Monday, February 3, 2025

Crime Film Openings

After researching two potential genres for my film opening, I found myself the right one. Although I love the rom-com atmosphere, I chose that the crime genre would be the one illustrated in my Camebridge Final Project. To better understand the genre, I'll be exploring the openings of three crime films.


Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes is a crime-mystery film about Sherlock Holmes younger sister, Enola. When her mother disappears, Enola escapes her brothers control to find her. Along the way, she helps a runaway lord and uncovers a dangerous plot. Smart and brave, she proves she can solve mysteries just like her famous brother.

The opening scene of Enola Holmes introduces us to Enola and her world. She speaks directly to the audience, making us feel connected to her right away. Through her words and actions, we learn that she's smart, independent, and different from other girls in her time. The scene also highlights her close bond with her mother, who taught her to think for herself and be strong. However, The use of past tense hints that something is wrong. This foreshadowing, paired with her independence and curiosity, sets the stage for the larger mystery of her mother's disappearance.This creates mystery and makes us want to keep watching. The scene helps us understand Enola’s personality and background before the story begins.



link to opening scene: https://youtu.be/MLYqCFLXkNQ





The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring is a crime drama based on true events. It follows a group of teenagers in Los Angeles who break into celebrity homes to steal expensive clothes, jewelry, and money. At first, they enjoy the thrill and fame, but their crimes soon catch up with them. The film shows how they become obsessed with fame, social media, and expensive things. Their love for a glamorous life eventually leads to their downfall.

The opening scene of The Bling Ring immediately throws us into the action. We see the group sneaking into a celebrity’s home at night, moving quickly and quietly. The dark lighting and handheld camera make it feel real, almost like we’re part of the crime. There’s no talking, just their movements and whispers, which builds tension and emphasizes the thrill of the crime. After the break-in, the teens post pictures on Facebook, showing off stolen items like designer bags and jewelry. We also see the real celebrities they robbed, like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. This shows their obsession with fame and attention, setting the tone for the film. It’s clear they enjoy the thrill, but we sense it won’t end well.




link to opening scene: https://youtu.be/eelseaF0ib0





Murder Mystery 2

Murder Mystery 2 is a comedy-crime-mystery film about Nick and Audrey Spitz. They start their own detective agency but get into trouble when their friend gets kidnapped at his wedding. The couple travels around the world to find him, facing funny and tricky situations along the way. They meet many suspects and uncover big secrets while trying to solve the crime. The film mixes humor, action, and mystery as they try to save their friend.

The opening uses a voiceover to quickly recap the first movie and explain how Nick and Audrey became private detectives, establishing background. The clips from the first film connect the two movies and remind us of their accidental success. The flashbacks, blending humor with action, offer a playful take on the crime genre. Their failed investigation into a cheating husband shows their mistakes and adds humor, with their confident attitude compared to their wrong conclusions. The upbeat music keeps the tone light, infering that this film will balance crime-solving with comedy. This mix makes the opening fresh and engaging, and it signals that the film will offer a fun twist on the genre’s typical conventions.



link to opening scene: https://youtu.be/R6WEYl2BVDk




In conclusion, these three film openings each bring something unique to the crime genre. Enola Holmes focuses mainly on character development, drawing us into Enola’s world and setting up the story. The Bling Ring creates tension right away, showing the danger and crime. Murder Mystery 2 takes a lighter approach, using humor to show that crime films doesn’t always have to be serious. Together, these openings show the different ways crime films can capture attention and set the tone for an exciting story. They’ve all helped me understand the different directions I can take with my own film project.

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