Opening analysis of 'Se7en'

Opening credits of Se7en:



Link to opening credits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY

The film 'Seven' - which has been stylized as 'Se7en' - was directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker in 1995. The plot follows a retiring detective Mills (Morgan Freeman) and his replacement Somerset (Brad Pitt) worked together in order to investigate a series of bizarre and grotesque murders the match by inspiration of the seven deadly sins. In relation to the religious sins, they find a series of bodies with notes and inscribing attached to them or near them, such as LUST and PRIDE, which once investigating the individual, they realise their deaths relate to these themes. They come to realise that Doe (Kevin Spacey) is behind these horrific crimes, as he gives himself up to the FBI, with his explanation being of 'showing people what the world is, and what they deserve.' He also believes he will be 'admired and remembered' for years to come, which is churning to view as Spacey's performance is so hard-hitting, due to his tone being one of complete innocence, as well as his expression of normality.
Within the finishing scenes of the film, the three individuals travel out to the desert, under Doe's orders. A van appears, containing a package, to which Mills opens, finding Somersets' wife's severed head. From this, the grief-stricken Mills shoots down Doe, after it is revealed that his wife Tracey was pregnant, which completes Doe's sin of ENVY. On top of this, due to Mills taking a life from pure rage, the sin of WRATH completes the film. The picture ends with Somerset thoughtfully reciting Ernest Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls': "'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part." This film is a terrific thriller, as it is uncomfortable but addictive to watch, as well adding a hint of horror conventions, with bloody scenes, severed corpses and enough shocks that have the viewer jumping out of their seats.
Here is my analysis of the opening sequence:

