Opening scene analysis

This is the opening sequence from the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, directed by Marc Foster.

The destination for this opening sequence is exotic Sienna, Italy. The sequence begins with a car chase along the cliff top, coastal road. Gradually as the chase progresses the characters enter a working quarry and finally as the sequence ends bond returns to rural rustic Sienna where it concludes before cutting to the opening credits and theme song.
    Straight away as a viewer the theme is set that this film is going to be an action thriller, due to the car chase and immediate exchanges of gun fire. We can also gather that this is not a film running on a tight budget, from the amount of damage done to expensive equipment such as the cars.
    Obviously as the opening is a car chase, cars are involved. To be precise we encounter James Bonds slick, black Aston Martin which gives bond an aura of wealth and importance as this item is in his possession. We also encounter many other vehicles and machinery, such as diggers and equipment in the quarry as well as civilian cars on the road. There also many weapons used throughout this scene such as machine guns and pistols.

   We have five sets of characters in the opening scene of this movie. Firstly we have James Bond (played by Daniel Craig), we then come across the so called 'bad guys' who are pursuing in cars whilst also shooting at him. We also are introduced to the local Police who discover the car chase and pursue but end up flying of the edge of the cliff! There are civilians who are making up the scene by driving on the road and are not involved with the actual plot of the story but happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Finally we are left with the introduction, at the very end of the scene, to bonds hostage, the man tied up in the boot of his car, giving us reason for why the men were pursuing him.
    Camera angles and Sound were vital in presenting this sequence in the right way. Wide shots of the whole road and area combined with close ups of the actors faces allowed emotion to be conveyed, as well as allowing the audience to keep up with the plot of the story. The enhanced sound of the cars and gun shots also helped to enhance the action theme and really set the tone of the story that is to lay ahead.