Research and Planning - Film Opening Analysis - Children of Men

The genre of this film was easily identified within the first couple of minutes, consisting of a brief explosion and some sort of world pandemic, implying that this is an Action/Thriller style movie, further on in the clip i detected a futuristic use of Mise en Scene, placing 3D imaging display on the modern styled computer screens based in the office. Later on picking up on a very modern LCD television hanging from the bus, and running news advertisements covering the faces of block towers using 'Computer Generated Imagery' to reconstruct a modern city style, this then gave me the hint of an incorporated hybrid genre including 'Science Fiction' with a hint of 'Action/Thriller' scenes.

Opening sequences to films play a huge part in distinguishing the film by setting the scene, in this case currently in the future, year 2027. This opening helps us to identify the current situation of which London and the world is in; some sort of pandemic facing fears of the worlds collapsing state, involving something based on a slightly realistic scale such as a world pandemic, keeping the audience involved and eager to view more. This is a very effective and very popular over the use of modern films, involving the audience, based on realistic facts and enigmas in specific cases especially utopias and distopias in this circumstance. People are obviously infertile as the concise explanation of the news flow emphasises that the worlds youngest boy has just died at the age of 18. Involving main characters and applying useful background information is always very important to help set the scene for the viewer. Applying all these techniques into an opening sequence will help improve and construct a powerful opening.

The purpose of this film is achieved and constructed through media language by using effective and realistic camera shots and angles, for instance as the main character (Clive Owen) exits the static flow of citizens out of the cafe a hand held camera is applied to emphasise realism and improve the effective construction of the scene. As camera angles are very powerful, in this case emphasising a stone cold personality on our main character portrayed as being an anti-hero or hero to-be, further on in the film. Mise en Scene cleverly helps to illustrate his persona and the fact of him standing out as a main character by incorporating camera angles gaining the emphasis on power. Again involving Mise en Scene lights and costumes play a big part in illustrating the distopia era, constructing low lighting to imply a dark and depressing scene with the cast wearing very plain and dull clothing. Long shots also help set the scene with establishing the area and setting, in which the film is constructed. Mise en scene, involving sound effects the view on negativity of the scene, selecting a deafening ringing sound immediately after the explosion illustrating that it has a long term burst ear drum, traumatising effect.