The Matrix Opening

Release: 1999
Directed: The Wachowski Brothers
Genre: Action/Sci-Fi
Studio: Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures
Box Office: $463, 517, 383
Critical Acclaim: Academy Award, British Academy Films Award, Saturn Award

Narrative:
From the beginning the film is made out to have a very sci-fi based narrative. The computer codes and the protected phone conversations on secure lines represent to the audience that the film may have a secret agent or spy story line. The woman that appears towards the end of the scene is likely to be a main character as the film had a long build up before we actually got to see her. She is being captured by policemen which gives the idea that she has done something wrong and may be involved in some secret spy work or something along those lines. This would tie in with the private phone calls and the decoding of encrypted information we were shown at the beginning of the film.

Camera Shots and Angles:

• Black screen with lots of green codes appearing and moving downwards quickly on the screen like they are being decoded. This gives connotations of the film narrative having something to do with the spy genre. These computer codes are stereotyped with films involving secret agents and undercover work. Codes like these are conventionally seen in spy films and films involving MI6. These codes allow the audience an insight into the films narrative.
• Zoom in on codes being decoded to emphasise both their importance and complexity. Their complexity allows the audience to have an insight into the narrative and the characters in the film because if the codes are very complicated then state of the art equipment would be needed to decode them which represents to the audience that the characters have jobs decoding files and are very good at what they do. 
• Zoom even further as title of film "The Matrix" appears in the same font as the codes were typed in. This font is used to tie in with the films genre and so that the audience can clearly see that the film will be something to do with advanced coding and technology. This is representative of the sci-fi genre.
• The codes on the screen blur into one and the screen starts tilting as files etc zoom past. This makes the audience feel like they are being transported through space via a computer and sets the mood of the film. It helps the audience feel very involved in the film.
• Close up shot of torch light and then mans face. The man looks sneaky and suspicious like he is searching for something or wanting to remain unseen. 
• Medium shot of policeman holding gun out and moving stealthily, this shot shows that he is on a mission or has some sort of scheme planned. This allows insight into the narrative. The idea that he is holding his gun out in front of him shows that there is a clear risk of danger. Danger is stereotypical of the action genre of film.
• Over the shoulder track shot of policeman. Over the shoulder shot is used to create tension as it signifies to the audience that something is behind the character and could jump out at any time. The track helps to give the view of the whole location and establish the story further.
• Medium shot of policeman kicking door down shows off his strength and represents to the audience that he is willing to use force if needed.
• Over the shoulder extreme long shot of criminal. Audience cannot see the characters face which therefore creates the element of mystery. Mystery can cause fear as the audience are unaware of what is going to happen and feel that danger is likely. Mystery also creates tension and surprise.
• Medium shot of criminal raising hands in surrender, she doesn't look scared she looks disappointed yet she looks like she still has unfinished plans. This immediately indicates to the audience that she may be a main character in the film. 

Sound:

• Non diegetic dramatic/edgy music creates a tense mood in the audience.
• As the title disappears off of the screen, each time an individual letter is deleted then a non diegetic beep sound occurs simultaneously. This beeping sounds like a computer button which helps enforce the narrative.
• As policeman moves closer to danger the non diegetic music becomes more eerie, it sounds creaky and uneasy like something bad is about the happen.
• Diegetic sound of door breaking. This sound is loud and exaggerated to show the force it took to knock it down and to exaggerate the strength of the policemen to make them seem more intimidating. 
• Sound effect of gun being loaded. This represents that the characters are preparing for something to happen, which causes anticipation and fear in the audience.

Mise en Scene:

• Policemen are dressed in police uniform. They are holding guns and their badges are shown clearly. This allows the audience to find out their profession which gives them a chance to interpret the narrative.
• The female character is dressed in all black. Black gives connotations of edginess and darkness which represents her to be an antagonist. Black is also a colour worn by many spies and secret agents because it is plain and they want to sneak around unseen. This could give hints that she is a secret agent or something similar to this. 

Typography:

• Warner Bros logo in green typography matching the green typography the computer codes are written in later in the scene. This allows the audience to interpret narrative even from the very first ident. 
• Warner Bros logo is on a background with a dark cloudy sky. This creates a scary effect and gives connotations of the action genre.
• The title of the matrix is has the same green font as the computer codes which represents that the narrative is certainly going to have something to do with online files and advanced technology.