Features of the Sin City Opening Sequence (Analysis)

The opening sequence is initially very enticing due to the fact that its color is in black and white. There is very little action from characters at the start. However, this opening sequence culminates with the death of one of the two characters first shown. Also the opening sequence is established from a roof top where a vast amount of the city can be seen. The establishment shot is a long shot of the female character walking upwards within the frame with the city in the background. This helps set the tone of the film as the audience will be aware of the location and foreshadow the film's plot.

The openings mise-en-scene is generally fleshed out and well presented. This is due to the high exposure of black and white colors. The female character is seen wearing a red dress which help's us to appeal to the first character on screen. As for the camera-work, we are given an immediate mid-shot of a conversation between the female and a newly introduced male character. This way, both genders from the audience will be attracted to the situation.

This opening sequence with the woman in the red dress could be cross referenced with another film also shot in black and with with only small elements of color. The film is called Schindlers List and it is set in Nazi Germany. There is only one use of color in this film and it is the color red, it is the color of a young child's coat and is first seen during a sequence where a Nazi raid is taking place and many people are being shot. Later in the film you find out that the young girl has been murdered and her body is being burned, this moment is being made more poignant due to the significant use of color. The comparison between the two films could be that although it is not immediately apparent at the start of the film, both people are going to die. As such color is used in both these films to represent death or that a bad event is about to take place.

The opening sequence has been edited a lot to get the effect of a black and white shot with a little bit of color. The red color, as well as signifying death, could also imply a sexual meaning (Sin City).