Sci-fi Opening Sequence

Alita-Battle Angel(2019)

From the opening title, the subtitles present the time background of the story(2563) and the setting. The first scene establishes the genre and setting as the establishing shot represents the city in the sky, dystopian, high-tech structure buildings and therefore established a futuristic setting which is a connotation of sci-fi. Which are not usually exist in the modern world or the past. Generally speaking, teenagers and young adult(~under 40) are more likely to be interested in this genre of films. Also, there are shots, angles and cameras to illustrate that the broken tube used to connect to the lower city, and this is one of the main clues in the storyline. For example, the point of view angle works as a transition role that guides the audience from the upper class to the lower. Which is the connotation of the story of the lead character Alita. Compare to the advanced city in the sky, the shots in the 'garbage' of the lower city is completely different. In this scene, the man was collecting eyes through continuity editing, this is a welcoming way to show where the character is, what he is doing and his charateristic (could be job etc). Besides, he uses a special device to scan their bodies, which is a connotation of the film. Then the man looks at the girl and said “You’re alive?”  and then he picks up her body carefully establishes their relationship.

The genre setting is base on the filter of the film, the general colour of the scene is yellow and the light is dim and the environment is in darkness.  Twilight shows a new beginning and saturated yellow is tend to be warm.

Background sound act as an important role in the opening sequence. The use of Bass instrument created a heavy atmosphere. The digestive sound(metals falling and crush together, the sound of the special scanner) emphasis the messy environment and high-tech devices to represent the genre of the film.

Generally, this is a successful opening. I quite like the scene that the man holds Alita's head in the twilight, it's effective to draw out the story.