Skyfall Opening Skyfall Opening SequenceSequence

AnalysisAnalysis

Harry LawteyHarry Lawtey

SoundSound► The song used creates a interesting mix of glamour and The song used creates a interesting mix of glamour and

impending doom. It is this feeling that lingers through all the impending doom. It is this feeling that lingers through all the Bond films. On this occasion it is done with the use of jazzy Bond films. On this occasion it is done with the use of jazzy instruments played in the minor key.instruments played in the minor key.

► The first line of the song is “This is the end”. At this point the The first line of the song is “This is the end”. At this point the audience have just seen Bond shot, therefore leading us to audience have just seen Bond shot, therefore leading us to question his immortality. This is followed by “hold your question his immortality. This is followed by “hold your breath” relating to how he has just plunged into waterbreath” relating to how he has just plunged into water

► Towards the end of the sequence Adel sings the word Towards the end of the sequence Adel sings the word “Skyfall” at the same time as a silhouette of the former Bond “Skyfall” at the same time as a silhouette of the former Bond residence is shown. This reinforces the good correlation residence is shown. This reinforces the good correlation between what we are hearing and what we are seeing in the between what we are hearing and what we are seeing in the mise en scene.mise en scene.

Mise En SceneMise En Scene► At the beginning of the sequence we see what appears to be a sea creature in the water At the beginning of the sequence we see what appears to be a sea creature in the water

but we can then see it is in fact James Bond as gun target. This represents how Bond is a but we can then see it is in fact James Bond as gun target. This represents how Bond is a targeted man in the film. The Target is also leaking blood. Blood I water has intertextuality targeted man in the film. The Target is also leaking blood. Blood I water has intertextuality with JAWS and this will become immediately apparent with a contempory audience. It may with JAWS and this will become immediately apparent with a contempory audience. It may suggest that he is attracting dangerous attention.suggest that he is attracting dangerous attention.

► We then see a short interlude where falling knives become grave stones. This foreshadows We then see a short interlude where falling knives become grave stones. This foreshadows what is to come in the film as Javier Bardem’s character is killed with a knife, at a what is to come in the film as Javier Bardem’s character is killed with a knife, at a graveyard.graveyard.

► Next Bond sees silhouettes of himself attacking him. The represents that Bonds problems Next Bond sees silhouettes of himself attacking him. The represents that Bonds problems are self inflicted. The last of these silhouettes is actually of Bardem’s character. This are self inflicted. The last of these silhouettes is actually of Bardem’s character. This connotes that after conquering himself, he must then conquer him. After watching the film connotes that after conquering himself, he must then conquer him. After watching the film we see this is in fact the case.we see this is in fact the case.

► Towards the end of the sequence we can see a Chinese dragon heading straight at the Towards the end of the sequence we can see a Chinese dragon heading straight at the camera in the mise en scene. It is clear to see that one of the reasons that this has been camera in the mise en scene. It is clear to see that one of the reasons that this has been put there as it would lend itself well to 3D, which was of course an option when the film was put there as it would lend itself well to 3D, which was of course an option when the film was shown. The Asian story line in the film is once again an attempt to capitalise on the shown. The Asian story line in the film is once again an attempt to capitalise on the increasing popularity of western cinema in Asia. For this reason the film demonstrates increasing popularity of western cinema in Asia. For this reason the film demonstrates intertextuality with the most recent of the Wolverine movies.intertextuality with the most recent of the Wolverine movies.

► Most of the film is animated allowing the lighting to be constantly adjustable. This doesn’t Most of the film is animated allowing the lighting to be constantly adjustable. This doesn’t allow the audience to settle in a scenario therefore keeping them on edge.allow the audience to settle in a scenario therefore keeping them on edge.

Editing + CameraEditing + Camera►Both the camera work and editing is Both the camera work and editing is

fast moving yet remains with a fluid fast moving yet remains with a fluid quality. This helps maintain the quality. This helps maintain the audiences interest in a sequence that audiences interest in a sequence that essentially is not for their enjoyment. essentially is not for their enjoyment. It also makes the hints for the plot line It also makes the hints for the plot line slightly more ambiguous to stop the slightly more ambiguous to stop the audience from guessing.audience from guessing.