Opening sequence of Constantine analysis!!! (;

The opening sequence starts with the name of the film ‘Constantine. The title and the background are grey and black and this can suggest that it’s a dark, scary and mysterious film. The lights start in one side of the screen then moves to the other side creating shadows and this can suggest a mysterious, scary atmosphere for the audience.  The music is menacing and ominous which can suggest that the movie is scary and strange then the music stops then the scene fades into black then the scene opens with a kitchen window and in the background you can hear the sound of a kettle on with smoke coming out of it suggesting that it’s finished boiling. This can show that something it about to happen because of the sound the kettle makes. The setting is in an apartment in Los Angeles is also clearly shown because of the opening scene and this can set the audience.

 Then a lady comes and turns the kettle off and in the background you can hear the radio on – in this scene the camera is tracking backwards – to show the audience the place/apartment. Then the camera cuts to a medium shot of the kitchen and the lady and this can introduce or show the setting and the status of the family. Then the lady pours the tea in a cup and the camera cuts to a close up then an over the shoulder shot suggesting that we are about to see something and it also shows the other part of the apartment – creating tension and enigma in the audience. The camera then tracks the lady to one of the rooms in the apartment  and she opens the door and suddenly she screams and drops to the floor creating suspends, tension and mystery to the audience making them want to continue watching the movie and see what is happening.

The camera then cuts to a high angle and an extreme close up of the woman’s face looking terrified and scared and then prays creating tension in the audience. Then the camera cuts to a low angle and slowly opens the door to reveal to the audience what it happening. The other woman standing upside down in the top corner of the wall and looking as if the devil has possessed her or something really bad happened to her. Then the camera cuts to the woman’s reaction and this is called a reaction shot. Then she screams very loud so the camera first shows the corridor then the stairs then the outer part of the apartment to show how loud her voice was. Then a yellow taxi crosses the camera and stops with the name of the city which is ‘angel city’ and this can suggest that the movie is about angels and supernatural things etc.

The camera then cuts to a low angle of the person in the taxi throwing his cigarette down in slow motion creating a sense of mystery. Then the camera cuts to an extreme close up of the cigarette on the floor and the camera then cuts to a high angle and the person from the taxi comes out suggesting that the protagonist is someone important and the audience want to know who he is then the camera cuts to a crane shot showing the place from above showing the setting which can suggest the status of the family living in this place.  Then the main protagonist emerges and gets introduced to the audience slowly with the camera tracking him upwards. The protagonist looks like he has been doing this job for a very long time and he is just very used to it to a point that he is now very bored with it and he is smoking which can suggest that he is stressed and bored with his job and wants to change. He also opens the door is a careless way which shows that he is fed up.

Then the camera cuts to the corridor and the camera forward tracks and from the main characters point of view. The protagonist is in the centre of the screen suggesting that he is superior and the main character. He acts in a very relaxed way suggesting that he knows what he is doing and then he whispers to the ladies ears (the one who is possesses) that he is Constantine so the audience can now figure out why the movie is called this name. This also can suggest that he is immorality and that the evil spirits all know who he is. He also speaks with the other people in their own language and this can suggest that he’s been used to foreign people. Constantine starts to give orders and everybody obeys him suggesting that he is superior and his status is important and above the others. The taxi driver pretends to be Constantine and this part creates a kind of humor to the audience. The colors are all dull but dirty bright which can suggest the time of day this drama is all happening in which is morning because the people are all wearing their pajamas and the lady was preparing breakfast. Also the main protagonist is wearing black to show that he is important and to make him stand out. The part in which the mirror does not go out of the window creates more tension and makes the audience wanting to continue to watch and sit on the edge of their chairs. Then it ends with the evil spirit out and dead and the girl who was possessed is back to normal. Then an extreme close up of Constantine looking relived that his job here is over.