Analysis of the opening title sequence of Inception

We chose to watch and analyse the film Inception, inception is a film within the thriller genre and caught our attention within the opening sequence because of its interesting use of moving shapes and images creating the titles.



The first shot we see is a black screen with clear white writing showing the production company 'Warner bros. Pictures' straight away this gives the audience an insight of what the film may be like if they have seen previous films made by this production company and are familiar with it.


The obvious contrast between the background and the witting is effective as it allows the writing to stand out but it also useful because it means the text is clear and easy to read; suggestion the sentence given is significant, important, and also that they don't want you to miss it.

A puzzle type of effect if then created though out the next few scenes of the opening. Lines, curves and boxes are traced on to the screen which create a patterns which move throughout the rest of the credits. the credits continue in this way throughout, the puzzled effect creates a sense of conclusion, which is carried out in the opening sequence of the film.


The film starts with dramatic, tension building music which creates confusion for the viewers, it then immediately cuts to the protagonist lying face down on the shore of a beach but before hand having a strong establishing shots of the rough and noisy sea.


The first close up of the protagonists face is shown and is a low angle shot. In the distance there are small children playing in the sand, this creates confusion for the viewer as the two things don’t go together. The Protagonist then blacks out and the scene then continues to show a random unknown character finding him on the beach. The Protagonist is shown in dull, rough looking clothes in contrast to the high class soldier that greets. A low angle shot is evident to show to the viewers that the soldier has a high status.

The scene is then cut showing the protagonist being dragged into the room, this creates stress for the viewers as they still don’t actually know who or what the protagonist is trying to do or his aim. The location is also a mystery so this allows the viewers to ask questions and slowly feel further into the storyline. The low level non diegetic music is still being played while the close up of the protagonist eating, the character is hunched over the bowl as though he has not eaten for awhile, which builds more mystery. The room in which the protagonist and the new and another unknown character is released is dull but because of the low lighting with a large, grand table in the middle, this shows that who ever owns the house could be a higher class than the protagonist. There is then a close up of the spinning top which builds tension as the viewers waits for the moment in which it topples over, but never does so. 

The next scene takes place, and it shows the protagonist in another scene but the same location. He is with two new completely different characters, and all the characters in this scene are wearing smart suits all showing they are they same status. The protagonist then starts to talk, and the cuts and speed of the cuts grow faster. Over the shoulder and conversation shots are used effectively to make the viewers feel more comfortable which also makes it more natural to watch, a high angle shot is also used in this scene to show that the protagonist is more in control than any other character in the scene, the room then starts shaking which builds tension for the viewers and makes the two main characters look as though they are involved. There is then a close up of the protagonists ticking watch where time is slowed down, also creating tension the scene then changes dramatically again into a different location but with all the same characters as before. The Location is in a random hotel room/flat where another random character is released, there are diegetic sound effects used to create the bombing and shot gun noises, the music then becomes more dramatic as the unknown characters seek the main characters around the room. 

The first part of the film is very confusing and jumbled up which makes the viewer ask so many questions and are then immediately made to want to carry on watching the film and the Microelements are used to create this interesting and tension building confusion.