Lord of war is the 2005 film written and directed by Andrew Niccol, it’s UK release date was the 14th October 2005 and on opening weekend in the UK made a gross of £723,406. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox and produced Entertainment Manufacturing Company, the win did not win any notable awards.
The target audience of this film is predominately males aged from 15 and upwards, this film does not have an age limit as it focuses on on current affairs and issues that flock interest from all age ranges. A secondary target audience would be younger males, this is because they stereotypically enjoy explosions, violence and guns. As this film fits into the crime and thriller genre.
The opening to this film sets up the theme of the narrative, there are icons of weapons and war throughout this opening, this connotes to the viewer there will be similar themes throughout this film. The first shot is a fade in to reveal a floor covered with bullets, the camera tilts up whilst travelling towards a man, the camera is at a high angle showing that the man has some importance and authority on the subject in which his monologue to the camera is centred around. The mis-en-scene shows a supposedly derelict town, there are palm trees that denote a foreign tropical country, there are also burnt out cars and bullets scattered along the ground. These are all icons of a war. The man talks directly to the camera, showing a direct mode of address.This address the viewer right on. The man is dressed in a smart suit showing he is important and quite high up, he also smokes a cigar showing he is cocky and arrogant. The scene starts of with non-diegetic ambient sound of a war zone, there are sounds of gunshots as well as screeching noises. These are furthermore icons of a war genre, which link to the target audience.
There is a minimal variety of cuts within the opening, as for the majority of the opening there is a POV shot from a bullets perspective. This title sequence starts in a military factory, again connoting war, a non-diegetic soundtrack is played in the background, For what it’s worth by Buffalo Springfield. Ambient diegetic factory noise is also present throughout. The credits role appear on the screen throughout the bullet sequence, they are in an unconventional order as the main actor Nicholas cage, who is also a stock character of Thriller films. The second credit is the title of the film, the third is Jared Leto another cast. Conventionally the cast credits are together, not separated. The typography is is San Serif font this connotes a serious film, very rigid and militant. The colour is representative of steel.They are laid over the scene which is effective as they don’t avert the attention of the viewer. The more important credits appear in the centre of the scene, however the less important appear on the right or left. Furthermore the writer and directors credits are scene on a black screen at the end, as they appear to be the most important. Aside from this the rest of the credits are conventional as they feature all elements that are usually seen within opening credits.
This opening introduces the main character nearly instantaneously, he speaks directly to the camera, making a connection with the viewers, he further does this with asking a question, subsequently breaking the fourth wall and letting the viewer in.
In conclusion this is an effective opening as it is unique and unconventional, it only uses two camera angles but it manages to create a shocking and in-depth look towards the films narrative. The opening is 3:30, it does not give a clear view of what the films narrative may be, however it introduces key themes and iconography that will appear to target audiences.
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