Film Opening Analysis 5 - Resident Evil Afterlife (2010)

The opening scene of ‘Resident Evil’ is a very significant part of the film as it attracts the audience and draws them into the rest of the film. The use of camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene techniques enhances the sequence and therefore create meanings throughout the scene. 

Throughout the opening scene, the director has made the woman the centre of attention so that the audience would be drawn towards her. The combination of camera and mise-en-scene expresses this. For example, the first clip was focused straight to the main character. The camera shot was focused towards her high heels, which suggests power and authority. Moreover the high heel shoes are the only vibrant colour in the clip which also suggests how determined the director wanted the audience to notice them. Another technique that was used to make the main character the centre of attention was to to have everyone holding up a umbrella apart from her. This instantly creates a divide between her and her surroundings, which also can question her humanity in the film. The director has purposely done this due to that fact that he wants the audience focusing on her solely. During the close-ups of the main character, the camera shots have been focused onto her and the background being blurred. This is also another factor that has been incorporated to make the woman the centre of attention in the opening scene. Lastly she is also seen as the centre of attention because of the fact that she is centred in the frame which therefore  creates a sense of importance to the audience.

The use of sound in the opening scene of ‘Resident Evil’ is very much as important as the pictures, due to its involvement of creating meaning throughout the sequence. For example, the use of non-diegetic soundtrack that was used created a uncertainly during the opening. As the woman’s face was revealed the bass of the music cut out, which acted as a silence. This created suspense because the audience was waiting for a event to occur.

The combination of camera and editing in the opening sequence of the film is significant because it creates meaning between the characters and the storyline. For example, the whole opening sequence is shot in slow motion. This is significant because it accentuates the mood and expresses the movement of the characters actions. A example of this in the opening is when the woman notices the man staring at her. Slow motion is important in this instance as the audience can easily notice them being wary of each other. Moreover this type camera and editing technique creates suspense because a intense situation is occurring at a slow pace. Another editing technique used to create meaning throughout the sequence is the use of credits and credit transitions. The director has used uncanny font to express to the audience the type of film that is being shown. The director has used movement of the people and their umbrellas to bring the credits in and out of the frame. He has done this so that the credits disappear from the sequence discreetly, and not having to break up the flow of tension that is occurring in the film. Another technique that is used to create tension and eeriness to the opening is by using genre specific colour grading. Colour grading is a very important factor for moving image as it creates mood and meaning. In this instant, the opening scene of Resident Evil, the director has created a heavy grade, where the greens and blacks have been bought up and the vibrant colours pulled down.