Opening Sequence Analysis - 'Goldeneye'

The opening sequence we have chosen is Martin Campbell's 'Goldeneye' based on Ian Flemings character James Bond.

The scene starts with the recognizable white circle crossing the middle of the picture accompanied by music that is now famous for building tension, action and the start of a Bond film. James Bond then turns and shoots at the screen, this is followed by a blood effect which drops from the top of the screen. This shows his class but also his ruthlessness. You have now been introduced to the main character so the music fades away and the film begins.

'Goldeneye' begins with an establishing shot of a plane flying over a damn, the music has changed to a deeper, softer, mysterious tone as you try to understand whats happening. Notice how the camera zooms into the damn and not follow the plane, now the audience know its the damn that's going to be the focus, not the plane. The camera follows the aircraft in and begins having long shots of Bond running across the damn with the background music slowly increasing in volume and tone. At this point the music dies away and we are left with the main character standing on the edge of the structure as he jumps we hear the wind whistling past him and tells the audience this is a dangerous act. At the end of this part, it is established that Bond is unlike any other man, he is a spy, who has gadgets at his disposal. This will tell the audience he is some form of secret agent.

On entering the building a close up of Bond's eyes is the most the audience has seen of his face and shows his calm and focus. His dark clothes are seen as military and stealthy. The audience see a man in the toilet and then from bird's eye view you see Bond take off the grate. From then you know Bond is about to attack. The man is seen reading a newspaper, which tells the audience he is unaware of the imminent attack. We see the other man in the toilet leave the room, which tells the audience the man on the john is alone. Then comes the first dialogue. This makes a change from the music which preceded it.

After this, we see Bond move out through a door with his weapon in hand and ready to fight ,the silencer indicates he still hasn't been found. Once again the Bond theme kicks in as the pace of the film picks up. He now begins to look around the area checking where he is and needs to go with quick movements and sharp camera work. He encounters the barrel of a gun with someone speaking Russian. However this turns out to be his colleague and both continue the mission together, this increases tension but turns to relief as they know each other.