Analysis of three opening sequences

Shutter Island

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The setting is established by a wide camera shot. It pictures an isolated lake with minimal human life in front of what appears a natural forest. The non-diegetic music emphasises that this is a Thriller movie due to the suspense created by the hyperbolic repeated classical music which crescendos coincided with a zoom shot. This continues where the detective characters including the protagonist, Leonardo Dicaprio.  A sign which states 'Remember us for we to have lived,loved and laughed'. Although this may firstly appear ambiguous, the 'camera time' focused on it implies it's meaning may foreshadow as the movie progresses. Simplistic editing is used through out such as cutting shots in order to signify simplicity, which is a theme amongst a prison. Continuity with the non-diegetic music occurs to present an enclosed environment. The scene concludes by a point of view camera shot on the front of the old fashioned open roof Jeep. This provides an intense perspective in which the audience feel involved in the movie. 

Gone girl

The audience are slowly introduced to a 'dream like' atmosphere which is emphasised by the angelic non-diegetic music. The male protagonist's narrative tone is both therapeutic and relaxing in order to reinforce to the audience his thoughts are a 'norm' and accepted. Stereotypically, in horror thrillers blonde female characters are associated with death so these uncomfortable and disturbing emotive language used by the male character is some what expected. However, as it is performed in a subtle manner it becomes uncomfortable. When a close up is established of her face is purity and innocence is represented. This is supported by the 'camera-time' of her face arguably connoting that their is more to her other than a 'pretty face'.  She turns around when he refers to 'answers' implying that this protagonist throughout will investigate in discovering unanswered questions. Furthermore the rhetorical questions asked at the end of the scene is evidently what the continued plot perhaps may evolve around.

The two main characters are introduced where a clear connection between both of  them is made by the clear juxtaposition. For example: firstly they each sit in front of their individual mirrors where he puts on his mask, she puts on her lipstick which connotes a similar display of her 'mask'. Additionally, both put on footwear and both also dress in black.The cross-cutting and parallel editing technique is used to emphasis the simultaneously actions and that these characters will certainly meet at some point as the movie continues.This concept is notified by the 'news report' which outlines both plot and unites characters. The close up camera shots express the female characters' beauty to engage male target audience. This contrasts to the engaging mask which appears ambiguous the audience which performs intriguing elements. The narrative voice over from the news reports displays modern themes within society such as secularisation. Thus implies aspects of religion may foreshadow. The subtle non-diegetic angelic music reinforces the narrative voice and the transition between the characters movement.