(4) Quantum of Solace - Thriller Analysis

                           James Bond – Quantum of Solace

2008 starring Daniel Craig

Directed by Martin Campbell

Before we see any of the film, we can hear the tense music building up, straight away we know this is not going to be a calm opening scene, and that things are going to happen. The use of non diegetic sound is used to create a tense and suspense mood from the outset. A gradual forward track over the sea with an establishing shot above water shows how big these hills are and how remote the area is. A cut transition shows darkness with diegetic sounds of a car driving at high speed, a sudden light shines on the car moving and then go within a se-

cond. A cut transition goes back to the hills but this time is a medium shot still tracking forward, showing the viewer there is movement and we are focusing on the car and believing that the car is on these hills somewhere.

It then cuts back into some shots of the car, still in the dark only showing things that shine bright in the dark.  String of bullets with some diegetic sounds of the bullets clashing together.  This is showing to the reader that these cars, items are expensive and these people are somewhat dangerous and professional.  Again, another cut coming back to the view of the hills is now a medium close up, tracking in on a tunnel on the side of the hills. And once again cuts to 3 shots very quickly of the car and this time a view of a man’s eyes, a glimpse of his eyes. They are focused. This is showing the viewer that this man or these men have a job to do.  We then reach a closer shot, perhaps a close up from what was once an established shot to the tunnel and the non dietetic music is dramatic and high volume. It then cuts to the car being in the dark. The low key lighting is a convention of thriller, and is normally followed up by a burst of light. This creates tension as the reader cant really see much, which creates suspense. The diegetic sounds of the gear stick forcefully being put into gear and we see a fast clip of this.Before the car sounds roar and the car comes out into the light, and drive fast paced past the other cars. This car is a nice looking sports car which shows the person has money and is powerful. Driving past the ordinary cars shows that he has a mission and somewhere to be fast, and he wants to get down to the point. A close up of the mirror on his car is showing reflection of a car chasing him, at this point we realise there is a car chase. All the clip transitions are cuts to show it’s a fast paced chase. Gun fire is then shown with a man firing an automatic out of the chasing car. For the next 3-5 seconds clips are cut back and forward to each car. Fast cuts are a convention of thriller because it shows the viewer the pace and how much action is being displayed in the film. Shot reverse shot. To ensure the reader knows these two cars are 100% involved. 

 During these fast paced scenes we see an over the shoulder shot to show the point of view from all participants in this scene. We get a shot of the chasers so now the viewers have both points of views we have a neutral bases position.  As well as noises of crashing, smashing of glass and tyres screeching, we see cars crashing, shooting; bullets penetrating windows and these next few seconds consist of these fast paced cuts showing different aspects of the chase. This is an effective opening because is builds suspense and has a few conventions to give an idea of what the theme and overall mood of the film is. They use loud sounds, contrast between dark and light. The dark and light contrast is to show and underground secrecy mood. To show the light is normal, and what is happening in the dark is bad and illegal. This opening shows the genre and creates suspense.