RESEARCH: Thriller Opening

The movie I chose to analyse was ‘The Da Vinci Code’, which features Tom Hanks. There are various reasons for my choice, one being the rather drastic and dramatic use of effects, editing and music. I believe The Da Vinci Code is one of the best examples to show how thriller openings are used to create and maintain suspense as well as revealing the genre of the film.

As soon as the movie begins we are introduced to the thriller with the film production company. As the titles proceed, the music played and the editing gives a hint of not only the genre of the movie, but also the story line. The way the titles are edited makes it seems as if UV lighting is shining on the paintings. The dark background along with the UV lighting not only creates a mysterious and tense feeling but it also puts forward the significance of paintings in the movie.

As the titles become more intense so do the music and also the pace of the opening. Quick shots of paintings and fast movement of actors suggest tension and intensity.

Mise-en-scene and camera work, works together in the opening. Quick shots of rather theatrical paintings and the fast movement of the actor goes hand in hand with the camera work, as long shots and wide shots are used to give us the feeling of total isolation. Vivid orchestral music is played in the background at this point too, to maintain the thrill.

As the actor is chased through a art gallery, long shots are used to show the shadow of a man behind him. Until both men meet, the fast movement and tense music does not change, this sustains the panic.

In the opening of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ you can see certain elements, which are very similar to the openings of other thrillers. The fast editing, dark music and special effects are rather similar. The four key technical areas; Sound, mise-en-scene, camera work and editing are all used to create and maintain a particular feeling and also reveal the general genre of the movie. I believe that the opening of this particular movie is brilliant at combining these key technical areas and producing a genuine ‘thrill.’