Textual Analysis of Action Film Openings: 28 Weeks Later

Mad Max: Fury Road
World War Z
28 Weeks Later

28 Weeks Later

The scene opens with a child reciting the off-screen events that led up to this moment i.e. opening sequence. He talks about how someone was trying to kill him, including his mother and father; the juxtaposition of a young innocent child facing something as brutal as murder entices the audience - this is a trope often used in the horror/post-apocalyptic genre. The fact that his parents are involved amplifies this. 

Another character is then introduced who constantly looks through a small hole. This repetition heightens the tension for both the characters and the audience from the very beginning since it foreshadows the next moment; a jump-scare is used shortly afterwards. The exaggerated use of low-key lighting in this shot adds an element of mystery and anticipation to the atmosphere.

Here a point-of-view shot is used so you are made to see this struggle from the other side of the shed, through the antagonist's eyes, contrasting with the last shot which has an unsettling effect as the audience feels helpless in this event. 

The character is shown struggling with the antagonist who bites her arm leading to her biting the nearest character spreading the infection. This backstory helps establish the post-apocalyptic survival theme to the audience. 

Throughout this scene harsh, loud music is used to emphasise danger, which is further amplified with the usage of abrupt, fast cuts as well as quick camera movements to display the action and thrill the audience.

This opening scene focuses on a variety of different characters who all reside in the same setting. This helps show every character's reaction to the same obstacle which helps the audience relate to and familiarise themselves with the characters but not too deeply since the narrative alternates frequently.

The use of this setting implies that the characters are in shelter from something without explicitly stating what; most elements in this opening sequence are shown rather than verbally expressed which audience members may find intriguing. However - although a lot is left unsaid - the opening is quite fast-paced, staying true to the typical post-apocalyptic film fan's expectations.

Several long shots are used in this scene combined with a bird's-eye angle to give a clear view of the large number of antagonists in opposition to one character. These types of shots are usually used when characters are running primarily in post-apocalyptic movies.