Defy opening review

This film starts with a map with images playing in the spaces of the countries. This is a highly effective technique as it connotes that something is not right on a global scale; the use of the news makes it sound official and genuine, as if something really has happened to the world we know.

The lines across the screen could be suggestive of someone or something's movements or could be like lines in an investigation, linking clues and events to try and solve what is going on. The constant presence of the American flag in the top left corner gives the feeling of power that is being threatened and shows the significance of the issue in the film.

The font is sans-serif and white, it is simple and effective and reflects the importance of technology in the film.

The shot then moves to a blank screen with the definition of defy which sets the theme of rebellion for the audience and implies that we are the rebels and our enemy is some higher power. All this build up means that when the first scene comes on the audience already has a pretty well established idea of the plot and doesn't feel totally lost.

The first shot is  close-up of the back of a computer, this, again, signifies the importance of technology and the fact that it fills up the screen foreshadows how it is taking over the world.

The shot then pans across the room quite shakily which suggests that something is not right and he's doing this work under the radar, hiding from something. It is a mid-shot but we don't get to see much of the main character as he is behind a desk and wearing a hoodie, this shows again that he is not meant to be there and that he wants to keep his identity hidden.

We then get an over-the-shoulder shot showing the computer he's working on and the papers on his desk. This symbolises that we are on his side and shows the audience what he is working on. The computer screen has the overriding colours black and red which have connotations of danger and fear, implying that he is doing something he isn't supposed to and adds to the dangerous feel of the scene.

We then get one long mid-shot of him working so the audience can clearly see him and what's going on in the shot. We can see some kind of symbol on the wall behind him which connotes his involvement in an organisation as it matches the symbol on the back of his computer. This shows good continuity and sets up a clear 'us and them' feel which we presume the film would continue.

The character is sat centre screen possibly suggesting that he is a vital part of an organisation or that he is totally isolated and alone in his fight. This is a narrative enigma which engages the audience and leaves them wanting answers.

We then get a montage of shots of him running from different angles which suggests he's being watched or is running away from someone. This adds to the feeling of defiance and puts the audience on edge with the changing shot angles.
When he comes through the door he approaches the camera but is slightly off centre, again implying that something is not as it should be. He is silhouetted against the light in the door and this also puts the audience on edge as we cannot see his face which people like to do as it is where we read emotions. This also adds to the fact that he is hiding and wants to keep his identity a secret from everyone, even the audience.
Through nearly all the shots in the building he is silhouetted exaggerating his anonymity. This could also connote that his character isn't important in this opening sequence but that he's symbolising a whole underground rebellion that is going to come to light in the film.
We then get a significantly tilted shot that's almost on a 90 degree angle. This could tell us that he's being watched by someone or something hidden or that something is going on that shouldn't be. Overall it adds to the hectic feel created in the scene and puts the audience further on edge.

All the shots in this scene are taken from inside the room, again connoting that we are in the danger with him and on his side.
Finally the character goes and stands in a long shot with his back to us, emphasising how he doesn't want to be seen and once again putting the audience on edge as we cant see his face. He is stood alone in the long shot with very little around him which could connote how much he's lost due to the technology or could show how vulnerable he is in defying the new society.
He is slightly off centre which adds to the idea that something has gone wrong with his plan and the darkness in the room makes the audience feel nervous about what could be hiding in the shadows.

The scene starts off with sound clips from news stories which all link to some kind of disasters. This makes the viewer nervous as it makes the issue raised in the film more like real life. It starts off simply with president Obama speaking then we get the non-diegetic sound from the news programmes layered in which starts to subconsciously build tensions as the volume of the sounds rise. This continues as more news themes are layered up to create a feeling of chaos that is reflected in the words of the news readers. After that, when we get the definition of defiance, non-diegetic sound is layered on top of it all, building tension even further and starting to move us away from the news stories and more into the story of the film. Finally, on top of it all we get the voiceover coming in but shortly afterwards the news sounds fade out, completely immersing us in the opening scene of the film. The voiceover gives us a backstory to the plot, how the world came to be the way it is which gives the audience context to what they are watching ad helps them to understand what is going on. We also have the diegetic sound of the keyboard in the background, again highlighting the significance of technology in the plot.
When he starts running the soundtrack changes significantly to very upbeat and almost aggressive music. This increases the pace of the scene to match the action onscreen and engages the audience in the action.

Overall I thought this was the best film because of the very clever use of sound (especially at the beginning) and the additional effects used at the start which gave it a very professional feel.