• The first six seconds of the opening is an up-close shot of a large book, which has spread out pages which may hint at a religious theme, due to the Bible being large. However, the shallow focus of the book in comparison to the hand adds an eerie sense, as the pages are slowly turned and linger in the air. On top of this, the music is eerie and constant, with a synth holding the pace, adding an echo effect. On the bottom right of the shot, the titles appear, reading 'New Line Cinema Presents', which is presented in scratchy, etchy writing, which almost doubles in focus. The music sounds as though it has been conducted on a synth, as a ticking, dreary sound is heard. The overall opening shot is freaky and instantly adds a frightening atmosphere.
• The shot then cuts to black, showing varied slow-paced titles with the same scratchy writing, adding to the iconography of the film. Some of the titles are thick printed, whilst other contrast into thin, wiry letters. This is done to highlight certain areas of the titles, as well as being an omen for the writing motif to come within the rest of the credits.
• An aerial shot in low-key lighting shows a detailed sketching of creepy, spread-out hands, which hints at crime, although is most likely related to the stalking character. The notepad hints towards more writing, which may be a main theme throughout the film. The shot is darkened around the sides, hinting at enclosure, as well as a black space showing the white credits. A dark figured shadow passes this book, emphasizing a lingering, watching individual within the film. This is also aimed to scare the viewers. The music continues to droan, although it begins to wavy in audio.
• A fast-paced montage of three clips follows, featuring shots that relate to guns, which underlines crime. In relation to typical thriller conventions, crime is usually diluted, therefore hidden well in these clips
• Shot-reverse-shots are now featured, which go from a blank canvas including more scratchy, lingering titles, to interruptions of criminal-related scenes and books. These fast-paced images only last for 5 seconds, therefore stressing the pace of crime within the film. The non-diegetic music here fastens, as the ticking-timer sound fastens up. This could connote that time is running out, as well as a muffled heartbeat.
• A montage of extreme close-ups follow, which feature a blade, to it then being fingered, as well as a slight cut as part of the individuals skin peels off. Once As this happens, a almost scream-like pitch is heard, therefore emphasizing pain is to come.
• The shots then juxtapose to a slow-pace, as they are hard to acknowledge and appear morphed, connoting strange happenings. (For example, a photograph being stirred in water in shallow focus, to what appears to be water running.) I notice at this point that bleak colours are featured throughout, therefore hinting at the mood of either the film or individuals within it
• The title is then showed, lingering on a blank black background for the longest time period in comparison to the other lettering's. It extends larger after hovering, as well as flickering scribbles paralleling it. The title then dissolves onto a ambient clip, hovering for approximately four seconds, after fading with the panning of a book, which then opens. This may show that cases are to opened from the inspectors, with the title revealing the case - the 'Se7en' deadly sins.
• Various shot-reverse-shots then follow; from more titles to more books turning pages. Large letters are presented onto this clip, although vertical, which is sideways and likewise to the titles. The repetition of a book is ambiguous, either hinting at a religious reference or a criminal case
• An up-close shot of a page from the side is then presented, as someone writes information down. This same image is then repeated - almost like a dissolve effect - onto the same clip, giving a distorted feel. Therefore, distorted meanings and readings may be placed throughout the film, as well as the emphasis of the mass amount of words highlighting the confusement of the film. A hand then blurs other the top of this, hiding the individual, who is most likely the criminal; therefore, their identity will be hazy throughout the picture
• A cut of a book being written in is then displayed, although the shot has been filtered red. This highlights evil and blood. However, a focus pull lures the image back to reality, therefore showing a falseness of the criminal within the film
• An aerial shot follows, showing somebodies hands slicing up a film, which then cuts to it being stuck down into yet another book. This underscores the psycho, stalker label, as the repetition of books and documents shows someone recording various peoples events and live's. A montage of a scrapbook is featured, adding to this, with props such as clingfilm, tape, scissors, the person gluing them down and cutting out letters, adds to a certain weirdness of this film.
• As the credits continue, half second shots are featured with higher pitches, emphasizing weirdness. One particular shot is of someone holding a piece of paper, which has scribbles and information covering it, although a slight amount of blood is dripping from the bottom. From this, we learn pain may be inflicted. High key lighting is then used on the next cut, which shows a close up of a page from the side, with a shadow of a hand lingering. This is foreboding, as though someone is awaiting somebody. At this time, screechy, high-pitched music is heard - possibly connoting a scream?
• Again, a montage of images are used, in order to condense time, space, meaning and information. The repetitive using of this highlights the deeper core of these particular images, as they highlight crime, pain and danger. An unusual document int erupts these fast-paced passages, with an extreme close-up of a text discussing 'chemicals and pregnancy' - which is bizarre within itself, therefore elaborating the weirdness of this film. Parts of the text are highlighted with black, disclosing certain areas, with the music becoming higher once again. The shot then dissolves into the previous image of turning pages, which shows the events will 'turn'.
• A shot that can be highlighted is one with an unusual photograph of an individuals face within the top-right hand corner, which then shows an individual drawing over their eyes. It then jumps to their entire face being scrawled over, which is also bizarre and slightly peculiar.
• An extreme close up of an individuals finger places menacing pins into a book is threatening, hinting at more pain. The individuals hands are quite grubby looking, with their fingernails appearing dirty, as well as a bandage on one finger adding to post-injury. After watching the film, we can acknowledge that this individual is in fact Kevin Spacey's character, due to him injuring his hand. Therefore, this adds to the isolation of him, due to him collecting all of this information alone. The repetitive use of fingers and hands shows he is hidden and will not disclose himself, only revealing minor segments - likewise to the film
• This image then fades into a bright, high key light, therefore blocking out his identity. As well as this, an up close of a needle interrupts his session, followed by the same shot of his hands sewing thread into a book, which connotes his care into his crimes, as he is able to hide himself throughout the film. The opening sequence finishes on a slow pan of a row of books, which show they are an important aspect to the film. These rows of books contain the files of people, to which he has been conducting throughout this opening. The music fastens up here, until it ends on a distorted voice, which - although it may be part of the films score - could be the psycho's bizarre state of mind being presented. The overall sequence concludes on a loud drum beat, showing no conclusion.