Thriller Openings Analysis

Goldeneye

This film begins with an extreme long shot of the dam giving s sense of size for the location Bond must infiltrate and also a plane flying above foreshadowing his escape. This is followed by a tracking shot of Bond running across the dam, however the audience do not know whom the character is yet. The use of sound is interesting as there only faint sounds of bells in the background and Bonds footsteps and breathing as comes to his point on the dam. The sound of his fast paced breathing helps to create tension by sounding rushed and panicked. There is also a high angle shot of Bond standing on the edge of the dam showing the audience just how far down he must go and this is reinforced by the next tracking shot of him bungee jumping down. 

28 Days Later

This film begins with a mash up of clips of what seems to be violence but then actually is shear panic as the world as we know it is coming to an end. This provides not only a back-story to the film but it also sets the scene. The vulnerability and loneliness of a single character is exceptionally displayed in the opening of this film and is done by the opening shot of the protagonist being naked. As Jim walks out of the room and down the stairs the only sound we hear are that of his footsteps symbolising how alone he is and that there is no one to help him. The director cleverly chooses to reveal what has happened at the same rate of the character and so there is no dramatic irony building even more suspense, as we do not know what is to come. When Jim is walking around the empty streets of London, long shots are used to show the extent of his loneliness and his inferiority. Another interesting choice of shots to include is that of the pile of money as the audience realises that it is now worthless.