When we first started research into film openings, I look at the examples of 'Catch Me If You Can' and 'My Best Friends Wedding'; genres of thriller and romantic comedy. To elaborate on the evaluation techniques and notes I have made, I have chosen to analyse the openings of two further films of different genres and compare them. Again, I will be using the headings of genre, narrative, characters, atmosphere,themes, setting, sound and titles.
Resevior Dogs (1992)
The genre of this opening is not clear but the signifiers of gansters and atmosphere created suggests the main genre of thriller. However, a sub-genre of crime and ganster is also connoted through the characters. The iconic open narrative and signifiers of the costumes through the enigma code implies crime whilst the seven characters suggest a complex plot. It intrigues the audeince and gets them to ask questions about the rest of the film. The characters are cool, relaxed and noticeable gangsters shown through their costumes suggesting potential violence, reinstating the genre. The theme of crime is suggested through the characters and their props of cigarettes and costume, creating a suspensive atmosphere. However, the incongorous use of a fast paced, non-diegetic soundtrack contrasting the ganster characters produces a comical atmosphere as the audience wait to find out who they are what the plot will be. The setting is urban suggesting a fast paced film and reinforces the crime themes as crime most commonly occurs in the city. The titles used are simplistic with the main characters first before the title of 'Resevior Dogs'. The use of a basic font does not reveal much about the film encouraging the audience to ask questions about the film.
Hitch (2005)
I have chosen the hybrid genre of romantic-comedy for Hitch demonstrated by the immediate theme of love and relationships, as well as the comic element of the characters' actions. The open narrative includes a small montage of various characters with non-diegtic dialogue narrating before the opening becomes linear, suggesting the film may also be of an episodic narrative. In this montage, the main characters are also pointed out through titles beside them and the narrator is revealed clearly showing that he is the main character for the film. The atmosphere created is happy and relaxed emphasised by the suggested themes of love and romance through the narrative and character's actions. Several locations and settings are established, such as a shop, theatre and apartment, but all are based in a city or urban area suggesting a busy film. The non-diegetic, cheerful soudtrack creates a light atmosphere and the lyrics talk about love suggetsing the temese of romance and relationships. The narrator speaks through non-deigetic dialogue to set the scene and introduce the audience to the film and make them ask questions. Finally, the titles are in a class-looking, formal font which is associated with novels and romance. They appear in the order of the institution and actors though there are not many. This may be in order for the audience to concentrate on what is going.
The genres of the two films are very different and so the narrative and style of editing must reflect that of the genre and distinguish them; Resevior Dogs is a linear narrative revealing little about the plot whilst Hitch includes a montage suggesting episodic narrative and a mixture of characters. The sound used also creates different effects for each genre. The non-diegetic soundtrack of Resevoir Dogs creates a comical element and suspensive atmosphere for the audeince whereas the non-diegetic soundtrack and dialogue in Hitch creates a relaxed and happy atmosphere, revealing themes and ideas about the plot. Though the settings of both films appears to be urban and the titles of similar fonts, it is the remaining factors such as themes, characters and props to give the audience hints for the rest of the film.
