The opening sequences of more contemporary films such as '28 Days Later' (2002)differ extremely from the more classical sequences such as that from, 'From Russia With Love' (1963). The sequences differ mainly because of the era they were produced in, as a film of 1963 is based on a completely different set of conventions to that of a contemporary film such as '28 Days Later'.
The two images above in themselves create a contrast in two films as they are filmed in contrasting lighting as '28 Days Later' has high key lighting to emphasise the facial expressions on the characters faces, this is compared to the low key lighting of 'From Russia With Love' which shows the way that the producers have explored two different sub-genres of thriller film. Furthermore the locations of the two are completely contrasting as well as '28 Days Later' uses the empty London streets to create tension in the opening sequence compared to 'From Russia With Love' as the director uses the grounds of the mansion to create an enigma as the audience is unsure as to what Bond and the antagonist are doing at this location.
The key prop of the money laying on the streets show the audience that there must have been chaotic scenes that have led up to this state. This is a direct comparison to the use of gunfire in 'From Russia With Love' as it builds up the danger and tension.
Also the difference in the characters appearance is directly distinct as Bond is characterised as looking traditionally suave from which the audience infers that the character is intelligent and sophisticated. This is the opposite for the character in '28 Days Later' who is dressed head to toe in anti-sceptic scrubs to add to the desperation of the sequence to find out as much as he can about the situation he finds himself in.
Also the sound of the two scenes is ambient as the muting of the action adds to the tension in the sequence before a score is layered over the end of the scene which adds to the suspense of the scene as well as increasing the tension of the opening. The thriller genre is also evident in the beginning of, 'From Russia With Love' as there are ambient sounds although the scene leads to the suspense.
From this the uses of continual long shots in the film, '28 Days Later' as well as the use of establishing shots give the audience a feeling of emptiness around which is normally a busy town. Although the use of medium shots in the film, 'From Russia With Love' add to the tension as they use these continuously to show the chase between the antagonist and what we believe to be the protagonist.
The narrative structure throughout restricts the audience to see as much as the character is seeing, which in itself leaves key enigmas such as; why is the hospital deserted? Why does the sequence start with the key protagonist in the hospital bed? Although the enigmas are also created throughout the opening sequence of, 'From Russia With Love' such as why is there a pursuit between the two men? Why is there an impersonator of Bond? And who are the the masked men?
The use of contrasting opening sequences show that the thriller genre has ben changed dramatically over the last 30-40 years from what was a technological step ahead of its time compared to what would now be seen as a contemporaray film setup. The use of red herrings and enigmas in the film 'From Russia With Love' add to the tension but the tension in the film, '28 Days Later' is setup by the use of enigmas as well as the use of long and wide shots which add more tension to the opening sequence that the director has ceated.
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