Research into openings of action films: Taken 2

A third action film opening that was investigated by Amirah was that of Taken 2, as demonstrated below:

Codes and Conventions	Findings	Textual Evidence
Creation of Enigma	The start scene is quite confusing; there are fast cuts in and out of the scene. The scene is interrupted with the titles, introducing the actors name etc. we don’t know the full story, this draws the audience in further as it’s like a mystery. Also, no sound has been used, diegetic dialogue has been used. The audience has to figure out themselves what is going on. In the sequence we also see a clock ticking, his again creates mystery; it makes that audience question why the time is being shown over and over again. What’s the rush? Why are they working against time?	2.40 – the scene is repeatedly interrupted with the titles. 1.03 – we see a clock ticking
Introduction to Characters	Mid-way through the starting sequence we see a man get out of a car. We can infer that in this particular scene he is the main character as the camera then follows him to the police officer. He is seen to be talking to the police officer, he then takes out his gun and points it towards the officer. It looks like the main character is black mailing him. We can tell that this man is dangerous; he is carrying a gun and is very open about it too. He knows he has power and he is using it in a way which it will benefit him.	1.33 – man walks out of car 1.41 – he is threatening the police officer with a gun
Setting up Plot	The fact that they have used a plane to transport something tells us that whatever it is that they have it’s a big deal. This is backed up when the police officer seems to be yelling at the main character, and then the main character pulls out a gun, threatening him with it. It suggests to us (the audience) that what they are transporting may not be legal. This is setting the plot as it could be telling us that this is who the hero of the story is going to have to deal with. It’s giving us some back ground on the character.	0.49 – we can see a plane on the runway 1.41 – the main character is threatening the police officer
Pace and Rhythm	The editing is fast pace; it’s parallel to the music too. This may be to alert the audience, telling them that they need to be paying attention to what is going on. However it contrasts with the clock which is repeatedly shown in the sequence, as the time on the clock is moving slower, it may have been used to show verisimilitude, and to show the reality of what is going on. The main character of this scene could be yelling at the officer to try and tell him to hurry up.	2.56 – clock is ticking 1.39 – main character is seen yelling at the officer
Mood and Tone	Throughout the whole of the opening scene non-diegetic music has been used. Its fast pace, reflecting the scene very well, the sound is parallel to the camera shots and editing, there are many fast cuts over and over again. It could have been produced this way to show a sense of urgency. The music sound electronic and full of sound effects, one is used when the man steps out of his car, it’s a very low sound, it could have been used to show danger, that this man is a dangerous character.	0.40 – start of the first scene 1.33 – main character is getting out of his car.