4 Title Sequence Analysis

'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol' (2011) - Directed by Brad Bird:



In the title sequence for the 2011 movie 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol', the title sequence begins after a short opening sequence played at the beginning of the movie. The title sequence begins with one of the characters igniting the fuse/spark which runs along the wire, leading to an explosion. What is significant about this is that this is key iconography that represents and establishes precisely what this genre of the movie is about... Action. The title sequence is completely CGI'd with key scenes taken from the actual movie.

Throughout the majority of the title sequence, there are a variety of different settings established. Such as, under water, through sewer pipes, through to the city and then, the spark that is running along these settings comes back to where it was ignited in the beginning at the end of the title sequence. The main title of the movie appears at the beginning of the sequence, along with the cast members names displayed afterwards. In regards of the genre of the movie being established, there are explosions displayed and, fast car chases, which again alludes to the audience what the movie consists of.

The purpose of this title sequence is to put the viewer through the perspective of this spark running along the wire. Throughout this journey, you get to see the majority of the settings in which the movies events takes place in. Furthermore, the purpose of this title sequence is to inform the audience what the genre this movie is going to be about, which is essentially action.

'Napoleon Dynamite' (2004) - Directed by Jared Hess:




In the title sequence for 2004's 'Napoleon Dynamite', it is obvious straight away that this sequence is essentially low budgeted. This is because the props, objects and style of the title sequence looks very cheap yet, very creative - compared to the typical title sequences that are displayed in higher budgeted movies.

What is interesting and, arguably creative about this title sequence is that the casting and the typography used is shown through different pieces of food and, different objects. What these different pieces of foods and objects represents is that this movie is set within high school, alluding to the fact that the genre of this movie is a teen comedy. The soundtrack used throughout it very funky and, has an almost 70's vibe to it. The colour scheme is very bright and saturated, keeping the title sequence engaging for the audience.

The purpose of this title sequence is to show the audience its creativity and quirkiness through the funky choice of music and, the way the typography is written on the objects and food. Although this title sequence hardly gives anything away about the plot of this movie, it is still clear enough to the audience that the genre in which this movie is set in is teen comedy/drama.  

'Children of Men' (2006) - Directed by Alfonso Cuaron:



In the title sequence for 2006's 'Children of Men', it is tangent that compared to higher budgeted movies title sequences, this one is lower budgeted. You can tell that the movie is about a dystopian city due to the news paper reports dates.

The movie is set as a drama and, a sci-fi movie - which is a subgenre. The news paper articles declares how infertility rates decrease, which is a significant point because these newspaper reports allows the audience to have an insight in to the plot of the movie and, provides a bit of background knowledge into this movies already established world. Scenes of anarchy is displayed towards the end of sequence. Interestingly, it could be argued that throughout the title sequence, it is from the view points of different montages from the rich side of the world/city, to the poor side of the society. This is most evident when at the beginning of the sequence, we see state of the art technology being used, whereas towards the end of the sequence, we see poverty and run down environments. The soundtrack used begins to pick up speed and become fast paced, with the typography of the casting being bold and gritty. It is interesting to note that when the main title of the movie appears at the end of the trailer, the writing is put together in the colours of white and red. This is interesting as the colour white carries the connotations of purity and good, whereas the colour of red connotes violence, evil and savagery - which these are the issues that are focused upon throughout the title sequence.

The purpose of this title sequence is to provide the audience with the essential backstory of the movie. The reasoning for this is so that the audience are not left confused when the movie jumps straight in to the plot and the action.

'Django Unchained' (2012) - Directed by Quinten Tarrentino:




In the title sequence for 2012's 'Django Unchained', it is clear that the genre for this movie is essentially western. The entire title sequence is made completely out of CGI and, features the cast members and of course the main title of the movie. The title sequence takes place through an old barn.

The iconography used throughout the title sequence is vital within this sequence due to the fact that this is the key indication as to the genre of the movie. For example, there are old fashioned carriages displayed, with barn houses and, classic + western guns shown. What is interesting to note is that we are shown an actual chain towards the end of the sequence which is a smart reference to the title of the movie due to it being called 'Unchained'. We then see the chain being broken at the end, again referencing the title. What also establishes this western genre is that the soundtrack on top of the sequence is very old school, funky and groovy - relating to the time period set within the movie.