The West Coast Trail Presentation for SAIT international students
Analysis Of A Thriller Opening Munich
1. Analysis of a thriller opening<br />Munich, a thriller film made in 2005 by the famous director-Steven Spielberg ,starts off with a news reporter introducing the attacks taking place, the opening is in black and white, this gives the audience a taste of the time period it set in. The editing is well thought off too as in the beginning there are quick shots showing the location and the atmosphere, tension is build with the quick editing shots as it shows the panic and the destruction happening. The lighting used in each scene portrays the mood and the atmosphere. Backlighting was used to hide the identity of the soldiers. It also creates a dark atmosphere which sets the mood. The soundtrack sounds intriguing and makes the audience feel that there is some sort of conspiracy. It almost draws the audience into carrying on watching<br />The mis-en-scene is well thought of as the costumes of the local people shows their lifestyle just by the appearance. It also connotes their living environment and shows that they are not upper class people. The main actor is also seen wearing a casual shirt which suggests that he is not a typical hero who would normally be seen wearing the flashiest outfit or look outstanding from the rest of the crowd. His costume suggests that he may be sincere and loyal as it implies that he is not concerned about the way he is dressed however he is only trying to accomplish his mission.<br />Camera movement has also been well considered as slow motion is used, it describes and emphases’ the intensity of the scene and clarifies the event taking place. The sound track compliments the action and intensity within the shot taking place. In the opening sequence the director uses a technique of connecting the soundtrack with the emotions. This is done by having a shot of the family crying for help, with the tragic soundtrack in the background. This grabs the audience emotionally which makes them feel connected to the characters in the film. Other techniques of trying to grab the audience emotionally is to have a child or a baby in the opening, and contrasting the happy connotations usually linked with a baby with something more contrary such as blasting bombs or war. In this case the atmosphere is surrounded my panic with the main character whispering to his baby ‘’don’t forget my voice’’.Automatically, this builds emotion and a sentimental feeling in the mind of the audience with may intrigue them to watch the whole film to find out what happens to the main character.<br />The title of the film is shown at the end with a black background suggesting a mystery. The plain background could also make the audience focus purely on the title itself which was written in plain white writing which could imply the tragic mood that the film holds.<br />