My Own Film Opening Analysis

Batman (1989)

This opening doesn't give any clue to the characters or storyline (probably because it, being Batman, is so well known, there's no need for introductions). The opening is simply  panning through the setting; very closely, so as to keep an element of mystery, which is known to be a theme of the film, due to Batman's own secret identity. At the end of the sequence the camera pans to reveal the famous bat symbol.

The setting isn't really visible, but it seems to be panning around parts of buildings, which could suggest that the film takes place in a city.

The sound starts out very eerie and mysterious, reflecting the films themes, but builds to become very loud and climactic as the title is shown. It then changes to a very upbeat and grand feel, suggesting the film is an action film and there will be lost of fast paced scenes and urgency. The sound then returns to being calmer until finally getting bigger again when the directors name appears.

The titles aren't integrated. They're in a simple and formal font, to show the seriousness of the crimes etc. in the story, and are written in a bold yellow, to stand out and also fit with the colour scheme in the films logo. The titles start with the cast and crew and end with the director's name.

Grease 

Grease's opening tells quite a lot about the story and themes of the film, in order to set up the story for the audience. The very fitting and upbeat music suggests that it is a musical, and the attention drawn to a male and a female character suggests that it might also be a romance.

The narrative of the opening is the morning routine of the main characters and their travel to school. It mostly focuses on the main male and main female characters, with a little bit of focus on the slightly less major male and female characters and then a little less on the rest of main two groups. The main characters names, pop up beside the animated pictures of them, so you know who they are. 

The key themes the opening sequence suggests are:

• Music- due to the radio being enjoyed by the characters
• Love- due to their being a main male and a main female character
• Friendship- due to the introduction of the secondary characters, showing that they're important too, and also the introduction on the male and female friendship groups and their names
• Cars- due to the images of cars used a lot towards the end and the males seem to be fixing up a car.

The setting is quite old fashioned. The sequence occasionally shows different people and icons of the era, to set the scene for what the characters would have found 'cool' at the time.

The travel to school also shows the area the characters live in, which seems to be a city, suggesting that there's always something going on.

The sound fits well with the film, as it uses the word 'Grease' over and over. It is also an upbeat song which fits the popular music style of the era and is turned on the radio at the start, showing that it's what the characters wanted to listen to.

The titles are integrated in the sequence. They are added in to various objects in the animation and the characters that are in the animation have their character name and who plays then appear next to them as they are on screen. The titles start with the main cast, then the film title, then other cast and crew and finishes with the director.

Oz The Great and Powerful

This opening follows through the narrative of the story, briefly. As most people are aware of the story it is based on, it can afford to give more information away.

Th genre is clear through the music playing. It gives a very grand and magical feel, suggesting it is a fantasy film.

Character's such as Oz and the Wicked Witch are seen in this opening, as well as some of the creatures, who are all well known from the story The Wizard of Oz. This can set the scene for viewers and remind them of the sequel, so they are prepared for what will happen in this film. Also there is part of the plot revealed, briefly, as when the man and woman card puppets turn as they dance, the shadow of them quickly turns in to a witch shape. This happens as Mila Kunis' name is on screen, foreshadowing the fact that her character turns in to a witch later in the film.

With the sound and quite odd imagery, a very magical atmosphere is created. It starts off very happy, but does turn slightly eerie towards the end. This suggests themes of danger and complications, as the music gets darker and we see images of a twister and witches hands.

The titles are integrated into the sequence, with the main characters names appearing as an image of them does. Also the name of the music creator appears as an elephant playing the trumpet is shown, the costume designer's name appears as the elephant wears different pieces of clothing and the visual effects creator's name appears as and optical illusion type image appeared.