Quantum of Solace Opening Scene analysis

Quantum of Solace Opening Scene analysis (Action)

The opening scene of Quantum of Solace starts with the opening credits depicting the companies who created the movie including Metro Goldwyn Manor and film giants Columbia, in term showing the audience the quality of the companies involved helps sell the movie to the audience. It also allows the audiences to connect with any other movies made by the companies, it brings publicity and viewers from the companies best movies and respective audiences.

The opening scene is introduced with an establishing shot of the setting which in this case is an island the protagonist is currently centered on and gradually zooms in to add effect, this establishes where the narrative is going to take place. The camera view then interchanges between close ups of different parts of a car and the scenery gradually zooming in which helps layer the scene and adds the necessary structure and stability needed for the audience to assume that this is in fact a car chase; which is a common occurrence in the action film genre and allows us as the audience to expect certain elements from this film from the very start. Eventually the camera begins to focus on different close ups of a man which we would immediately assume is the protagonist in the movie and cuts between the close ups on the man and the cars involved in the car chase which are in fact an Aston Martin DBS V12 and an Alfa Romeo 159. As the camera focuses on the short cut scenes of the cars, main character and the scenery, it helps add emphasis on the speed in which they are travelling and gives a slightly tense atmosphere as a tracking shot follows the action of the car chase to reveal to the audience what is happening, helping to further engage the audience into the movie.

Sound is very important within an action film as it helps set the tone, mood and atmosphere of the movie. Non-diegetic sound is used to reflect the narratives events such as the wind and immersive atmosphere in which the movie is set. At the beginning of the opening scene there is a tense music being played which helps set the scene of the film as the audience is introduced to the main protagonist. The music then cuts into diegetic sound which is used in the scenes involving the cars as the audience can hear the engine noises and gun fire in the car chase which helps add emphasis onto the action hero which is very typical of the action movie genre. It reveals to the audience the main character and some sort of  hidden villain; in which the audience can infer that this is not he main antagonist which is usually present in action movies who are in some sort of gun battle.This helps immerse the audience straight away in what is unfolding in the scene and allows them to relate this movie to others of the action genre. As the music is reintroduced inot the scene it adds effect and structure to the scene, providing a background to the car chase which helps provide a high tempo feel to the car chase which helps infer to the audience the speed at which they are travelling.

The main character is introduced in the opening scene when the there is a close up of different facial features of his face. The audience recognizes that he is the main character through the use of the camera shots that they are involved in. The main character is introduced through the car chase as they show him attempting to flee from armed pursuers which helps the audience relate this character to other action heroes throughout the genre. The audience would also recognize the characters individual skill at both driving and shooting; qualities usually associated with an hero in the action genre. This could help the audience think of what the protagonists profession or where he got his set of military grade skills from. The audience can see that the character is wearing a type of suit which reflects his high standards of himself and shows the audience that he may be in a high quality job. This is typical of the action genre as the hero is normally shown as a strong, muscular character or a slightly more sophisticated, tactical character. However either way the action hero is normally very masculine and Quantum of Solace is no exception. 

Certain enigmas are used in the opening scene of Quantum of Solace such as the choice of the director to not feature a proper full camera view of the main character which may leave the audience to assume what he may look like. The audience want to know what will happen to the main character after the supposed car chase ended and at the end of the opening scene the audience is left with questions unanswered as another character is introduced and the audience will be curious at what significance the character will hold in the scenes afterwards.

 Noticeable cliches are used in the opening scene of Quantum of Solace including the use of action scenes such as car chases and gun fire to help emphasize the qualities of the film and how it relates to the action genre. The opening scene also shows a lack of gun skills of the pursuers at their inability to hit the hero in multiple situations involving the protagonist, this is typical of an action film as they want to contrast the protagonists skills for the movie to the otherwise incapable gunmen, helping show the audience the vast power and skill of this action movie hero. This engages the audience as they recognize these features and can predict what is going to happen in the narrative of the scene.