The opening to Mission Impossible 3, JJ Abrams 2006

1. The Opening to
Mission Impossible 3
Emily Willmer

2. The Director and the Film
• JJ Abrams was born on the 27th June 1966, he is known for Super
8(2011) but more recently, Star Wars- The Force Awakens (2015). He
is known for his high tech and action packed movies and this trade
mark really shows throughout his movies.
• Mission Impossible came out on the 5th May 2006 and had an
estimated budget of $150,000,000 and made a total gross of $133,
382, 309.
• I think that the opening is very effective, it is obvious it will be an
action packed film due to the theme tune and it will you could also
say, a conventional thriller due to the actors acting oblivious to the
mission that’s about to occur. I did like thee opening as it prepares
you for the rest of the film and I thought this was really successful.

3. Mise-en-scene
• The Costume and Makeup is all very casual and normal, it contrasts the
title as no body is dressed like a super hero or how they expect.
• The lighting is quiet natural, and if anything dark because it is in a party
setting and it sets the atmosphere.
• The facial expressions and movement show the audience the love and
compassion within the couple.
• The setting is in a party, it’s atmospheric and we know from the narrative it
is for the couples engagement.
• All together, the Mise-en-scene in the opening scene of Mission Impossible
3 is very important because it allows the audience to know who the main
characters are, the relationships within the movie and makes the audience
question how the movie is going to develop into a thriller.

4. Camera Shots and Angles
• There is an extreme close up if the lips,
which is followed by a medium shot of
the man saying the answer to their
question. Although to far to hear what
they were saying, he still knew the
answer which leads the audience to
realise he’s lip read which further leads
us to question how and why he knows
the skills to do this.
• There’s also a lot of wo shots of the
couple, which helps the audience
know they are a couple and is also
foreshadowing that their to be the
main characters in the movie.

5. Editing
• At the start of the
opening, there is text
inserted telling us the
cast; it flashes quite
fast and this shows us
it will be a fast paced
and exciting movie.
• There are cut shots all
the way through, also
directing us to know it
will be fast paced.

6. Sound
• The theme tune comes on straight away, allowing the audience to straight
away know it is a sequel and part of the same family of movies.
• The speech that the sister gives, gives the audience the background
knowledge of the characters.
• All throughout there is chilled, party music which allows the audience to
feel relaxed it also sets a party setting.
• When the phone rings, there's an almost sinister voice at the end of the
phone leading the audience to question ‘who’s on the other end?’. It
creates suspense, and a quiet theme tune comes into the background
allowing the audience to get ready or the start of the movie and it creates a
lot of suspense.