Thriller opening - Memento.

We have to blog what we have done in the lesson so instead of writing about the normal things like music, titles and editing, I have decided to blog about other thriller openings that I have watched. I decided to watch Memento as we have watched it in one of our lessons before. I will talk about the good points in the opening and the bad points.
Here are some of the good points about memento:

I think that the blue writing at the beginning of the film gave a good contrast to the picture in the background. Blue represents a calm environment, whereas the picture behind the title represents danger and evil. The title of the film can be seen as calm due to the colours but the font of the title seems sharp and edgy, which suggests that there may be some danger throughout the film. Also, the picture of the blood up the wall and the man laying down shows what the film will be like. I think this opening sequence is effective and sets the scene very well for the rest of the film.

I think that the low, sombre music at the beginning is very effective. At the end of the film, the same music is played which links to the storyline of the film, beginning with the music and ending with the same music at the, in the same way that the first scene plays back at the end of the film. The score suits the film really well and it gives the feeling of calmness towards the audience to suggest that nothing serious is happening yet.  

I also think that at the end of the polaroid sequence when the picture goes white and blank, it links with the story that Leonard has a blank mind and he cannot remember previous memories. The polaroid picture also symbolises the 'memento' that Leonard keeps throughout the rest of the film to try and track back his memories. This sets the scene very well and gives an idea of what the story is about.

The black and white colours are used to suggest that not everything in Leonard's world is "black and white".. he has to keep memories on pictures to make sure he can live life without feeling that he doesn't know what is going on.. it is not all easy for him.Also, when the polaroid picture is in colour and the rest of the background is in black and white, it suggests that the picture indicates something important to do with the story of the film. Also, there are not alot of camera angles and techniques used in the opening, but I find this a good thing because I think it gives a sense of mystery. The camera isn't showing too much, so it leave the audience asking questions about what might happen next, which will intrigue them into watching more of the film.

to be continued ... (:

I'm now going to finish this blog off with what  I think the weaknesses of the opening sequence of memento are:

I found that there wasn't enough shots that were different. There was alot of close-ups of objects, whereas I think there should have been more flashbacks, to give a story of his past.Using fast shots of flashbacks would have given an effect of the camera snapping a picture which would have been good to be used as a graphic match.

I think that the opening may have given too much away with the shooting of the man. Throughout the rest of the film it is a story about trying to find the man who raped Leonard's wife and beat her, but the start of the film kind of gives away who the person who did it, is.

Also, I think that the polaroid picture at the start was in the shot for too long but apart from this, I really liked the opening of this thriller because it made me, as the audience, wanting to watch more of the film because it seemed interesting and mysterious.