Analysis of the action/adventure movie openings - Fraser

The opening of the Hobbit

The use of the match in the palm of Bilbo's hand helps

add mystery to the character and to make a warm

feeling to the viewers. It also helps add suspense to

the character and the story.

Genre conventions: the use of the sword shows an

example of action and the idea of a battle. As Bilbo's

hand reaches over to the sword it shakes and you get

the idea of reminiscence.

The use of the picture helps the viewers relate to the

main character and see what he looks like. His

appearance looks like the stereotypical adventurer as

he has long hair and a rugged look on him.

The image of the main character resting his hand on his

chin and looking down at the picture of his younger self

helps the viewers make the link between the picture and

the character. It also adds mystery into what he is

thinking about.

The use of the map helps add a sense of adventure

and excitement into the scene as we are exploring

unseen territory and experiencing a land not known to

the viewers.

The wide shot of the market place helps show the

audience that the supposed time frame of the film,

medieval times. This is because in other films city

markets are connoted with the medieval era.

This is establishing shot helps show the viewers the

‘main attraction’ to the story, the image of the gate in

the background. The size of the gate helps excite the

reader as they feel that a strong and powerful

kingdom must be behind it. This reflects the fantasy

genre the most.

In this shot we get a clearer view of the gate and its

surroundings. The waterfall next to it helps make the

imagery of peace and amazement for the viewers

The close – up of the dwarven king helps the viewers

know that the film is based in another universe. They

know he is a king as he is wearing a crown and robes

that mirror royalty and riches.

The dark hall has giant statues around the area and a

ore vein in the middle of it. This makes the viewers

feel amazed at what they can see as it looks

extraordinary. It also resembles power and royalty

The close – up of the gold fragments helps the

viewers see that the film has an essence of treasure

and gold in it as shown. It also fits with the

mythological assumption that dwarves love gold.

The use of the giant ore vein again adds the idea of a quest for treasure and gold. It

also shows the viewers what should be expected from a fantasy film.

LOTR: The Two Towers

The use of the logo for the directing company helps

the viewers know that the company making this film

is professional and has had experience in making

films.

The title of the film trilogy is shown and a piece of

music is played in the background to help make it seem

more adventurous as the instruments being played are

upbeat and pleasant

The establishing shot used helps describe the

landscape for the quest and the setting of the story

The use of the fiery demon helps show the viewers that

the story has an essence of mythology behind it and

use’s that to a good extent. It also helps the viewers

remember what happened in the last film.

The close – up of Gandalf helps show one of the main

characters and again helps the viewers remember the

last film more clearly.

The close – up of the Balrog inserts an essence of fear

into the viewers. This is because the demon closely

resembles an idea of Satan and hell.

Another close – up is used when the other main

characters are shown so that the viewers remember

the plot of the last film and the feelings they felt when

Gandalf supposedly died.

This shot is unclear but it shows Gandalf falling

towards his sword with his outstretched arm. This

shows the idea of bravery and courage in the

characters as they don’t know if they will die or survive.

The shot of Gandalf falling towards the Balrog helps

the viewers see the bravery in Gandalf. This makes

the viewers anticipate what will happen next and keeps

them on the edge of their seat.

The final shot is Gandalf and the Balrog falling down

the cavern and still fighting. The wide shot used helps

show the size of the creator as it is still visible in a

cavern of this size. This adds to the suspense the

viewers are feeling.

Iron Man

In the first shot we see the companies who made the

production. We also hear rock music in the

background representing the excitement that will soon

follow.

The use of the subtitles saying where the movie is

being set helps the audience understand that the movie

has an element of war behind it and may be based off

of that.

The use of the stereo in the truck confuses the viewers

as they may of believed that the music was put in

incidental. This disrupts the viewers train of thought as

the stereo is so out of place.

The next shot is of the main character. This helps bring

the movie into full circle and also disrupts the viewers

train if thought as it is unexpected to see a man

wearing a suit and drinking whiskey in the back of an

army truck.

The explosion used reminds the audience that the film

is based around war and that anything can happen at

anytime. It shows the horror of war.

The bullet holes in the car also reminds the viewers

that they are in a war situation and it is very dangerous.

Another explosion is used to again show the war

situation

The use of the logo for the main characters company

on the weapon helps add mystery to the story as the

viewers want to know why the warhead is in the hands

of the unknown enemy.

A bullet proof vest and blood is used to show the life

changing injury's Tony Stark will have to live with.

The final shot is of a sack mask. This adds the

essence of hostage taking and dangerous situations. It

makes the viewers realise that war is very dangerous

and can cause you to become captured.

The Dark Knight Rises

In the first shot we see a group of bagged men in the

back of the truck. The audience wonder why they are

bagged and for what purpose. It excites them for what

is going to happen next.

The landscape used in the establishing shot helps the

viewer understand where the film is being based at the

moment.

The plane, guns and army uniform helps connote a

feeling of danger and possible excitement. The same

masked men are shown and the viewers realise that

they are most likely criminals.

When Bane is revealed the audience see that he is a

dangerous man through the use of the mask. People

will associate the villains with people that wear masks

as they are seen as dangerous and powerful.

The two planes shown shows the possibilities of a fight

happening. This excites the reader as they don’t know

what will happen next.

In this shot men are seen jumping out of a plane on

harnesses. The viewers are getting more excited as

they aren’t sure what will happen. It also adds an

element of danger.

This shot shows the viewers a huge amount of danger

as this scene looks almost impossible as it seems

unrealistic.

The shot of the plane falling and the villain escaping

informs the viewers that this won’t be an average

superhero movie as the villain is shown to be very

clever and has a plan thought out.