Action genre: The expendables 2

Sound is very important within a action genre to help set the tone mood and atmosphere. Non diegetic sound is used to reflect the narrative events such as a trumpet noises and fast paced violin as the cars were traveling through a sandy desert. The effect of using non-diegetic sound is that it gives the audience information that there could be some sort of conflict between someone or a group, which is shown through the pace of the music, shows that some sort of tension is building within the audience that a fight may begin. As the opening continuous the violin, becomes more quick and up tempo, as the explosions and gunshots take place, which makes it more tense and dramatic and makes the audience more eager to know the reason behind why this has happened. Diegetic sound is used a lot throughout the opening and we see a change in gear of the cars, as they move through the sandy dunes, another thing we see is that as the people enter into a small town, along with the people inside town were shouting and they seemed scared as they were running as these people enter in with guns and weapons. We also see guns being shot and explosions which are all codes and conventions of a typical action film. We also hear some of the characters talking, and some where shouting symbolizing that they are trying to get there point across. Some of the speech was spoken in a foreign language, suggesting there may be conflict between a different country. This all effective because it allows the audience to part of the experience so it make it more realistic for them. During the opening scene we also hear small dialogue ie swearing, which suggest that they are showing anger want to finish this village as soon as possible, as they are going at a fast pace.

Long shots have been used at the beginning, to show the setting of the film, which showed the audience that its a sandy dune place, and the effect of using long shots is that it creates an extended view of the scene which surrounds the characters or props. We also see a long shot of the town/village, showing the depth of the mise-en-scene.  Medium shots have been used when the camera focuses on one of the men inside the car, and this is effective as it shows the characters expressions, and shows there emotion at this stage of the scene, which shows anger and this is complimented by the guns and explosion, which will be the main cause of this event. Over the shoulder shots have been used to show the audience a viewpoint from one of the characters perspective, we see a view from one of the men watch the people running out of town. High angles shots have also been used as well to show the view point of the characters in the film. This implies power, and strength as it shows that he is more relaxed unlike other people are having to run, to get away from this fight or war. Tracking shots  follows the action of the characters, and we see  a lot of the characters running shooting and shows a lot of driving inside the car, and shows the action and dialogue to reveal to the audience more enigmas for the audience to find out why this has happened. This engages them because it allows the audience to stay involved with action, so it allows the audience to engage into the film which will allow them to escape form everyday life and be focused on something else. Establishing shots have been used to show the setting of the opening, shows us that setting is in a town or a village which has been started off as being bombed and destroyed, which establishes where the narrative is going to take place.

The opening scene features certain narrative events such as the use of guns and weapons and with explosion taking place, we are also shown that there is conflict or war being shown between two countries, which shows some sort of revenge. These conform to the genre conventions as these link to the enigma codes and symbolic codes. Enigma codes are used to tease the audience and engage them in the narrative so they carry on watching the film. Certain enigmas are included in the opening such as puzzles about why there's conflict between these groups, and what could have caused or which could have caused it. These questions are left unanswered about which will make the audience more intrigued to watch on more of the film to find out why these codes have been shown. In the opening the audience would identify symbols such as the costumes they wear so wearing full protected clothing symbolizing to not get hurt or not be noticed. Body language is another symbolic code referring to the characters gestures which compliments there facial expressions.

Noticeable clichés are used in the opening scene such as  the use of nuclear weapons being used, a lot of leap away explosions, a lot of machinery weapons. This engages the audience as they recognize these features and can predict what is going to happen in the narrative, allowing them to watch on more to find out the reasoning behind there actions.