Opening Scene Analysis | Angels & Demons (2009)

The opening scene begins with the company logos backed with a new version of the original theme from the first film in the Robert Langdon franchise, The DaVinci Code. It is mostly compiled of string instruments which, in the movie world, tends to be associated with tension. However, this piece uses the higher end of the string instruments which doesn't show this tension as much. What it does do is it allows the change in the tone of music to be even more effective. Once the choir is introduced and is combined with the heavy drums and lower strings, it helps create the element of tension that is a standard convention within thriller films. Using the choir helps establish that the film is set widely around a religious theme as the sound of the choir is mostly associated with the idea of church. The sound of metal-on-metal echoes (diegetic). This tells the audience that those scenes are set within a large hall or building, this helps highlight the importance of what we are seeing. This is further supported because there is no dialogue during this scene. A voice over then enters the scene. It helps tell the audience necessary information that helps clarify what we had seen on the screen. This helps give the audience an element of background information which will help support the rest of the story. It is a vital piece of information for the opening scene to actually make sense to someone who has no knowledge of the religion. The first thing we see in the frame is the ring. This helps highlight the importance of the object to someone who may have no understanding or knowledge of what it is. However, this idea of importance is then shattered in the following set of scenes where it shows Ewan McGregor's character marking the ring with a cross and smashing it with a hammer. This creates an element of enigma (Barthes) as the audience don't know what is happening and why it is happening. It is not until the voice over enters where the audience is told what they have just seen. The clothes that we see the actors wearing help show the audience that this is a religious institute. The white collar in the black robes, that Ewan McGregor's character is wearing, is an extremely recognisable icon inside and outside of the religious community. The first time we see Ewan McGregor's character is when he is destroying something that has already been established to have a large amount of importance. This could potentially present his character as being an antagonist of the film, however, this theory could then be shown to be false as the voice over clearly explains that what he was doing was required by the laws of the religion. The emotion that he is showing towards what he has had to do also help in proving the antagonist theory false. Although, if you have seen the film, you will know that his character is indeed an antagonist. The throne is shown in the centre of the frame (rule of thirds). This helps establish its importance. The huge crowd being shown as the deceased pope is brought out also helps highlight the importance of the situation that is being depicted throughout the whole opening scene. The opening scene starts with a panning shot, going around the ring. As mentioned earlier, this being the first thing we see, highlights the importance of it. There is a high-angle shot of some tools, this could show that we are looking down upon them as though they are dangerous and that they are to be used to do something that no one wants to do. There is a mid-shot of the bishops and camerlengo which helps tell the audience that the scenes are set within a religious institute. There is another high-angle shot of the now damaged ring, this is shown in a way that looks like we are looking down upon what has had to be done. It highlights the idea of the sadness expressed throughout the scene. The close up shot of Ewan McGregor's character helps show the emotions that he is expressing. This further helps show the sadness felt by those in the scenes. It also gives an insight of the character. The are a number of close-up shots that follow along with the voice over. When the seal is mentioned, it is shown on screen. When the throne is mentioned, it is shown on screen. This helps in the telling of background information to the audience. After the company logos are shown, it fades from black into the first scene of the ring. The title of the films is shown in the centre of the frame (rule of thirds). Standard cuts are used which helps show that the sequences we are seeing are happening after each other. This helps with the continuity of the opening scene and the added story telling. The low-key lighting is used to show that the sequence of destroying the ring is inside. It also helps add the element of sadness and perhaps tension, as low-key lighting in thriller films is mostly associated with those kinds of feelings. However, high-key lighting is then used in order to show that we are outside. This further helps support the idea of importance as we have to go outside whilst parading the deceased pope's body through the crowds of people. We couldn't have done that indoors as there is too large a following of people. In conclusion, the idea of importance is what is trying to be shown within this opening scene. However, it could also be trying the show the disequilibrium (Todorov) of the story, but, it could also be an element of enigma as we don't entirely know that this is the disequilibrium. If you have seen the film you will know that later on, an extremely dangerous scientific experiment is stolen. It is that which leads to the rest of the issues in the film.