Analysis of three thriller opening sequences - Limitless

Limitless:

The opening sequence to the film 'Limitless' takes a much different approach to flightplan. As opposed to having a more 'jumbled' narrative, 'Limitless' consists of a narrative that starts around 3/4 of the way through the film, however, it is narrated by a narrative voice, which shows to the audience that what they are watching is clearly not the start of the narrative. In this way, 'Limitless reveals more of the plot than 'flightplan' does, however, it creates questions for it's audience in different ways. Predominantly through the narrative voice. The narrative voice is both the feature that reveals and hides various parts of the plot. It makes the viewer ask questions about the film. For example, one of the key questions asked is, 'Why is the protagonist in that situation?'. This keeps the audience intrigued for the rest of the film.

The unknown feel to this sequence, I feel, is very effective. As you can see above, the audience are made to ask questions through visual means. In the shot above, the audience are shown that whoever is chasing the protagonist is clearly violent an willing to do anything to find him. This escalates the incident in the audience's view as it makes us question, who or what needs to get to him that much and why? The boxes in his apartment also make us ask this as it looks like he has recently moved, possibly even to escape the people trying ti attack him now, this too, connotes isolation of the protagonist.

Also, 'Limitless' uses a separate, non integrated form of title sequence. This, again, differs from 'Flightplan'. But I believe that a separate title sequence works very well in this movie as the narrative voice isn't over powered, a lot of the effect and meaning created in the sequence, is done so through the narrative voice. The narrative voice juxtaposes what is going on in the scene too, the narrative voice enters as the protagonist is about to commit suicide, however, it comes in with a very smooth calm tone of voice. This massively juxtaposes the action and connotes relief to the audience that he must still be alive.

 I think that this, as an opening sequence, is very effective and does it's job incredibly well, this is why he "limitless' opening sequence is possibly my favourite opening sequence of a thriller film and why I will draw inspiration from it for my main task.