Watchmen scene anal

Watchmen- Scene analysis

Watchmen is a hybrid genre movie set in an alternate universe, that is based on the 1986-87 DC comic’s graphic novel called Watchmen, written by Alan Moore. This film incorporates elements of action, science fiction and drama though its uses of genre conventions in the movie. It was directed by director Zach Snyder and released in 2009; it was produced by DC Comics and also legendary pictures and was made using a budget of 120 million USD. The featured themes are nostalgia, teamwork and friendship because the characters are reminiscent of how the team used to be before they split up and the movie focuses on the lives some of the characters of the new watchmen currently live as individuals. This essay will be discussing the opening scene sequence of Watchmen and its use of mise-en scene and cinematography to convey meaning. The opening scene/title sequence is a slide show of shots that are exposition of the minute men’s contribution to alternate America and span between the timeline of 1940 to 1970’s. The chosen song used in this scene is Bob Dylan’s “The times they are a changing” realised in 1965, adds to the authenticity of the cultural and historical setting of the images and shots the opening scene uses.

The cinematography towards the start of the opening scene effectively shows the superhero’s in their glory days. It does this through its use of low angle shots to methodically show that the characters where lorded and adored by the public. One example of this is a shot of Silk Spectre in the shot where she clinches the newspaper standing in front of policemen. The use of low angle shot of her positioned in the centre displays the character as important and powerful.

In particular, the low angle shot of Silk Spectre, as well as the sound of a camera flashing, conveys how she was considered a celebrity more so to show the audience the status and respect she received. The low angle shot of her is used as symbolism of her being placed on a pedestal and is positioned in a way so the audience can look up at her and see we are below her mirroring the way society in the setting of the alternate universe saw superheroes as above them.

The mise-en scene works well the with the cinematography to establish the situation and setting. The use of technical and visual codes to show us as the audience in the first four shots of the opening title sequence that it’s centred around superheroes, due to the use of costume and they are adored and respected like celebrities though the silhouettes of paparazzi taking pictures and camera’s. For example, the shot of the superhero The Comedian holding a bank robber shows the audience that that he’s a superhero as he’s wearing a mask and colourful clothing and holding a guy with a swag filled with money. The shape of the camera shows the audience that these where old style camera which conveys the shots from the title sequence are set during the past.

Furthermore, in that particular shot of the comedian smiling at the camera and while holding the hostile bank robber, his facial expression conveys that the character is prioritized fame. The action of smiling at the camera while holding the robber shows he’s concerned about his image to the press or for his audience.