Analysis of two thriller openings

Memento:
This opening engages the audience by showing them what is going to happen and get them to start to guess about how and why it has happened. It also introduces the audience to the characters but only shows a small part of them. This is done by the dialogue used between characters and by the inner monologue used. The opening shows mystery by having the first scene going backwards it shows the future but does not say how it got to that point. The opening titles are all done in the same blue font and shown before any movement so its on a still background, this keeps the audience guessing about what is being shown in the picture the character is holding. The music shows that this is a tragic opening scene and that it is a sad moment in the film, this is also shown to be the point when the two characters are shown to have previously been friends. Props have been placed separately so when having an extreme close up on them it is clear for the audience at what they should be taking note of, and it tells them about what has happened. It shows the bullet show you know that one of the characters has been shot and with the characters glasses on the floor away from everything it shows which one of them has been shot. The editing has been used so the speed of the shots quickly picks up just before the gun gets fired to highlight the tension in this scene and how quickly it all happened. The camera looks up at the main character to show that he is the one with the power and is in control of the situation. The opening scene being played in reverse shows that the rest of the film will be set before this, and that this is the ending.

Enemy of state:
The opening scene pulls the audience in because they want to know why an authority figure would have another killed and if he has gotten away with it. It also makes it look like he has gotten away with it because it is a very open and empty setting with no one around. It shows the authority figure a cruel unjust man who does anything to get his own way, but does not introduce any of the other characters of the film. This starts to  make the audience think that there is no one who can stand up to this man. It shows that the character is trying to get his way with a new law but is facing lots of problems with it. The shots highlight who is talking and to whom. So they will have close up shots on the one talking or they would have an over the shoulder shot, this is done to keep it simple and easy to follow for the audience. It uses long shots to highlight that it is a calm situation and that the authority character was in charge and knew what he was doing. The opening titles are shown at the same time as in the background the audience is being show where the film is based and the editing highlights the point of tracking people and how it is done everywhere. The music hints that there will be lots of action and tension in the film, this is done by the music having quite a fast pace to it and keeping with the editing. The shots highlight who is talking and to whom. So they will have close up shots on the one talking or they would have an over the shoulder shot, this is done to keep it simple and easy to follow for the audience. It uses long shots to highlight that it is a calm situation and that the authority character was in charge and knew what he was doing.