Analysis of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo opening sequence

This is a different genre to the other opening sequences I have analysed. I am analysing different genres to understand the different ways opening sequences can be structured and the different impacts they can have on the audience.

Genre
The music playing connotes a thriller/action genre. The humans covered in oil kissing suggests romance and passion.



Narrative
The editing to the opening titles is very fast past suggesting a quick paced storyline. The use of black oil spreading suggests secrets that could damage are being spread around. This is backed up by the setting fire of the oil which connotes damage being done. The phoenix suggests rising of hope or revenge being played out in the film.
Character
The characterisation in this opening titles is amazing. The oil covering the female suggests she is very mechanical and cold and her personality is being suppressed by some type of mental condition like autism. This is backed up by the computer jacks that are being pulled towards her and the computer keypad creating her identity really well.

This is also shown through the female being punched in the face repeatedly but just repairing herself connoting her being very strong on the inside. The Phoenix suggests whenever she does get down she rises above it. The male character coming from the water to be covered in oil connotes that he understands her even if he is not the same. The constant kissing between them connotes the idea that they have romantic interest in each other but something that is different than the typical normal relationship.
Atmosphere
The opening titles are very dark connoting a mysterious atmosphere. The flames suggest that the atmosphere may be slow at first but quickly heats up.
Themes
The dark in the opening titles suggest a mystery theme. The computers suggest a technical theme and the fire suggests an action theme
Setting
Through out the opening titles not much is given away about the setting. The water suggests a lake or the sea.
Sound
The music suggests a very tense film. It has various volume changes suggesting different paces of action throughout the film. The repeated oahhhoo suggests a repeating theme throughout the film.
Titles
The titles are not integrated into the clip apart from at the beginning when the oil covers the title.

Evaluation
This opening sequence is very effective and shows the audience a wide range of techniques used to illustrate the story line. The techniques may illustrate the story but they don't give anything away which is how an opening sequence should be. The graphics used are amazing and really create the feeling of a good film.

You can find the opening sequence to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo below