Analysis of Momento

The opening scene starts up with a non-diegetic audio. The first shot the audience see somebody holding a photo. After awhile the audience can see a more photo as we see that that it seems to be a blood. The audio that plays behind the scene gives an idea to the audience that the genre the film can be a thriller, as the tension being played by the non-diegetic soundtrack. Furthermore the picture can give us an indication of the genre of the film as the picture contains bloody images which are often related to thriller/horror.

The opening credits are placed in the middle of the scene which makes the credits stand out more. The first credit shows the audience what the film title is, 'M E M E N T O' this is an unusual way of lettering the title. This is all written in capitals and is placed in the middle of the frame. This is clever way of presenting the lettering because it stands out towards the audience and is eye-catching.

As the camera angle changes from the photo towards the man who is holding the picture is a medium shot of the actor. As the audience see the character we can see he is tensed. Also by looking at his face we see cuts and marks on his face. This could indicate that he has been involved in some kind of fight.

Diegetic sounds start to starts as the camera flashes, a close-up shot appears of blood dripping down a wall. The audience can see the male’s glasses on the floor along with a bullet, giving the impression it has been used. Then a little flashback comes on the scene so we the audience can see what really happened and who killed the man. The camera shot then changes into a medium-shot from behind a male at a high angle. The scene changes to black and white and we hear a narrative (the character) talking.

To conclude I think in my opinion Memento has a very clever/unusual opening sequence. The camera shots were very clever and involved many different angles which made the sequence look even better. The editing was also very good especially when we see the flash back and when the shots were reversed. Was a very clever way of making it, so the audience knows what happened before he died.

The usual suspects analysis

The opening scene starts off with a close up on some matchsticks as they are lit, the camera is tilting up to a medium close up of a wounded character. A panning shot is used to show a barrel and its fuel, the fuel within it is flowing out straight next to the wounded character. The wounded character drops the match to light the fuel. As the fuel is lit a series of cuts are used to show the flow of the fire towards the direction of the fuel barrel. As the fire flows, throughout the cuts, in the background the camera shows a dead body laying there, this explains parts of the story of the movie, as it shows that the opening sequence is a crime scene.

Th art of editing - Enemy of the state

This sequence is used to build up tension to the audience. The camera angles and the editing has build up tension even more, for instance when the two characters were having a conversation, the camera angles change quickly to show each characters facial expressions. The sound track also used throughout the video also builds up tension to the audiences. The camera angle when the characters were talking was put at the same angle, so when the characters changed talking it was still at the same camera point.

This close up of the man’s hand is very effective; as this shows the audience what he is doing is something important. The quick camera angles of him putting a memory chip in and taking it out makes the audience think something is going to happen/suspense.

This median shot makes the audience see both the characters and their expression on what they are doing. This makes people see what is happening as he puts the memory chip. Mainly this median shot was taken for the audience to see the environment the characters are in and to show us the atmosphere there.

Shot one has been a very quick shot and a tracking shot of the man running with armed weapons. The camera locations changes to what is happening outside the building and changes back quickly to what is happening inside the building – this builds tense towards the audience. The music also makes the scene more tensing.

 Shot two this shot is a close up to the computer he is using after he has loaded the memory chip. This builds up tension as you can see the characters more serious.

The editing of this sequence fits in rather well with the thriller genre because of the soundtrack in the scene of the men outside. The tone of voice also helps as it does not sound excited and is a sort of serious tone of voice. Also the editing from one setting/scenario to another also adds to the thriller effect. Overall, the editing of this sequence fits in well with the thriller genre of the film.