Jonny English Reborn

Directed by: Oliver Parker

This is the opening shot to the whole film. It gives very little away in the context of genre, characters in the film or what the future plot of the film. But the strange light entwined with the diegetic music of doors slamming shut, create a sense of suspense, making interest in the next few moments very high.

Suddenly we are introduced to the first point of any action. In a dark storage basement, a place that stereotypically is a dark and scary place. This juxtaposed with the opening shots create suspense. The folder dropping along side the electric guitar playing behind immediately introduces us to the genre of the movie, action adventure. The close up camera shot enables us to read the spine of the folder. The audience are introduced to the comic factor of the film, with SIR crossed out in a red pen. The theme of the film is also identifiable thanks to the use of mise en scene. Confidential written on the spine of the folder allows the audience to link to the idea of a Spy film in keeping with the previous Jonny English film.

We are next introduced, via a close up shot, of the first Characters in the film who we hear talking. The mise en scene of shot can be linked from moments of John Le Carrs Tinker, Tayler, Soldier, Spy The man with a white shirt and pin striped suit on seems to be stereotypical to Spy films. This along with the diegetic music playing in the background, of a high pitch violin note being played in the background makes a strong feeling of suspense to the movie with very little humour in the opening.

We suddenly see a complete change in the action of the opening, linked in with the cross between montage editing and continuity Editing. A long shot introduces what the audience can only assume are Tibetan monk warriors, famous in western interpretation of Asian monks. The sudden crescendo of diegetic music completely irradiates the suspense that had previously been built. New drum beats are introduced and you can hear the character training. We can also see the main character in the film, recognisable thanks to the first film. This starts to create a humours atmosphere.

An establishing shot is then used, which allows us to place the action into a setting. The audience can begin to piece together, why Jonnie English is here thanks to clues throughout the opening. This is a very different place to find him compared to the dark and creepy basement the previous shots have taken place in. The location title is written in a the iconic computer print with the bleeping sound, again a clear relation to spying and espionage.

As the sequence moves on we begin to find more and more comical moments. This close up shot is just one of many, it shows something that most audience members find weird and disturbing. This is brought about due to the mise en scene of the age of the characters but also because of what he is able to do with his eyes. The diegetic music doesnt play as much a role, the sitar like sound keeps the music in key with the location and acts as a constant reminder of the current actions location.

Finally we see a title sequence, much like that of a James Bond film opening. Again the audience can easily see and make the link between the films thus understand the plot of the film is based around spies. This moment also though helps create a sense of humour, the audience would expect to see stereotypical British Spy that of a man with good looks and who is strong, instead we are introduced to a short man who is rather ugly compared to the known stereotype.

This moment is a clear replica from the film Casino Royal and makes the film seem in many ways cheesy. Along with the rather fast pace and upbeat music that is playing. We can also see the light shinning through the names next to the actual action, building up the suspense once for, this suspense though isn't one of fear or horror, but instead one of humour and light-heartedness. Again there is a clear link between the font from this film and the James bond opening font.

In Summery
This opening is based on many well known Spy like film (James Bond etc.), but the director has twisted them to create a humorous opening with a clear plot and genre throughout. We are only introduced to the main character, and still no very little about the future plot that will take place making the audience intrigued. Finally the use of parallel and continuity editing play a major part in the opening to create this humorous but also dark atmosphere throughout.