Expendables opening scene analysis

                Expendables opening sequence analysis

 I think that the purpose of the opening scene is to hook and  enhance the experience for the reader so that they continue to watch the feature due to its suspense and atmosphere. When you put it into consideration, the opening sequence of the feature is arguably one of if not the most important scene due to the fact that it is approximately the deciding factor whether the spectator continues to watch.In a perfect situation, the opening sequence of any piece of media forces the audience to refrain from deviating away from watching the feature with techniques such as various camera shots and angles all the way to the various digetic and non-digetic sounds used. From the very beginning of the movie we are introduced to a hostile environment which displays the six main characters of the feature engulfed in a difficult situation. This is communicated to the audience by the use of close ups of the characters faces which displays their facial expressions which connote that they are involved in a dangerous activity. The invitation of fear is lit up across the faces of the enemies as they are in clear shock and amazement that the main characters have showed up to destroy their plans.

There are multiple features and techniques involved within the first few minutes of the feature that effectively convinces the audience to continue to watch the feature. The opening sequence of the expendables presents different semiotics in the form of symbols and signs; for example each of the characters are welding a very large gun each which typically is a frightening symbol. This alone suggests that the feature is going to involve elements that are very action packed and full of fast paced moments which will never render a boring scene. The clear dominance is established between the group as the camera shot and angle both lower in order to connote that Silvester Stalone is the dominant character in the feature and this is also further proven with the addition of his dialogue in which he fires out orders and commands at the various men along side him. A cat walk in which they are standing on is a huge distance higher from what the floor the enemies are standing on which highlights the fact that the are much more dominant than the pirates and offer a much greater threat. 

Once the action commences the camera retreats and focusses on the various multiple flashes of the gunfire which is raining down on to the pirates. The sounds used for this particular part of the opening sequence are entirely digetic as the gunfire is the only sound that can be heard apart from the occasional bullet shell ricocheting of the walls and falling onto the floor.