriller to have a rain and low lighting but the Coen brothers do the opposite to show this is a different kind of thriller
  
• The lack of sound is really important in No Country for Old Men, with only ambient sounds in the film with very little soundtrack added this really increases tension and gives them the ability to focus of atmosphere and natural noises such as the wind and the rifle firing at 5.34
  
• With the costume choices for the characters being excellent and shows the context without having to directly tell the viewer the context being 1980 in Texas.
  
• Point of view shots are used through out the hunting scene where he finds the blood trail 5.55 - 6.12 then again when he's using the binoculars to show the abandoned pick up trucks
  
• During the police station fight, where the antagonist attacks and kills an officer, such a horrific scene is shown through a top down view, much like bird's eye view, using that and a mixture of extreme close ups to confuse the viewer. The face of the antagonist is also shown for the first time with a horrific look on his face as his kills the officer
  
• Focusing on Moss' feet when he walks through the location shown in the binoculars, focusing on his feet shows the devastation in full, striking cords of sympathy and anger with the audience when the dog's body's show
  

3. Reservoir Dogs - 1992  Quentin Tarantino:

Reservoir Dogs Opening

• The use of close ups and placing objects/people in the foreground is used to block the audience's view of the scene and forces the viewer to take in more details.
  
• The dialogue in the scene and is chatty and informal even though these men are kills and criminals, but with out knowledge of the film, this is used to change the audience's view on criminals and show's that this thriller is biased towards the criminal's side
• With the camera constantly moving around the table this can be interrupted to follow the many conversations with are taking place on the table
  
• The suits each character wears, much like The Dark Knight are used to show the formal side of these men, and how they treat this very seriously this juxtaposes the conversation they're having
  
• The 180 degree rule is used extensively thought out the scene following each conversation
  
• Body language varies from character to character but overall is very relaxed and friendly, until the conversation heats up about 'tiping' the waitresses
  
• With 90% of the scene taking place indoors except the infamous walking scene, this can show that maybe this film focus more on the conversation and the characters not the action
  
• The interaction between characters and the way the scene's written backs up the idea of externally 'friendly' criminals

4. Pulp Fiction - 1994 Quentin Tarantino:

Pulp Fiction Opening

• Similar to Reservoir Dogs the scene opens in a every day scenario, a restaurant the conversation on the other hand is complete incongruous to the environment in which it takes place to show that criminals are just like use
  
• The costumes of the characters back up the above point of normality in thrillers by giving them 'normal' clothing, although the male's is more fun loving or 'summery'
  
• The body language of the two characters shows a close relationship between the two, with the constant compliments between the two backs this idea up
  
• With the generic close up and 180 degree rule being used the conversation juxtaposes the normality of the situation
  
• The dialogue before the robbery is comical but what is expected this shows the audience that this film is a crime thriller
  
• The female's dialogue before the credits role filps her character from an innocent lover to a hardened killer 'ANY OF YOU FUCKING PIGS MOVE AND I'LL EXECUTE EVERY MOTHER-FUCKING LAST ONE ONE OF YOU'
  

5. The Disappearance of Alice Creed - 2009 J Blakeson

The Disappearance of Alice Creed Opening

• The scene opens with the camera speeding towards a van, with it quickly cutting to the left twice shows paranoia and a 'time is of the essence' feel to the scene
  
• The scene shows many 'minor' crimes which foreshadows the crime and pain to come
  
• Switching to a home improvement outlet they buy suspicious  tools and materials to then proof a flat for kid napping 
  
• Quick cuts are used in an almost montage way to show them proofing a house, with a small cut to them taking a break following the constant theme of work type crimes in thrillers
  
• With a lack of dialogue between the characters show obvious tension to the audience
  
• Keeping with sound, most sounds are increased in volume to show emphasis of their actions, the staplers, trolly, the clock, the foot steps in the woods
  
• The music also increases in pace throughout the duration of the scene, with it fading out towards the only line in the scene 'ok' the music is replaced with the ticking clock
  
• The lack of dialogue also adds a sense of mystery and forces the viewer to work out what's going on their own
  
• The zoom out after the shot where the smaller man finishes the lock invokes a sense of horror in the viewer with the amount of locks on the Van
  
• The over head shot of packing the bags with the usual suspects of  kid-napping tools, tape, hand cuffs, a knife and gag states the obvious to the viewer on how this is a kid-napping and a thriller.
  

Ryan West