The opening scene of Jurassic Park establishes the film's sci-fi and horror genres. It shows guards unloading a raptor cage where the dinosaur almost escapes by grabbing a man. The powerful game warden Muldoon is shown facing off against the raptor in a shot reverse shot. Despite Muldoon's attempts, the raptor defeats him and kills the man. Camera angles are used to emphasize the imposing raptor and fearful guards. Sound effects of the machinery and dinosaur enhance the tension.
2. INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT
• The distributor (Universal Pictures) usual logo and animation are shown at the beginning
and the name of the second distributor follows (Amblin Entertainment).
• The name of the film (Jurassic Park) follows.
3. NARRATIVE
• The guards unload the cage containing a raptor and it almost escapes. In the process it
grabs a man and then has to be shot.
• It is chronological as to not confuse the audience.
• A single setting of Jurassic Park is established only briefly.
• No main characters are established in the opening.
4. REPRESENTATIONS
• Muldoon is presented as a powerful figure and a direct opponent to the raptor as a shot
reverse shot is used between their eyes. He is powerful yet is beaten by the raptor as it
devours the man he tries to save.
5. GENRE
• The film is sci-fi and mild horror.
• An element of sci-fi is that the dinosaurs are genetically artificial hybrids.
• The characters are killed off one by one and the protagonists are chased within an inch of
their life.
• The character of a mad scientist experimenting with hybrid dinosaurs.
6. USE OF CAMERA 1
• Close-ups, long shots, medium long shots, medium shots, and extreme close-ups are
used.
• Low angles are used on the dinosaur cage and Muldoon to emphasize their opposing
imposing characters. High angles are used on the guards themselves to show how weak
and fearful they are. They are also used on Muldoon as he stares into the eye of the
raptor.
7. USE OF CAMERA 3
• The first appearance of Muldoon has him framed almost left and his eye line is high up.
Together with a slow zoom and low angle, this shows how Muldoon has power over the
dinosaur and the rest of the guards. It also allows the audience to align with him
immediately.
8. SOUND
• Branches snapping as the cage comes closer.
• Machinery sounds as the cage is brought over to the pen.
• Dinosaur breathing/snorting sounds as well as roaring.
• Buzzes and squeaks of the cattle prods/tasers.
• There is non-diegetic music in the background foreshadowing the escape attempt by the
raptor.