Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels Analysis

The Opening sequence of Lock stock and two smoking barrels identifies its main character with a close-up shot. This is effective because close up is designed to focus attention on an actor's expression and to direct the audience to the importance of character.Character x keeps eye contact with his buyers at the market place ,therefore the spectators can learn that he is  assured of himself and confident.


The first shot is the opening title which uses a typewriter font in  the middle of the screen against a black background. The lettering in white, this connotes a scheme of secret service. The title reads "summit entertainment". This is the first hint that the genre of Lock Stock is of illegality. The typeface is associated with crime.


Humour is used adequately in  the opening scene this captures the audience attention, character "x" creates humour by his cockney banter, through puns, and rhymes that he uses. It used for engaging the viewers at the start of a film.


The first shot is a long shot. This is significant shot to use in the opening scene because it establishes the setting and surrounding. It also shows us where the action is taking place. This functions as indicating the setting and the relationship between the protagonist and the hustling purchasers. The viewers recognise that we are viewing a contemporary urban high street.


The Mise en scene in this scene shows character "x" behind the metal shutters this connotes a poor retail business, the crowded atmosphere,rubbish,cars parked on high street, and the run down buildings suggest an unprivileged enclosure.


Costumes: characters are wearing warm coats and scarf's which indicates season,weather and atmosphere, the costumes also indicates the status of the characters. The clothing of characters and informal cockney accent reinforces the impression that is a modern London setting. The confident accent of character "x" suggests that he is a knowledgeable yet crafty guy in his early 20's and also places the audience in urban market place. 


Non-diegetic sound is used effectively in Lock stock. The music played complements the action of the characters "x" and "y", running away from the police officers. The fast upbeat music incorporated  in this scene  emphasises hustle ad quick pace of action. The style of music (rock) helps reflect the character's state of mind :impatient and commotion of surrounding.This is engaging and deliberately done as it allows the viewers to respond and empathise with the characters emotions. The  spectators understand that characters "x" and "y" have a desire to get away from the police immediately. The choice of music allows the viewers to recognise and distinguish a contemporary viewing and inner-city setting.


After a few seconds the camera then cuts to the second title,very allied style to the first. The film then returns to a second close-up of characters "x" which jump cuts very quickly to a medium close-up which begins to track out. The jump cut is slight but adds an edgy,restless and chaotic feel to the camera work. This type of edit causes the subject of the shots to appear to "jump" position in a discontinuous way and also highlights the hustle of the marketplace. The mid close up of the protagonist  re-emphasises both the importance of main character and re-establishes for the spectators the environment and setting. The third title follows on from this shot and repeats the style of the first two identical titles.


The three titles read like a list, the first two titles familiarize the audience of the main sources of funding for the film and the third naming the production company it reads "vaughn production".


Reverse shot continuity editing is manipulated in the next three medium close up shots. The camera sticks to the 180 degree rule in the edit sequence in  order to reinforce the nature of space, time and  earthly associations that have been interrupted by the editing of the titles.