The genre we have chosen to base our opening two minutes is a cross-hybrid of the action, spy and thriller genres, with particular influence taken from the Bond series, as well as the recent Bourne films. So, an obvious example of a similar film would be the most recent installment of the Mission: Impossible series, a film I enjoyed quite a lot, which has an exciting opening few minutes, as I will analyse below.
The opening sequence to "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" is typical of many films in the same genre. This brief two minute sequence starts off the movie with a bang - a set piece in a similar vein to what we wish to achieve with our film opening. After a succession of institution logos, accompanied by a rapidly intensifying orchestral score, the film opens with a title card stating the location of the scene - 'Budapest', followed by a series of sweeping location shots establishing the architecture and landscape of the area. The final shot of which culminates with a helicopter shot reaching closer and closer to a far away rooftop, as the stage is set with a door bursting open, cutting to a number of close up shots to reveal an armed man with a strange device being chased by a group of equally armed and dangerous men.
As his pursuers open fire, our supposed lead throws the device off the edge of the roof and jumps backwards, firing shots and killing both men during his descent, before his device opens up to become a large inflatable that shields his fall. In the manner of all badasses, he sits up and does a forward roll, before firing his gun at an oncoming attacker. We then cut to him walking off, looking proud, as he checks his messenger bag and the camera briefly lingers on an unknown, but confidential looking document. The sound of a passing train is soon followed by the sight of a blonde woman headed in his direction. He smiles and takes little notice, but his expression turns to panic as he receives a notification on his phone. The woman instantly fires a small concealed pistol multiple times and he collapses to his knees. He falls into her arms and she fires two cold final shots before removing his bag and leaving the scene quickly. The camera then tracks over his body to reveal the phone in his dead hands, with a picture of the same woman with the words 'ASSASSIN' above her head. The scene then ends with a fade to a different location, continuing the film.
This opening is very successful on a number of levels. Crucially, it is very exciting and evokes the thrill, as well as mystery, of an action thriller. This is accomplished with the rapidly cut editing and an intense and bombastic musical score that help to increase the pace of the sequence, as well as the moderate body count which is always something that excites the audience. The film is given a cold desaturated look with emphasis on the blues and greens, which is a convention of modern action thrillers that seek to depict a harsh reality. This is also typical of Eastern European locations which are usually depicted in such a manner. As well as these technical elements, storyline is also very important. We are presented with a ostensible lead protagonist who is killed within the first two minutes as well as a number of enigmas, for instance the nature of the document and its value, in addition to the identity of his pursuers and the female assassins and who their employers are. All in all, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" has a very strong, but brief, opening that encapsulates all the conventions of a successful action thriller.
The opening sequence to "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" is typical of many films in the same genre. This brief two minute sequence starts off the movie with a bang - a set piece in a similar vein to what we wish to achieve with our film opening. After a succession of institution logos, accompanied by a rapidly intensifying orchestral score, the film opens with a title card stating the location of the scene - 'Budapest', followed by a series of sweeping location shots establishing the architecture and landscape of the area. The final shot of which culminates with a helicopter shot reaching closer and closer to a far away rooftop, as the stage is set with a door bursting open, cutting to a number of close up shots to reveal an armed man with a strange device being chased by a group of equally armed and dangerous men.
As his pursuers open fire, our supposed lead throws the device off the edge of the roof and jumps backwards, firing shots and killing both men during his descent, before his device opens up to become a large inflatable that shields his fall. In the manner of all badasses, he sits up and does a forward roll, before firing his gun at an oncoming attacker. We then cut to him walking off, looking proud, as he checks his messenger bag and the camera briefly lingers on an unknown, but confidential looking document. The sound of a passing train is soon followed by the sight of a blonde woman headed in his direction. He smiles and takes little notice, but his expression turns to panic as he receives a notification on his phone. The woman instantly fires a small concealed pistol multiple times and he collapses to his knees. He falls into her arms and she fires two cold final shots before removing his bag and leaving the scene quickly. The camera then tracks over his body to reveal the phone in his dead hands, with a picture of the same woman with the words 'ASSASSIN' above her head. The scene then ends with a fade to a different location, continuing the film.
This opening is very successful on a number of levels. Crucially, it is very exciting and evokes the thrill, as well as mystery, of an action thriller. This is accomplished with the rapidly cut editing and an intense and bombastic musical score that help to increase the pace of the sequence, as well as the moderate body count which is always something that excites the audience. The film is given a cold desaturated look with emphasis on the blues and greens, which is a convention of modern action thrillers that seek to depict a harsh reality. This is also typical of Eastern European locations which are usually depicted in such a manner. As well as these technical elements, storyline is also very important. We are presented with a ostensible lead protagonist who is killed within the first two minutes as well as a number of enigmas, for instance the nature of the document and its value, in addition to the identity of his pursuers and the female assassins and who their employers are. All in all, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" has a very strong, but brief, opening that encapsulates all the conventions of a successful action thriller.