Analysis of Thriller Opening: The Bourne Ultimatum

When Analysing the 2 minute opening of the film, I looked at these 4 elements:

1. Camera Work
2. Mise en Scene
3. Editing

4. Sound

Diagram to show difference
Between Cross sutting and
Parrallel Editing- (Both types
cut between location 1 and
location 2).

1. Camera Work:

• From what I can see in the first 2 minutes of the film is that all of the shots were taken using a handheld camera or steady cam, however I feel the shots are made to be unsteady. The Camera almost follows the movement of the main character so we are able to witness everything that is going on-this builds suspense and tension as we can see that the man is being chased and we don't know whether of not the police are going to catch him. It is mysterious and builds suspense because we don't know why he is being chased in the first place and we want to find out what is happening. The quick movement of the camera also gives a sense of panic (that the character may be feeling).
• The camera I feel uses a sort of Point of View (POV) shot and throughout the opening everyshot appears to be made this way. The POV shot is almost like we are seeing what the character is seeing. For example at the start we are following the character, he is limping and the camera is moving a very similar motion, as he turns and looks down off of bridge the camera also turns to look over edge. (The clip of him looking over edge of bridge is the video below).
• The focus in this clip changes a lot, perhaps to show that the man has distorted vision (maybe from his injury) and this creates enigma around the character and builds suspense because we want to know what has happened to this character. 

2. Mise en Scene:

Screen shot showing low key lighting

• The Lighting is very dark and Low Key throughout the opening sequence, with a green/cyan hue to it (low saturation)-emphasising that it is a negative atmosphere. It also gives an element of mystery because it is very dark and so hard to see exactly what is going on (becuase of shadows for example).
• We can see from the mans facial expression and body language that he is injured-he is limping, bleeding and you can see the distress on the characters face. We can also tell straight away from the way the man is turning around a lot/looking behind him that he is being chased and he is trying to escape the situation. This creates enigma/mystery because we want to know what has happened to this man, why he is injured and running away from the police.
• The fact he is being chased by police is significant because it makes us think that he is the antagonist and that he must have done something bad to be chased by a number of police. This foreshadows the fact that suspense is created because we are unaware of the situation and what to find out whats happening and what will happen.

3. Editing:

• Parrallel Editing has be used in the chase scene to show to distance between the charcters and speeds up during the chase scene on the train to show how the two are getting closer, however it is not cross cutting because there is no collision/the two characters do not meet-he manages to escape them. However by quickening the cuts and increasing the number of shots and flashing between the characters, tension is built because we are able to see how they are getting closer and do not know whether or not the police will catch the man. Personally I feel that cross cutting is more succesful in a thriller and I would choose to use crosscutting, however the way they have used parrallel editing is effective becuase of the speed increase we think the characters will meet but they do not.
• As mentioned briefly above, the sequence uses quick cuts between shots to show all of the action taking place-so we do miss anything. It also helps to emphasise the intensity of the situation and gives a sense of panic, this is something that i feel builds suspense and could be used in our thriller opening.

4. Sound:

• There is a non diagetic track playing throughout the intro. The track is very mysterious and works effectivly to set the mood in the sequence. The track starts off loud as we see the man stumbling down the street and the police cars chasing him. The music then fades out as he thinks he has escaped them however when he sees the police chasing him, the music gets louder and the beat increases (perhaps symbolising his heartbeat).
• There is also a lot of diagetic sound in the opening. The siren of the police cars is very emphasised throughout the sequence to remind us if the intensity and seriousness of the situation/chase. The groans/heavy breathing of the man are also emphasised, to show us that he is in pain-this builds tension and we may begin to emphathise with the character.

By Holly King