6 shots of hot fuzzz

During our last media lesson, we watched the opening sequence to Hot Fuzz a numerous amount of times.

We were then asked to select a series of clips from the opening sequence of the film,  and 
analyse the representation of Nicholas Angel's status.

 

56 - 01:01

The opening chop i have chosen to use is the audience's introduction to who Nicholas Angel is. At the very beginning we can't see anyone's face, only a man, in police uniform marching towards the camera. We are instantly given an idea about his status with the way he is marching with a lot of purpose, as if he is almost a man on a mission. We are then, at the very end of the clip show his face, a stern, angry looking man, with a identical picture on his police identification. This leads the audience to believe that the man takes his job very seriously, and he has a lot of passion for it.

01:05 - 01:10

This 5 second clip, is very subtle, and simple, but very effective.

At exactly 01:05 we are shown Nicholas, once again marching with purpose, with his hat under his arm with the other arm moving freely with intent. This once again reiterates his purpose and urgentness to get to where he's going to as fast as possible. We are then shown a side shot of Nicholas where we see his police indenification number, which is 777. This is relating to the fact that the number 666 is referred to as 'the number of the beast' [devil], so therefore it's once again hinting that Nicholas is perfect - an angel.

01:10 - 01:15

At this point we are shown a image where 11 people are all in uniform. Nicholas is at the front at the centre, once again hinting he's the best. The voice over then lets us know that Nicholas attended police training, and tells us how he 'displayed great attiutude in field excercises'. We also see Nicholas charging out during training, with fellow men, all shouting as if to give them all a fearful presence and to make them see more manly to the audience.

01:17 - 01:22

Here we are shown very fast moving film. 

It shows lots of the officers, moving together as a tea, very fast. It also shows them all, almost hiding, behind riot shields from fire. The director could of been doing this to make the police look weak, as if they always need someone, or something to hide behind. However on the other hand, it could be trying to show the police tackling the evil - the fire. 

01:26 - 01:31

In this clip we see Nicholas pacing through a police examination finishing, before every other person in the room , [of course it's Nicholas]. It then goes onto showing Nicholas looking extremely smug, as he recieves the baton of honour at a presentation, he's once again at the front and centre of the picure, with all eyes on him and his achievements. Behind Nicholas, in the backround of the picture it also shows the police badge, with all his fellow members of the force behind him, this is showing the audience that he has the backing of the entire force.

01:34 - 01:39

At this point everything seems as if everyone loves Nicholas within the force, but we, as an audience, aren't really aware if he is respected by the public any more than the average police officer. 

We then learn in this clip that he often goes out into the public asking them for help, trying to include them, and make them feel as if they are a part of it all. The voiceover also talks about how he quickly established a popularity within the community.