Film Opening Quantum of Solace - Evaluation

Evaluation

The opening of Quantum of Solace begins with a shot establishing the location. The camera angle is low to the sea getting closer to the island. It then changes a couple of times to several close up shots of a character in a car (James Bond). The overall mood up to this point is particularly calm. It then turns back to the original shot where the camera is approaching the island from the same angle. The setting then changes to join James bond in a car chase where the shifts to being very chaotic and frantic. This is due to the countless number of close up shots being used. All the camera shots are used in this scene (long shot, medium shot and particularly close up shot). Long shots are used in the scene to establish the setting and location, this is needed because in a period where only close up shots are used the viewer could get confused on what is actually happening; so the long shots allow the view to gather where the characters are. The transitions between shots are very quick which adds to the chaos. Also the video quality of some clips are quite poor and unsteady but this is very effective. This is included to add to the mood. There is also a very wide range of camera angles on the cars are used to set the scene and demonstrate the car chase.
The soundtrack is also very effective, it is very dramatic and gradually gets louder and vicious which relates to the clips as the action and chaos gradually increases, the soundtrack and clips correspond very well.
This opening is also very effective due to the fact that is it easy to recognised the 'bad' and 'good' characters. This is visible between the interchanges between clips focussing on the 'good' character and 'bad' character. The bad character is recognised by the use of a gun as a prop.
As the opening gradually draws to a close the transitions between clips become less frequent and the soundtrack fades out and comes to an end. This signifies and emphasises the end of the car chase which is made very clear to the viewer.