Reservoir Dogs- Opening analysis

Reservoir Dogs-Opening





From the opening sequence from the film Reservoir Dogs, we can gather that the genre of the film is gangster. We can see this as there are 8 characters shown in the opening who are depicted as being a group. They are dressed in black suits and dark glasses that connote importance and power. Also, they are smoking cigars and wearing gold chains which act as signifiers adding to the characters gangster status'. The gangsters illustrated in this opening are a vast difference compared to the stereotypical modern gangster. However, the film is associated with the time period of the 70's and depicts how they were represented at that time.

The narrative that can be hinted from the opening is that the gangsters are coming together to go somewhere and maybe create trouble. They are walking with a sense of direction and look like they are up to mischief. There is one character in the group who is not wearing a suit and doesn't really fit with the gangster look. So, this can suggest that the narrative may have to do something with this character gaining his gangster status. Also, as the charcters have been represented as gangsters the film could also include crime and weapons.

The opening is set in a city street and can signify that this is going to be the setting for the rest of the film.  This adds to the gang culture of the film. There is a rundown blue truck shown in the opening which adds to the urban gangster theme distinguished from the opening. The atmosphere that can be perceived from the opening is serious but fun. The seriousness coming from the suits the characters are wearing and the fun coming from the incongrous upbeat, happy backing music. The themes from this film opening are gang culture, smoking, cool and swarve. The titles in the opening are a smart, golden colour which adds to the gang culture and seriousness of the film. The actors names correspond to their individual camera shots, the actor/charcter who is revealed last can be portrayed as the gang leader as he is at the front and takes the spotlight at the end.