Comparative Opening Sequence Analysis - Se7en & Panic Room

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement
The opening sequence of ‘Seven’ predominantly uses close ups and extreme close up shots. Whereas, in the opening of ‘Panic Room’, long shots and wide shots are used. Unlike ‘Seven’, a high-angled shot is used in ‘Panic Room’.

Sound
Both Seven and Panic Room use non-diegetic sounds in the opening sequences. Seven uses random sharp metal sounds stimulated to sound like screeching or human screams. Also, the tempo of the sound increases. In comparison, Panic Room is calmer than Seven as it’s not as erratic and as random. An orchstral piece is used in Panic Room where the dynamics of the violins get louder. Also, a ticking clock is used.

Editing
Seven consists of many rapid, erratic cuts, which are disorientated and fragmented. However, Panic Room uses slow, sedate cuts allowing the audience to absorb all of the information where the cuts last longer.

Mise en Scene
In the opening of Seven, the objects in the scene are a key part to the film. There is clearly a collection of books, a knife, scrapbook and razor blade; all of which inside a laboratory or secretive room. Whereas, Panic Room is of the city consisting of buildings, the blue skyline and cars, especially yellow taxis.

Characters
In Seven there is clearly an antagonist present as activity of the character is shown throughout the opening sequence. In contrast, Panic Room has no established characters.

Locations
Seven is located in a photography lab or secretive room as we see the antagonist carry out some work unlike panic room, where it is located in New York City. However, in the same way that Seven is located in one place, Panic room is also located in just once place which connotes a sense of confinement and terror.

Narrative/Plot
Both Seven and Panic Room’s plot are not entirely clear to the audience but we have some sort of implication from images of the scrapbook in Seven that it is related to the suffering of one and murder cases. In Panic Room it is also images that suggest a plot as the billboard in the city of the women imply the victims are women and the billboard of the couple suggest the relationship between them may be broken.

Themes
Both films have very similar themes such as suspense, thriller, death, murder, danger, suffering.

Visual Style
Both opening sequences have individual and unique styles. Seven has a unique and original style as there are unsettling sounds, graphics and titles that are done in a distinct way. Similarly, Panic Room’s style is unique, due to the graphics displayed on and across buildings. This is rarely seen in films.

Genre
The genre of ‘Seven’ is more clearly established than Panic Room as there are disturbing graphical and violent images indicating a horror/thriller category. Panic Room’s plot is ambiguous which conveys the genre of mystery and thriller.