The document analyzes the opening title sequence of the film "Captain America: Winter Soldier". It discusses four effective shots used: 1) A wide shot of Captain America holding his shield that introduces the main character. 2) A wide shot of badges that hints at the two sides in the film. 3) A shot of planes that forms the word "soldier" and associates it with war. 4) Different camera angles throughout that fit the thriller genre and engage the target audience of teenage males and up interested in superheroes and thrillers. Overall, the opening sequence provides context about the film without giving too much away and effectively draws in the intended audience.
1. Captain America: Winter Soldier.
Analysis-
In the film ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’, there are a
number of very effective shots that have been used within the
opening title sequence of the film. And in this essay, I will be
discussing the deeper meanings of how these shots have been
used and for what reason and effectiveness they have on this
opening title sequence.
Firstly, we see a wide shot of what is clearly to be the main
character (Captain America), and this has been used effectively
because of the use of placing this at the start of the sequence.
This shows the audience what he looks like in his ‘main’ position
(holding his shield). And the sound which is in this shot is quite
fast tempo and energising which you would normally associate
with thriller films.
Next, the use of a second wide shot of what looks to be the two
‘sides’ in the film with their badges is effective because it helps
to give the audience a further understanding of the film before
watching any further, but whilst not giving much away. What’s
also interesting about the Mis-En-Scene in this shot is that
2. there seems to be 2 versions of the same city outline, which
could give an indication about the setting or what’s at stake
within the film.
The next interesting shot within this opening sequence in the
medium close up of a plane type object which then the camera
tracks back and then cranes up on to form three individual
planes. This is effective because not only is it a rather clever
use of camera work and animation. But it also makes up the
second half of the film title, ‘soldier’. And with soldier, you
would associate various planes going into war etc. which is what
has been shown here.
Finally, I believe that the use of ‘CEMS’ throughout this opening
sequence have been very effective with engaging with the target
3. audience. Which from what I have gathered with the plot/genre
if the film would be for a more male dominated audience but
from the young teenager and over mark, who have an interest in
superheroes and thriller films. And this opening to the film has
it all in a sense; there is fast music, the main character, and
also lots of action going on during the opening. So I therefore
believe that the start to this film really fits the brief of the
target audience and also delivers on a number of different
aspects, giving it the end result of a very well made opening to a
thriller film.
But overall, the use of different camera angles all play into the
genre and film description. Ensuring the audience about what the
film has to have in store, and it sort of gives a back story to
film, so you are therefore not going into this film completely
clueless about what it includes. So this overall results in a well-
made opening sequence that really engages with the target
audience well.
Tom Franks.
