I showed four people three different movie openings and got their opinions on different aspects of the openings.
The three openings I chose were 'Trainspotting', 'Spiderman' and 'Shaun of the Dead'.
Here's how it went down:
Do you know what the genre of these movies are and is it clear how its shown?
Joe (Taphouse): Yeah. Trainspotting is some kind of drug type movie, Spiderman is clearly a superhero movie and Shaun of the Dead is a comedy.
Me: But how do you know that?
Joe: Well you see the matey from Trainspotting taking drugs and you kind of get the vibe from it. Spiderman…well yeah just look at the name. And Shaun of the Dead you can tell with the script work.
Adam (Westbury): Initially Trainspotting looks like a coming of age drama but as Joseph pointed out the inclusion of drugs give the impression it’s a drug based movie. Without knowing what Spiderman is you see the opening and think it is a teen/high school drama and-
Joe: But its about a man who has spider powers.
Adam: Yes but you don’t know that in the first ten minutes. And finally Shaun of the Dead seems to be a romantic comedy with Shaun’s relationships the most important thing.
Jon (Mahon-Daly): Right... So I got nothing to say.
Me: Go on, just briefly?
Jon: Basically what West (Adam) said is right about Trainspotting except I feel it’s got more of a thriller feel to it what with the running and pumping music. But still generally crime based. Um Spiderman does seem a highschool drama because of Peter Parkers voiceover and the school bus but it’s Spiderman man! Shaun of the Dead is funny!
Ryan (‘Bacon’ Butler): Yep. Yep. And yep.
Me: That’s damn helpful there Buttee.
Does the opening of the film show what age rating this movie is (for each movie)?
Joe: Trainspotting does with the drugs so you immediately think 18. Spiderman seems like a PG actually. What is it?
Me: I think it’s the first film to be given 12A.
Joe: 12A is stupid man. Anyway. Shaun of the Dead looks like a 12. Apart from Ed saying cu-
Me: Thank you Joseph.
Adam: Well there are many reasons why Trainspotting is an 18. The drugs initially, the language, the criminal intent shown and well it’s just gritty isn’t it. Spiderman does look like a 12 because of the bullying aspect; you wouldn’t put that in a PG Joe. And Shaun of the Dead I’d say 15.
All: Why?
Adam: Because the slight use of language and you imagine the script being so slick and well written that it would be too much for any youth.
Jon: Dude you need to let me start answering before people I got nothing to say (laughs). Yes on Trainspotting. Spiderman is a bit confusing as to what age rating it is. Shaun of the Dead looks a 12… but I know it’s a 15 sooo.
Ryan: I agree with all.
Me: Man you may as well not be here!
Were the graphics for the opening credits appropriate in the following movies?
Jon: What the hell does that mean?
Me: Like the text and any slow motion or whatever.
Jon: Oh. Trainspotting is the best for that with the names and editing techniques: very nicely done. There are none in Spiderman and Shaun of the Dead? Well apart from the actual “SHAUN OF THE DEAD” not really no.
Ryan: Not much else you can say to that.
What was your favourite opening?
Jon: Um. Trainspotting definitely makes you want to watch it. I’d go with Trainspotting.
Ryan: I’d say Shaun of the Dead. Fo sho.
Me: Jesus Christ Ryan…
Joe: It’s Spiderman for me.
Adam: What?
Joe: Spiderman! It’s genius. He can shoot web.
Adam: But it’s not abo-
Joe: Web Adam! And sticks to walls!
Adam: Well I’d say Trainspotting.
Why was it better?
Jon: Trainspotting because it’s just flawless. The whole voiceover with the chase and then the flashbacks are clever. It was funny, informative and enjoyable.
Ryan: I’d say Shaun because it’s funny; I like funny films.
Me: Anything else?
Ryan: It’s better than the other two.
Me: Right… Joe?
Joe: Spiderman because the camera panning and all that is good. The voiceover is like and better than Trainspotting and I think it gets all the pointless information out of the way so the story can progress.
Adam: Trainspotting is just brilliant. The chase, the voiceover, the flashbacks and all of it!
Jon: Just basically what I said then.
Do you think the characters were introduced well?
Ryan: All three films really introduce the characters well. In Trainspotting you obviously have the explanations along with the text to show the characters name along with who he is. This is helpful and very slickly done. Spiderman has Peter Parker’s voiceover, which, as Joe mentioned, gets all of the information to the viewers straight away. Explains him, his situation and his relationship with the other main character. And finally with Shaun of the Dead through the script and the conversations between all the characters we learn names, situations and personalities; probably the best at introducing characters just because it does it so coolly and cleverly. Plus, it’s funny.
Me: (silence) Well I’ll be damned.
What did the opening of the film do to make you want to keep on watching the rest of the film?
Joe: With Trainspotting you want to find out what happens to this guy and that’s done by the in depth explanation of the story and introduction of the characters. With Spiderman it’s more the knowledge of Spiderman from the comics that makes you want to watch on, although the opening is interesting and does kind of make you want to watch on. Shaun of the Dead immediately grips you and makes you laugh and feel good which is the intention of the film.
Jon: More or less agree with Joe there. Trainspotting provides such an irresistible character that, along with the enthralling opening, makes you want to know what happens with this guy. Spiderman has the same thing, with the characters introduced and the situation realised you want to know what develops from that. And more or less exactly the same with Shaun of the Dead, except you get humour included in that also, which makes it go down even better.
Adam: Trainspotting draws you in, Spiderman the same although not as well and Shaun of the Dead is all aces when it comes to it. I agree completely.
Ryan: Yep. Yep. And Yep.
Me: Cheers boys.
