Children Of Men Opening Sequence Analysis

We first of all see that the studio that made this film was universal, this straight away tells us that it is a big budget film as a very big, well known company is making it.
The scene begins with complete silence, this is done to get your attention and to make the audience wonder why the sound isn't working, the screen then goes black and there is a sound bridge of a news report, this is done so that the audience pay attention to what the news report is saying and it tells us that the news is very important and is a key part of the film. We hear that the youngest person on the planet has died, this suggests that there aren't any children left and also tells us that it might be set in the future where things are much worse then they are now and also shows that they might be living in a dystopia world.
We then see the inside of a cafe, the colors of what people are wearing and also the colors of the cafe are very muted, this suggest that everyone is very sad and gives off quite a depressing tone. There are police officers in the crowd of people, this makes the news report even more severe as you would not usually find police officers standing around watching the news. You then see a man walking into the shop and he is the first to have any dialogue other than the news report this suggest that he may be a main character in the film and is important to the viewer. The camera then shows us the news that is being shown on the TV that everyone is watching, it shows us that the youngest boy that died, was born in 2009 and died in the year of 2027 this confirms that this film is set in the future. The camera then follows the male character out using the handheld camera movement, this makes the audience feel as though they are there and gets them more into the film as they feel like there part of it. When we finally leave the cafe we see that this film is set in London from the use of the iconic big red bus. We see that the streets are very dirty and it seems as though there is smoke around as well as lots of rubbish bags on the floor this suggests that its not a very healthy or safe world to be living in. We then see the male character put what seems to be alcohol into his coffee this suggests that alcohol is his escapism in the reality of the world. The camera then turns around and there is a big explosion and a women walks out screaming with her arm in her hand. The scene is then finished. The last thing you hear is the piercing scream and siren which leaves you to remember the scene.

Handheld Camera Movement

Whip Pan Camera Movement

In this scene the whip pan movement is used to show all the different characters expressions whilst playing poker.

Pan Camera Movement

In this scene the pan movement is used to show how fast and irresponsible the car is driving. The camera follows the car as it moves. As the camera moves the car gets faster and even goes onto the pavement, this may show how young the driver might be as irresponsible driving is usually linked to young drivers.

Long Shot

In this scene the long shot is used to show the amount of people at this party. The characters are dressed very formally which suggests that they are upper class people, they seem to be ballroom dancing which also is seen as quite a upper class, 'posh' thing to do. The hall they are dancing in is well lit with many decorations including what seem to be Christmas decorations on the sides, this shows that this is in December time. The chandeliers and architecture of the building suggests that the person hosting this party is of high status has quite a lot of money.

Medium Long Shot

In this scene the medium long shot is used to show the relationship between the two characters. They are sitting very apart from each other but are looking at each other which suggests that they are strangers that just met. The lighting is quite bright which suggests that it is daytime and shows that the characters aren't in any danger. The trees and bushes in the background make it clear that they are in a public area such as a park, they are trimmed and seem to be looked after regularly. The fact that they are in a public place makes sense for two strangers to be having a conversation.

Medium Shot

In this scene the medium shot is used to show the love between the two characters. The lighting is quite bright and the characters look luminous, this connotes that the scene is a happy one. The male character has his hands around the women character's waist this suggest that he is quite protective over her and and is her lover. He is staring at her face lovingly. The women character seems to be overwhelmed by the sight she is seeing and she has her arms open whilst he holds her, this suggest that she trusts him.

Close Up

In this scene the close up is used to show that the character is evil. The character has a sinister angry look on his face, he seems to forcing his face into a door as if he has been trapped out. The lighting is quite bright on certain parts of his face, which shows that he is quite sweaty, sweat is seen as unpleasant and this connotes that he may be an unpleasant character. He's quite rough looking and this close up gives the impact that he is quite evil because of the sinister look on his face.

Extreme Close Up

                             

In this scene the extreme close up is you used to show the fear in the mans eyes, his hair is wet and icy and his face is quite pinkish which suggests that he is in quite a cold area, it seems to be dark around him which connotes that it is at night which gives the impact that the scene might be a frighting one and he is in danger. His face has a big cut on it which shows that he is in trouble and is maybe fighting someone, it also shows the mans bravery. The expression on his face looks quite tired out and scared and he seems as though he is looking into the camera helplessly, which gives the scene a dramatic effect.