Opening Sequence Analysis - Kyle Quadra

Quantum of Solace (Forster, 2008) 

Editing

Within the first few minutes of the opening to the Quantum of Solace there are many editing point. The film starts by getting straight into the action; a car chase between James Bond and an unknown enemy, immediately pulling the audience into the story that began in the previous film. 

Quick cutting between close ups inside the car and an overview of the violent car chase increases the pace of the film, making events more intense. 

Sound

At the start before any characters or action is shown, an orchestra plays in the background which crescendos until the first part of action takes place.

At the peak of the background music, it breaks into the diegetic sound of the cars in a race, marking the beginning of the action sequence. 

Gunfire overpowers this scene and keeps the audience on edge as any shot could kill.

The music changed to a rapid violin and trumpet duet which keeps pace as the chase progresses. 

The music calms after the chase is over and then blends into the theme tune which is played behind the opening Credits. 

Mise-en-Scene

The audience are shown glimpses of a car in darkness, travelling through a tunnel which creates a sense of mystery as the audience cannot determine whether the car place a good or bad roll in the narrative, adding to the thrill factor. 

Along with glimpses of the car we also shown short glimpses of machine gun ammo being loaded into a sort of machine gun in preparation for combat, building suspense as the audience waits for the tension to break.

The gunshots and revving of the car's engines in a high speed race sets the mood for the film. From the first few minutes the audience knows that the film will be packed full of action and violence. The dark tunnel creates a sense of mystery as the audience do not know where Bond is heading and whats going to happen next.

There is a man in the boot of his car, and this is where the scene cuts, leaving the audience on a cliff-hanger as they have to wait for the credits to finish before they find out who the man is. 

Camera

Pan over water allows audience to determine the location of the scene, being in Italy in a tunnel and around the country's rural areas. 

Close ups of the cars and James Bonds eyes create tensions and anticipation.

Wide shots also allows the audience the see the surroundings as well as an overview of the entire car chase. 

An ariel shot shows the audience that they are in Rome at the end of the chase sequence.