Inception Opening

00:11
Incidental music is introduced immediately whilst screening producers and institutes, giving an atmosphere of a dark, battle like tone from the horns – this sets the mood before the clip. It is interesting to not 00:11 particularly when SYNCOPY is screened. That the titles are black and white represents the antagonist and protagonist theme that is within thrillers and crimes, showing areas of grey can represent the phrase ‘there’s only black and white, and no shade of greys’ reflecting what people do; which is interesting when considered what inception is about.

The incidental music quickly subsides as it jumps into a shot of water, introducing powerful diagetic sound; which follows three separate shots until coming to a close up the main character face down in the water.

00:30

This shot is interesting as the previous ones have set out to create an establishment, it is clear that the character is lying down, that he is face down, suggests that he has been defeated in some way, or that things have been somehow bad. However, the connotations of water suggest powerful life which alone creates foreshadowing for thoughtout the rest of the film, but also to show that the character is still alive as the motion of the water is hitting him.

00:35 – 00:51

Between this time frame, the shot changes six times to jump shots, reverse shots between the first characters shown, the back of a young boy, the character and then the long shot of two young children with their back to the cameras. The reverse shots between the main character and the two young children suggest that there is some sort of link, however because the shot is slightly different and looks more enlightened, positive and appears slightly slow, the shot suggests that is not actually existent.

00:54

This is the first of a serious of angle shots in this opening sequence. Angled shots from low to high are used mainly to create the representation to reflect a particular characters power or motives even. This high angle shot represents the main character of course as being week, mostly venerable in this situation as there is a gun to his back, that the person welding the weapon is unknown to this point, it creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. The mise en scene however, clearly shows that he is wearing some sort of black jacket; black of course connotating authority and power, yet being covered in sand and looking gritty, now suggests he was once in power but has lost it – thus aiding the high angle shot.

00:56

The high angle shot quickly changes to a low angle one, which is captured by artificial lighting. This is important to note as it is clearly blocked by the head of what appears the antagonist wielding the power, and of course the shot creates the representation that he is currently the one with the power. Mise en scene again combines with the shot type, as the antagonist is wearing a mostly black uniform, the uniform itself instates the authoritive figure and the connotation of black further reinforces the power the character has – though it does not immediately suggest that main character is in any true danger, yet the anticipation, mystery and atmosphere is set to keep the audience immediately.

01:06

This shot is a suggestive establishing shot which pans to the right upper corner of the screen, showing a Chinese or Japanese origin building. It creates mystery as to where these characters are exactly as it is clearly a lone building. The blue sky behind also, suggests a calm and peacefulness of the situation still within this point, suggesting that the main character is not yet in life threatening danger. However, the shot is suggestive and it quickly jumps at 01:08 to come into a room.

01:08

The jump shot leading from the beach leads to a light room, the shot is not exactly positioned in a particular angle as it appears in eye line with the big chair directly in frame with centre shot focus, however, with the lights over head, it gives the illusion that the shot is slightly low angled; it still creates an establishment of the room. Immediately the audience can see two characters, both nearly engulfed in darkness; this connotates the authority of the two as they appear as something like guards near from the point of view shot doorway. The lights overhead, however, despite the room being quite dark in nature, suggests that the views of the antagonists may not be entirely bad, but yet have so protagonist ideals within them.

The rest of the clips jump much, and change, mise en scene particularly to confuse the audience, but also foreshadow away from this scene. It’s a huge controversial risk, even though it is intentional, it is of course breaking continuity; thus confusing the audience (meaning some will lose plot and interest whist others will be extremely intrigued).

03:21

This show now resembles the main character found on the beach as the strong and dominant one of the man in the chair. Again, the clip works with shots and mise en scene to create the combination that, this time, the main character is the one with authority and power. This is an interesting over shoulder shot as it is as well a low angle, thus representing the main character from the seated characters perspective the power – representing male authority also. His black tie suit is also black, thus presenting authority and power, yet a lot of white is dominant as well. The lights are used in the low angle again to represent the main character as not a dangerous authority figure but a protagonist one.

The lights is used again, much as in this scene at 03:53:

Inception examples mostly the use of shots, jump shots and mise en scene to establish the representation between the characters; though the lines also blur at times. It's ways are itneresting but difficult to ensure a similar response as it is risky.