OPENING ANALYSIS-THE OTHER GUYS

By Solo Shariff-Hickey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac6Gl-rYyUI

Establishing shot coupled with narrator sets the nature of the film (helicopter camera)-titles added on to opening sequence. The setting is part of the NYC skyline, which has connotations of a crime drama and police. “There’s a fine line between law and chaos” – Narrator: Reaffirming the idea of crime and police.

Changes to handheld shot at LS showing sporadic nature of the scene as the opening unfolds; further developing the ideas of the establishing shot. Makes it seem out of control, sporadic.

MLS on first character to show relation to the scene, leaving background out of focus resembling that he's more important than the events around him however; keeping them in shot shows that they have relevance to the scene.

Star power is used within this opening scene. Both actors, Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L Jackson, are established in crime, action as well as comedy; this shows how there is credibility to the film in its themes as well as adding appeal to the target audience.

Camera moves swiftly to second character at same camera distance, shows their equal levels in the current situation. Shows his own relationship to the area and the other character. Use of walkie talkie props shows the two characters are connected to each other by direct link; dialogue. This also shows the closeness of their relationship.

Character drives out of shot in a type of walking shot; in how the character enters the shot and leaves, showing that the overall focus of the scene isn’t on this point but what he is going towards. This shows the intensity of the car chase picking up as his movement out of the shot resembles him speeding up.

Constant sporadic movement of camera resembles the event itself as it's also a sporadic uncontrollable scene, double enforced by the cars' own movements being similar to the cameras'.

This shot (MS) is used to create a nonchalant attitude to this character in his firing a gun out the window of his car window and laughing. Non diegetic sound - the music – adds to the relaxed nature of character inside car.

Close up on assailant is a use of stereotypes-Rastafarian drug dealer-connotations of marijuana and other drugs.

ECU on bullet shows it's going to do significant effect. Lack of reaction to bullet reflects nonchalant attitude of man in car.

Same shot is always used when looking at the back of the car to show the perspective of the man in the car, making you feel closer to the action.

All men in car fit the stereotype of the drug dealer type, car interior also enforces this.

Series of close ups shows how the action is intensifying-on faces and actions to enforce this feeling of intensity even more.

Motions and attitudes of both cops shows how they're meant to be cool and casual, that this is all just another day to them. Facial expressions and dialogue are used to convey this. The music is very contrast to the scene, showing how relaxed the two are, that it's so easy for them now.

Use of slow motion in jump shows how it's an intense point, but the short duration of it again shows how it's all too easy for them, even further shown in the fluid motions that follow this point.

The fact that the driver (police) is more concerned with a dent in his car than the gunfire shows how he's so nonchalant. Also, at this point, the two are on an equal level which reflects the idea of them being partners rather than one superior to the other.

Aerial view now shows the relation of the chase to its surroundings.

Violence between both cars again raises tension, and the effect on the environment is now seen, this shows an escalation of action and therefore the chase.

Use of calm and relaxed speech in reaction to gunfire shows how he's not worried at the concept of being shot, again; more concerned with the car and a sense of a nonchalant attitude.

Increased effect on the surroundings is now happening.

Two characters fire guns at the same time, this synchronization shows they've been partners a long time and that there’s a long running backstory between the two.

•The use of the gun added to the walkie talkie enforces the idea of a cop movie, and the characters attitudes showing it's a comedy as well.

•Use of language shows relation between the men in the car and the police as well as between the two police officers-harsh and casual.

•Quick transitions between all different points of action shows how the situation changes rapidly.

Actual expressions of citizens is shown, shows effect chase has on people in the vicinity of this chase.