Analysis of Film Opening.

Skyfall.

During the opening 4 minutes and 10 seconds of Skyfall, the audience is shown that this film is clearly in the action genre. Classic conventions of an action film include fighting, this is shown in the first clip when Bond's fellow agent  is found with a vital injury alongside two bloody bodies. This is also shown in the second clip when there is a shoot out between Bond and the villain. The shoot out begins after a destructive and typical Bond car chase through market stalls and narrow streets - without forgetting innocent citizens leaping into safety in the nick of time and vehicles careering through the crowds.

Sam Mendes (director) uses a classic technique which is 'In medias res'. This involves starting a scene right in the middle of the action, leaving the audience with a sense of suspense, curiosity and adventure. Additional elements that may entice the audience include the sense of mystery where a shadowy, blurred figure appears at the end of the corridor, only coming into focus in a close up shot, thus revealing the identity of Bond, James Bond - in his iconic pose - pistol at the ready.

In order to add to the mix of adventure and suspense, comes potential love in the form of his glamorous colleague, played by Naomie Harris, who is perfectly capable of handling herself and a jeep in a car chase. 

Bond poses as the perfect 'Maverick' as he disregards orders from authority to leave Ronson as well as his ability to joke around and flirt mid-chase. Despite his unorthodox approach, he is clearly an expert agent, able to assess any situation and act upon this with superb speed, strength and bravery. This is shown both in the chase scene and when he is looking for the hard drive, only needing to glance around the room briefly before concluding it was not there. 

 

Here are the two clips i used: