Technical Analysis- The Da Vinci Code

In the opening sequence of the Da Vinci Code an aerial shot is used that displays the characters through the skylight of the building. By doing this, the brief exiting of the scene with the addition of non-diegetic sound in the form of traffic gives us an impression of the nearby environment and it's exclusivity. This conceals the dialogue of the two characters and shows they are being secretive. The use of low key lighting supports the dark time of day and also creates a sense of mystery.

The power between the characters swaps in different parts of the clip. The cutting rate decreases when Tom Hanks is on screen suggesting he is an important character in the film and therefore the storyline. The people in the audience get next to no screen time suggesting they are less important, this could also imply they are being lead by Tom Hanks rather than them having a separate importance. In contrast the man with a cloak and gun at the beginning appears to have the power over the elderly gentleman due to the use of props. The man with a cloak is holding a gun which would give him more power over the elderly gentleman. However before this they use a series of different camera angles to establish who has the power because the elderly gentleman is running away from the man with a cloak. The use of props is there to create fear and tension as well as to show power.

There is a strong focus upon the faces of the people (especially the eyes) in the paintings as displayed in close up shots. The faces appear to be sorrowful and saddening which implies the fate of the elderly gentleman. This in addition to the gun and the harmonic music played in the background, adds to the intensity and criminological theme of the opening scene. However, unknown to the viewer is the link between the "secret" discussed in the dialogue and the hidden symbols and meanings in the paintings.

The music that is used in the opening scene of the film is very deep and mysterious. By using the very orchestral music it begins to build tension and suspense which will intrigue the viewer because they will be wondering why the music is portrayed in this way. All becomes clear when the camera quickly changes to the elderly gentleman running away, the music has set the scene for us as viewers and we now can see this elderly man is in a distressing and uneasy situation which links to the tension built up from the music. The mystery also shines through when the man who is wearing a cloak never revels his identity and stays behind the darkness and barrier the hood creates. This means you begin to wonder who these characters are and what they are after.