I am Legend Opening Analysis

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EgxgofbO0NA

*Silent at the beginning except rainforest sound/birds/wildlife
*Wide shots of empty city =slow and still shots of buildings, landscape
*Sky view/ aeroplane view =city looks small and empty
*Abandoned cars
*Shot of gun when introducing lead character
*His view looking out of the window
*Sound of car breaking through the silence
*Dog is like a person =head out of window, Smith asks him what he can see
*Shot of deer (jumps over car) =fast, can't quite see what it is at first
*Unstill camera shots =movement, realistic
*Gun out of window =hunter
*Car looks like a preditor/animal in the wild
*Can't get through because of lots of queued cars =quick attempt to escape? Where is everyone? Why have the cars stopped like that?
*Will Smith looks emotional/sad =because the deer got away or sad memories??


In the opening of the film 'I am Legend' it begins with a slow sweep around a deserted New York. It then introduces Will Smith as the leading character when he breaks into the scene in a car, armed and sitting next to his dog. In the opening Will SMith is hunting deer. This is strange because you wouldnt see wild animals roaming the streets of New York! The opening ends when the deer escape down a road blocked with vehicles. The atmosphere, location and style of the opening shows that the film is going to be a horror. Will Smith is the only 'human' character in the opening which is important because you know/see that he maybe the only human left. The dog in the scene is portrayed as a friend to Will Smith, almost like a person.

At the begining of this opening there is silence apart from a strange sound of wild life. I think this is very effective because it quickly arises questions and makes the viewer feel uneasy because its not normal and you want to know whats going on. The silence is broken with the sound of a fast car. This is very effective because it shows how empty and silent New York is and it makes you more aware of the car. When the deer begin running one jumps over the car and there is a quick loud squeal which starts the chase as the sound of the engine gets louder.

The camera work fits in really well with the mood of the opening. The shots are wide and slow showing the abandoned cars and buildings. It creates more tension and empthasises the fact that the city is diserted. There is a over head shot of the buildings which makes you realise how small the buildings are from above and that everywhere is empty so theres no help. The camera work works really well with the eeire sound of the wild life, it makes you wonder what has happened or is going on. I really like the still shots of the car and the deer approaching and passing by, this makes it more exciting and shows how fast they are going. This also makes the car look like a real preditor in the wild, and shots of Will Smith aiming his gun out of the window makes him look like a hunter. At the end of the opening the car swerves to a hult at a queue of cars. There is then a point of view shot as the deer escape. This shows emotion on Smith's face, is it sadness?
Is he annoyed because the deer get away or do the abandoned cars bring back memories? The shots are also shakey as if hand held which makes it more realistic.

When introducing the main character in the car, you first see his gun this shows he needs protection or is a hunter. He is wearing casual and action clothing which shows he is constanly on the move. The fast movement of the deer makes you unsure at first of what they are which makes you want to watch more.