22 jump street opening essay

1. Analysis of a Film Opening.
The film opening I decided to analyseis 22 Jump Street. This is the sequel to
21 Jump Street. I chosethis movie because I like the actors involved for
example Jonah Hill, also because I saw the prequel and was a fan.
The movie starts with a look back at 21 Jump Street and includes the main
highlights of what happened throughoutin a montage, they used a montage to
show all these highlights as it is a quick and efficient way to reminisce on the
story of the older movie. This is also to make surethe audience remember the
story and plot in order for this movie to make moresense. After the montage
finishes the logo for the movie appears, 22 JUMP STREET in red and blue, this
symbolises police sirens which makes senseas they are undercover police
officers in both movies. Whilst the title is spinning there are also blue and red
flashes in the background, again connoting police sirens to the audience. The
title then spins around and the official movie begins. It is first set in a college
lecture however a graphic match reveals that actually it is footage being
watched by the two main characters.
A panning shot is then used high in the sky, this reveals the location where
the movie is set by panning around and showing off the city behind them. The
lighting is all natural and is an orangey colour, this shows that the sun is rising
and it is early in the morning. The intense music is used to signify that
something big is about to happen, we then see the characters gearing up with
heavy weaponry such as pistols and machine guns. These are genre signifiers
as now that the audience has seen police sirens and guns they can tell that it is
going to be an intense action film. The characters are then fooling around with
the weaponry, a quick and snappy montageis used here to show all of the
different stupid things they do whilstin possession of guns. This is another
genre signifier and shows that it is an action comedy film. Whilst they are
messing around with all the guns doing different tricks there is the continuous
loud and intimidating music in the background. This puts emphasis on both the
action and comedy as it is both loud but also a bit condescending towards the
characters as they are actually supposed to be police officers. Instead of being
strict, strong and supportivemembers of the authority they are dancing and

2. prancing about with guns in their possessions. This showstheaudience that
they are not the best at their job and will have struggles throughoutthe movie,
again bringing out the humour in the scenario.
Another panning shotof a new location is used followed by a tracking shotof
the characters in a car. The new high panning shot was used to show that the
story is in a new location, this means the audience won’tbe confused about
the wholechange of scenery. As soon as they see the main antagonist and
begin talking about him the music goes fromparty fun music to intense slow
music. This is to build tension on the character and emphasisehow bad he is
going to be throughoutthe film. The characters using a slightly hushed tone
mixed with the intense music in the background areeffective as it makes the
audience feel as if they are in the car with the characters. Whilstin the car the
genre of comedy is once again shown as the two main characters are
extremely contrasting personas. Onewants to create a new identity whilst
talking to the antagonistwhereas the other is arguing about being awfulat
improvisation. This shows the immaturity of the two characters and contrasts
with their jobs which is supposed to be taken really sensibly. This whole
argument however creates for a really comedic scene as the two characters
are arguing in the middle of a really intense moment. Mexican music is then
played in the background as the camera pans around Jonah Hill in a new
costume and identity. His new walk mixed with Channing Tatum’s facial
expression shows theaudience that this is going to be a funny scene even
though it’s supposed to be serious.
Oncethe antagonistis back in shotthe intense music begins again, this
shows theaudience that he is not to be messed with and will probably feature
again later in the film. When one of the bad guys says “why isn’thetalking?”
and points to Channing the music goes away and there is no sound in the
background. This creates an enigma code and makes the audience wonder
what he is going to say that is so important. Once they are ready for an intense
line he comes out with the most ridiculous voice the audience could imagine.
This creates an extremely hilarious moment whereone of the main characters
is clearly under pressureand out of his comfortzone, wherethe other is
convincing the bad guys. The antagonist comes back with a knife, when he
pulls it out there is a big drop in the music, this is non diegetic and is used to

3. put emphasis on the knife being pulled out. Whilst they are slowly opening the
box there is intense music building in the background, this creates tension and
is an enigma code for the audience as they are wondering whatis inside. The
music stops then once the octopus jumps out the music at the same time
jumps which makes for a little jump scarefor the audience.
Oncethe antagonistblows up their car Channing goes insane, he says “we
shared so much in that car” which references back to the older movie. He then
shows heis the physicalone and gets on top of the car, Jonah has to climb
around showing he is the less physicalone and will probably be carried
throughoutthe movie. Whilst this is happening there is heroic music in the
background, this tells the audience that the protagonists aregoing to take
down the antagonist. Oncethey are both stood up on the car there is a POV
shotfrom the eyes of Jonah hitting into a steel pipe, they both get tied up in
mid-air and the antagonist goes away along with the intense music. This makes
the audiences emotions go fromon the edge of their seat to laughing on the
floor. Once again showing that the movie is going to consistof action and
comedy scenes.
Harry Tuvey