Bruna Borges

Casino Royale Opening Sequence macro analysis

The opening sequence of Casino Royale gives the audience a series of clues about the narrative and
plot. The lighting and filter of the scenes is dark and low key which gives a sense of suspense and
mystery and sets the mood the genre of this film. From the very start the audience can expect a film
that is fast paced and exciting as the briefness of the shots and straight cuts convey such a style. The
opening sequence suggests the plot may be about an investigation or spy mission involving business
or government corruption, as the man leaving the taxi at the start looks over his shoulders as if he
has something to hide before making his way towards his unlit office. Also the man with whom Bond
fights in the flashbacks is described as a contact, perhaps a business contact. Finally, the titles
emphasise the theme of a casino so the audience knows that the whole plot will be related to or
include a crime or a corruption stunt within the casino.
The title graphics used in the opening sequence are appropriate for the film. The title sequence is
very long compared to most other films; it is very focused on the theme of card games and casinos
to link very closely with the title and plot of the film. This title sequence is animated with imagery of
playing cards and a silhouette of Bond amongst it. The animation is fast paced, bright, colourful and
with lively music, which juxtaposes the previous darker scenes in the office, this may have been
done deliberately to draw attention to the title sequence where the names of the directors and
producers are, information which is usually overlooked by the general public audience.
The main character, James Bond, is played by Daniel Craig. Craig is appropriate for the protagonist
role because, not only is he a skilful actor with enough experience for such a leading role, his
appearance is very fitting for the character; this is because Craigs facial expressions make him
appear serious and focused, a fearless and confident man, which is very similar to Bond. Also, Craig
has attractive features, especially for a male at his age, and protagonists are usually portrayed to
have appealing appearance so that the audience will like them more. Characterisation using mise en
scene in the opening sequence also accentuates the type of character Bond is. He is portrayed as
fearless and skilful in fights during the flashback scenes in the opening sequence. Bond is sitting on
an armchair looking fairly relaxed whilst flashbacks of him killing a man are interspersed in the
opening sequence, perhaps to convey that he is merciless or experienced as he has been doing this
job for such a long time he is used to it. His suit may also suggest that he is a professional at what he
does. Furthermore, guns and other male props assert Bonds masculinity and make him look like a
stronger character.
In regards to cinematography, a range of shots have been used to define the genre and characters.
There is a number of complex, elaborate shots at the start of the opening sequence which set the
pace and mood for the suspense later in the film. For example, the editors have chosen straight cuts
for the initial scenes; this kind of cut is very popular in thriller genres such as Casino Royale. Certain
shots types, such as low and high angle shots, are used during the flashback scenes of fighting; low
angle shots are used to film Bond making him look stronger and more powerful, whereas, high angle
shots were used for the other man to indicate he is the weaker one. Over the shoulder shots are
used when the two characters are talking in the office, this type of shot is commonly used to indicate
that a conversation is taking place. Close ups of the characters eyes and facial expressions show their
emotions during the scenes; when the man gets out of the car at the start of the opening sequence,
his expression suggests he is mindful of anyone that can see him and he looks a bit uncomfortable as
he rushes to the office. As for Bond, the close ups of his eyes and face show his feelings of anger and
distrust.
Bruna Borges
Sound and lighting play a big part in setting the mood and tone for the film and its genre. To begin
with, the opening sequence scenes before the title graphics are de-saturated so that there are no
colours and only black and whites tones. The dark effect it creates sets the mood of mystery and
suspense, which is certainly appropriate for the genre. The scenes where the flashback to the fight
happens are much louder than the ones where the characters are talking in the office; this could
have been to focus the audience on the fighting scene as well as on what the characters are saying.
It could also be a way to indicate Bond remembers the memory vividly. Also, the flashbacks of the
fighting scene are made to look blurry, perhaps to emphasise that this has happened and it is only a
memory or flashback. The sound effects are magnified to portray the action in greater detail, this is
most obvious just before the title graphics when Bond is seen shooting through the barrel of the
mans gun; the gunshot is amplified to make this simple action of shooting a gun more epic and
exciting.
A range of themes that link to the genre of thriller can be identified in the opening sequence of the
film. The theme of secrecy is the first to appear when the man gets out of the car and looks around
before rushing into his office, the audience knows he is running from something or trying to hide
something, this scene together with the method of editing and cinematography also highlight
themes of mystery and suspense. Money, authority and status is also a major theme, these themes
are portrayed through using an office setting and formal costumes, the fact that it is related to a
casino (a place which deals with huge amounts of money), as well as referring to the man as his
contact, a word often used in business jargon. Violence and espionage are two other themes which
are certainly shown in the opening sequence; violence is quite obviously present when he is fighting
the man in the male toilets and when he shots the man in the office. It can argued a sense of
espionage is present, not only because the audience might already know about Bonds background,
but because Bond says I know where you keep your gun to the man sitting in the office, which
shows he has spied on him or just came into his office well before. These themes are all relevant and
common to the genre of action-thriller.