Opening Analysis: 'Amazing spider-man 2'

Opening Analysis: ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’

The beginning of the opening starts with a non-diegetic effect of what sounds like a church bell. This then speeds up to turn into non-diegetic music to add tension. The screen is black which has the effect of the unknown on the viewer to build suspense.  The spider man logo then appears on the screen, it then begins to shake which creates an enigma code as the audience want to know why and for what purpose. The tracking shot then reveals spider man flying towards earth using a shallow focus so we know that he is more important than his surrounding setting. The effect of him starting high above the city and the high camera angle shows the power that he has. This conforms to the typical codes and conventions of a superhero action film as power is something that is explored regularly. It is also useful that the setting is introduced during this shot as well as the character, and the way we see it from an abstract view from above, rather than ground level, also helps to make the audience feel more engaged and special.

The diegetic sounds of New York, such as car horns, are then heard but are enhanced to make it more prominent. A low angle is used again to show the power and superiority that he has. There are sounds of air swooshing which are obviously unnatural and wouldn’t be heard as obviously in real life, but the effect of enhancing them makes the audience more aware of this fast movement and the action within the scene. These enhance sounds of movement, and more commonly violence, are a typical effect used in the action genre. The diegetic sounds of his laughter make the audience aware more obviously that he is enjoying himself, rather than being in some sort of chase with a villain. It also makes the audience aware that he is innocent as his laugh doesn’t sound sinister at all.

There is then a style of tracking shot where it seems that the camera is strapped to his feet and follows his movement around. This makes the audience feel like they are there at the scene and adds an abstract take as you fly through the air with the character. There is then a voiceover in the style of a typical American news report which follows the common narrative of action genre that a busy city full of people has been put in danger due to some sort of baddie doing something. There is then diegetic dialogue of spider-man exclaiming to himself that it’s ‘time to get to work’. This is quite comical as he says it so relaxed. It is also an action code as it is a significant event which changes the narrative of the story and the way that it was potentially leading. The beginnings of the plot are also introduced here. The next cut juxtaposes this and shocks the audience as several very quick medium shots are cut between one another of a truck that has been hijacked recklessly driving through the streets. The pace of editing being at the same speed of the beat in the music creates a dramatic effect for the audience and captures the attention, while still feeling realistic at the same time.

There is then a medium close up of the driver of the vehicle who takes on the stereotype of an uneducated person as he is wearing an Adidas jacket, a gold chain around his neck and tattoos. He is shouting and laughing to himself as we see his single hand on the steering wheel. There is constant diegetic, off-screen sounds of police sirens going over the top to make the audience known that they are in some sort of police chase. The sound of sirens could also have a psychological effect on the viewer as we connect this sound with danger or criminals. The fast paced non-diegetic sounds build tension to the scene. The shaky movement of the camera off-puts the audience and makes them feel uncomfortable, and occasionally panicky.

There is then 3 cuts of low angle shots but all from different locations pointing at men wearing all black with large guns in their hands. The shot from below looking up at them makes them appear powerful to the audience. The choice of black clothing also makes them appear like they may be baddies or guilty. The use of guns and weapons is also typical to the action genre. There is then a panning shot which turns into a wide angle as it captures the multiple police cars in chase. This enables the audience to understand the surroundings of the scene. The use of motor vehicles is common in an action genre. Again, the enhanced sounds of sirens build tension.

The camera then cuts to a close up shot of someone tying rope on the back of the lorry, you can see the background moving speedily behind them which adds a sense of danger to the audience. There is then a medium shot of the driver to capture his facial expressions as he screams and is thrown forwards. This creates an enigma code as the audience want to know what has happened. They're questions enabling the audience to get intrigued with the film and wanting to find out the answers to these questions, therefore watching more of it. It then cuts back to a wide angle shot so the audience can see the lorry driving over a police car. There is a close-up shot to capture the smashed glass which has been created. It then cuts to a low angle shot pointing diagonally upwards which captures the lorry driving forwards as it then knocks a police car directly towards the camera. This makes the audience feel like they are part of the scene as they feel like they are put in danger.

There is then a tracking shot of spider man flying through the air and it helps to establish the scene. It is also slowed down to build tension and drama. There are then a series of wide angle shots of him flying through the city before a close up shot of him flying directly towards the camera. This makes the audience feel like they are no longer watching what is taking place, but are present at the scene. The storyline then continues to be established as we see the men in black clothes burning a whole threw the top of the lorry with some sort of gadget (typical action genre convention.) It is still unknown whether they are good or bad.

There is a constant overlap of two scenes, one of spider man and one of the baddies. This is a common convention of action films as it builds tension for the audience as you don’t quite know how far away the two scenes are from meeting. There is then a tracking shot of spider man moving towards the lorry. This now makes the audience aware of the combination of the two points of view and the action is now all taking place together in the same shot. The unknown has been solved for the audience of when the two characters will intervene with one another. The camera angle then switches to inside the lorry looking out. The sound has decreased in volume and sounds of sirens are almost inaudible. Spiderman’s hand then appears as he knocks on the window. When the window is rolled down the volume increases inside the lorry again which makes the scene realistic. Some comedic dialogue is said to lighten the mood for the audience, but clearly not for the driver as he produces a large gun.