Inception, opening scene to thriller analysis.

This is the opening scene of inception:

 

SOUND-

•There is a full orchestra gradually getting louder and louder, creating a more dangerous mood. It is quite triumphant, there are lots of horns and strings this makes the film seem very important with large widespread issues, this is accompanied when we see the sea, as this covers the entire planet.  Serious.

•All of this is non-diegetic sound, which means it cannot be heard by the characters.

•This incorporates that fact that this movie is a serious thriller

We then hear the sounds of the waves crashing, this signifies power and destruction, its very natural. This could also be metaphorical of the destruction and power that the character on the beach had encountered. The fact that the character has been in distress reminds us that it is a thriller.

MIS-EN-SCENE-

•There is only one single building, this generates the idea of seclusion and therefore putting the character at risk and creating suspense.

•Then he is prodded by a gun, gun represents violence which is majorly featured in thrillers. When the man is standing he is blocking the light, this makes him seem like the ‘baddie’, as light usually signifies good things.

•Looking at the characters acting, we can see that he is emotionally attached to the children in some way, as he really strains himself trying to look up at them as if he really wants to go and see them he even tries to reach out with his hand. This starts to create a story around the character.

CAMERA-

•Medium close up of man half dead, on the beach, alone. Which creates questions as to why he is there and why is he almost dead, an enigma. The fact that death is involved already in the film brings us back to the idea that it is a thriller.

•When we see the man with the gun we see him from below, this puts him in  a position of power making the protagonist more vulnerable. The fact that there are guards with guns on duty at all suggests that this area is a place of importance, this then incorporates the idea that this is a serious thriller.

EDITING-

•The child shown on the beach from his perspective is shown in slow motion which makes him seem dizzy and dream like, which reinforces the fact that the movie is a psychological thriller.

•Before we see the child, the sound of him laughing had been edited in whilst the camera is still on the man. This implies to us that the man is hearing the child.