Opening Scene Analysis

Guardians of the Galaxy

       

Within Guardians of the galaxy the sound is the most crucial part. It is the very first thing presented as the scene beings, the importance of this one song playing is emphasised further as the very first shot is an extreme close up of an old Sony MP3 player, which also links to the time frame 1988. However, this is part of mise-en-scene as it shows that there is a meaning towards it but as an audience from this beginning scene we don't know what it is yet. As the film continues we find out that this song is the way that even as a young child it connected him closer to his late mother. 

After the close up we are introduced to the main character Peter Quill. His importance to the film is shown through the long take of him just listening to music before making a long sigh as his grandfather approached. However, we see that his grandfather also plays an important part especially in Peters life as the long shot shows his grandfather coming down to his body level for comfort. This does not only symbolise the bond between both the grandfather and Peter but also can also suggest that he is his legal guardian and shows the support he is trying to give Peter. These scene will effect the audience to sympathise with them both as they about to lose someone they both love, and most of the audience can.

As the scene progresses the next shot we see is a close up of his mothers pale blue hand straining to hand over a present. This signifies her weakness to the audience allowing them to understand her pain and position, furthermore, it allows the audience to connect with each character as we see the mother clearly unable to manage simple tasks and the family being able to do nothing but what her suffer. This could also suggest how close she is to passing and wants to be able to do this one last thing before she goes.

This is shortly followed by a medium shot of heart monitor with a long beeping sound displaying her heart has stopped, in addition, the mother is still in focus in the background but shown peacefully sleeping adding to the realism of the death. The realism is shown more in this scene as we hear the silence from other characters whilst we can hear her sons pain through him screaming for his mother. This shows strong emotion and again allows the audience to connect to Peter and sympathise for him.

As Peter is taken out the room we see a long take of him whilst the camera slowly zooms out. The way this shot is filmed can be used to symbolise how Peter feels, the further away the camera goes, the more distant he feels not only from his mother but the rest of his family, suggest he feels alone and left to defend for himself. As he beings to become frustrated and unable to cope, he runs away from the scenario. 

A wide shot is then used which shows the boy running through fog in the dark not being able to tell where he is. This immediately gives the effect that something is going the happen. Through the mise-en-scene of low key lighting and fog both having connotations of danger and fear, we begin to suspect that this event is going to become worse for Peter. This is then confirmed as a space ship flies over Peter showing the size comparison  using another wide angle shot, we see a high angle shot of him down on his knees looking up towards it. The high angle shot, indicates that he is powerless and by him being alone and vulnerable, he is then taken away. 

The scene ends on a cliff hanger making the audience want to see more which means they are now engaged to want to watch the rest of the film in order to have their questions answered.