Film Opening Harry Potter - Evaluation

Evaluation - 2 Minutes

The beginning of the film starts off with a close up shot of a road name emerging from the darkness with an owl sitting on it. The camera angle begins to change as it rotates to the right and the owl and and street sign go out of the shot, the owl then reappears flying off into the darkness. The image then stays still for a few seconds and a figure submerges from where the owl disappeared. This creates a sense of mystery and could be considered as magical. Also a quick shot of a cat  is included which soon becomes important. Then a sequence of varied shots are used when the man displays his magic, therefore adding to the theme mystery/magical. The camera then focusses on the cat and slowly moves to the left until the cat is out of site then the shadow of the cat is visible. The shadow then shifts from the shape of a cat in to the shape of a human and then a woman appears. This special effect adds to the theme and is very effective. The shot then moves to a two shot where the man and woman are having a conversation. The shot then changes twice more into other two shots but from different angles and continue to follow them. Then a long shot is used and a bright light in the distance is introduced. Then a couple of shots of a figure on a motorbike flying from right to left is used which adds to the theme.
Throughout the scene an unusual soundtrack is used which fits to the theme very well. It sounds mystical and magical but it also introduces an element of tension which forces tension to the viewer as they don't know what is going to happen next.