LH: Film Opening Analysis - 28 Days Later

Genre

"28 Days Later"(Danny Boyle, 2002) is a horror film that follows the life of Jim after he wakes up from a coma; the world is however a completely different place. The film is set in England four weeks after there is an outbreak of a virus that turns the dead into the undead. There is no known cure for the virus, so four unlikely comrades begin a journey to find asylum.

The text that they use for the title sequence starts of plain white in block capitals. It is then animated with blood diffusing through the letters as it would in water. Blood is a an iconic symbol of Horror, so the use of the blood moving across the text reinforces the audiences expectations that this film will be gory and violent.

The opening sequence for '28 Days Later' is montage edited. The piece has a quick paced cutting rate, which is matched with the jolted and vigorous action on screen. The use of images of ordinary people looking frightened, and riots introduces the audience to the disturbing and unfamiliar side to the film. The footage reinforces feeling of pain and upset, connecting directly to the genre. There is use of distressing images of monkeys in testing labs.

Throughout the opening sequence, it keeps cutting back to the same man walking alone. From this point know who the audience is positioned and consequentially see that he is alone. The man's surrounding are partially destroyed, with rubbish everywhere. The ideas of isolation and helplessness are presented through this which is unnerving for the audience. These feelings are what horror should project on the audience. An audience is not meant to feel comfortable whilst watching a horror film, but their psyche it meant to be challenged and pushed so that they are transported to somewhere that is dangerous and chilling.

Film Language

Each time text is used, they show a black background and small writing. This conveys a sense of quarantine. The use of blood flowing through the letters creates a sense of danger and vulnerability. Other images that emphasise these emotions are the riot shields. Riot shields are only generally used when a situation has got out of hand; this allows the audience to see the sort of world where the film set, where violence is fundamental.

During the riot scenes the camera movement is very jolted, which supports the action on the screen. By using a hand-held camera the audience are made to feel close to the action. In these clips there are a mixture of shot sizes. In one shot there is a close up of a women and her baby so you can understand her emotions; the fear and misery that she feels. However, in other clips there are long shots so we are able to understand more easily what is happening on screen.

Whenever the protagonist is shown on screen the camera extreme long shots to show that he is completely alone. The camera is often in a high angle, placed in a building looking down on him, as if there is a hidden character watching him.

The music in this piece is strong and rapid, creating an energy to the clip. During the riot scenes the music anchors the on-screen action making a fast cutting pace. However the use of a blank screen slows the piece down slightly as the cuts move out of time wit the music. This is the same with the shots of Jim walking alone, as his movement is slow matching with the new cutting speed.

Through body language you can learn that Jim is confused and uncomfortable. This is apparent as the camera follows him walking aimlessly through the London. He seems to drag his feet as his head scanned the perimeter. He is wearing scrubs so we can learn that he has likely just come from a hospital.

Media Audiences

The target audiences for this film is adults, ranging from eighteen up to fifty, mainly male. I say this because of the character we are positioned with and the nature of some of the footage shown. Jim is in his twenties and is male which those of a similar age, or those who were once that age, to connect and recognise his lifestyle. The use of violence and distressing images acquires a mature audience.

Initial interpretations of the text are that there is violence going on in the world through various cultures, showing not one group as bad. This could be perceived as either a united front against one evil or the collapse and failure of society. The shots of Jim walking alone show that something devastating has happened in the world for London to be deserted.