Task 2.1 Mission Impossible II - Textual Analysis - Thriller

Mission Impossible 2's story is Ethan Hunt has been sent on a mission to retrieve and destroy the supply of a genetically created disease called 'Chimera'.  He also has competition from a gang of international terrorists. They managed to steal the cure called 'Bellerophon' and now need 'Chimera' to complete their grand plan of infecting the whole world. He relies on the help of an international thief Nyah of whom he quickly develops a love interest. Time is not only running out for Agent Hunt to find and destroy 'Chimera' before the terrorists get their hands on it, but he must also find 'Bellerophon' so as to save his love interest who has already become infected by the disease from a terrible and rapid death. It has many of the normal thriller conventions in just the three minutes of the opening scene - quick cuts, tension music, diegetic sounds of heavy breathing to show extension or fear, a lot of montage shots and over dramatic scenes. The opening relies heavy on the mystery of why the character is in the desert, climbing alone.
The desert can also show two things - either can show the character being alone,showing loneliness or isolation,but it can also show the character is peaceful or relaxed as if he has got away from what was bothering him. He is climbing without a harness or even a backpack showing he is fearless - this is reinforced by him leaning backward. They show the next part of the scene in slow motion as he jumps from rock to rock as this gives the viewer an 'will he make it?' scare. As he swings into this position -

It replicates the scene of Jesus on the cross - perhaps showing that there is evil/bad things to come and showing he isn't aware of this yet. As he gets his orders he almost looks disappointed and resentful - like his holiday is over and he doesn't want to go to work. The Title begins with colours of red,orange and white -

making the viewer think of fire and explosions - what a thriller usually has. The editing of the scenes have been quickly cut away to show tension. As he is the only one in the shot he is percieved to be the protagonist.

The music in the scene is very different to what is happening - they are also a combination of diegetic and non diegetic sounds. The music starts off quiet,it then begins a fast paced Spanish song to help the viewer understand where the character is and to possible give some background. You can also hear the character make noises of exertion he climbs. This ties in with other ambient sounds like the wind and the sound of the rock scraping.The music stops as the helicopter appears to make the audience think something bad is going to happen,this also creates excitement for the audience.

The title then begins with a theme tunes - the same one that appears in the other Mission Impossible films.The opening for MI2 there were establishing shots showing the setting of the desert and giving away key things about the character before we even see him.

They then show an aerial shot and zoom into the character to help also show the character. Most of the camera shots are either long shots or mid shots of him climbing before a close up on his face - showing his feelings towards his surroundings and to create tension. The slow motion used is to create tension and to give the impression he won't make it

It keeps audience on the edge of their seats - its a typical thing thrillers do. The editing also reflects that - they use a lot of cut edits to make it fast paced and exciting for the audience.

The titles begin within a few seconds - they start in the bottom left and they're coloured in orange to draw attention to them. Then,as the camera shot changes they change the titles to the other side to make sure your attention is on the character. They then switch is back to the bottom left - they keep in line with the camera shots to make sure that they dont get in the way of the character.

His costume and makeup tell us a lot about his character. His laid back clothing style show that he does things in his own time and style - it is also shows that he is not afraid to get dirty.

The lighting and setting in this scene relate to each other - they don't change and stay the same. The spotlight is on him because the lightening shows he is clearly the only one in the scene.