The Dark Knight Analysis

Before I take the task of creating my own film opening I need to look at some professionally made film openings. Then I will be able to analyse them, but also to give me some ideas.

So first, I have chosen the film opening of The Dark Knight. (I must say my personal favourite this is)  
(Intro of film found below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-8Lssf3_Yg

(I will only be analysing up to 3 minutes and 28 seconds, as the rest of the clip is the film itself and past the intro timing)

Analysis

We first realise that this is the film opening as for a few split seconds before the symbolising batman shape appears within the blue smoke.

Straight after the symbol is revealed we are shown an establishing shot, this sets the scene for us. This is actually the very beginning of the film which doesn't include any credits. From the establishing shot the camera zooms in on a window being smashed open. The smashing of the window creates suspense and indulges the audience from the start. Furthermore it makes the audience think of reasons why the window is being smashed.

From that we shown two men dressed in dark clothes with clown masks. So, now from the breaking of the glass and the first sighting of clowns, we are on the perspective of the antagonist. This creates drama and can start to give us an insight that some sort of trouble will be coming up next.

We then start to get an understanding of character importance as the next cut involves a ten second slow focus on the clown mask belonging to the third revealed henchman. This slow and enclosing focus tells us that this certain character has big importance to the plot and film.

The audience are shown the first two clowns zip wiring across to the adjacent building, this shows that the main event of the intro  has begun. Now the audience will start to anticipate for something big to happen as action slowly occurs.

The intro then has action shots going between the two sets of clowns. The first original two, working on the alarm system and then the new set of three running into the bank. But the audience should notice how the camera (when on the set of three clowns) follow the same main focus clown. The order of which we see the action is the side view of his movements and actions. This shows furthermore that this certain character has an importance and that he has the main role on what is to happen.

Therefore the intro to The Dark Knight is very good at creating suspense and allowing the audience to have a main focus to certain characters; who will further on in the film be a great importance and main character.