The Da Vinci Code ( Howard , 2006 , US)

The Da Vinci Code starts out with  a mellow and sombre , non diegetic score. The instruments used are string based and are being played a low volume, this makes the audience feel relaxed for the opening. The titles are given a blue tint that mimics a UV light shining on the paintings this relates to the overall narrative in general.

As the titles become more intense so does the originally sombre score. This UV light keeps appearing and this suggests it has something to do with the plot. The last place it shines is the V in the title " The Da Vinci Code' We see very quick shots of a man running through a hall surrounded by paintings. They are low angle shots this has connotations of the man perhaps having power in some way , however this is contradicted with the fact he is running away from something at the same time. It is unknown what the man is running away from at first however a shadow of a hooded figure walking behind him is shown , but the actual person is not. This makes the audience ask questions , such as who is this hooded figure and why is this man running away from them?. As soon as the audience sees the hooded figure , there is a close up of a painting.

The scene alternates from shots of the man panting and running , to close ups of the various paintings situated in the location. There is a lot of low key lighting used in the scene and this adds to the mystery and ambiguity of the scene.The man running lifts a painting and we are then shown the hooded figure holding a gun, this creates suspense and tension, the hooded figure lifts his hood while pointing a gun at the man , we are shown his face however he dark lighting still keeps his identity a mystery. This opening sequence keeps a lot of information hidden and this is very much typical of a thriller genre film