Analysis of the opening scene of a Thriller

Die Hard with a Vengeance
(Directed and Produced by John McTiernan)

Die Hard with a Vengeance is a 1995 action thriller film and the third sequel in the Die Hard series. It stars Bruce Willis as a NYPD detective John McClane and Samuel L. Jackson as his reluctant partner Zeus Carver.

Die Hard begins with an establishing shot of a New York morning with the sun beginning to rise in the background, this is used in contrast with the impression given off of New York as a bustling busy city. The impression is soon confirmed when the title film appears suddenly with a loud bang. The film begins to unfold as the music "Summer in the city" is heard. This fits with the New York city lifestyle as various shots of buildings and happy people partaking in various activities are shown. The film's flow is errupted after a bomb explodes at the Bonwit Teller store. The camera captures the blast as it appears in slow motion showing the blast's impact and the reaction of the New York residents. The camera then cuts to the police department where workers can be shown reeling from the effect of the bomb. The main chief can be shown answering the phone to a mysteriously voiced sinister male called "Simon". The camera continuously zooms in on the chief's face to convey facial expressions which are key as to what "Simon" says. Simon reveals to the chief that he is behind the bomb explosion and gives consequences as to what may happen again if his demands are not met. This leads in to the protaganist character being introduced which is quite unusual in being introduced so late into the films after the opening main event has already happened. The camera cuts to a moving van in which we can tell as characters included are unable to stay completely still. High angle and low angle shots are used when John McClane is shown lower down compared to the three other members of the police force. We soon find out that John is a recovering alcoholic and a mothering role is put in place as a woman gives him a drink and helps to dress him. This also links as to John's marriage as the audience realise in this sequel that it's not working out. John removes his clothing garments and then quotes: "You know, you're the first woman since Holly to see me do this."
John proceeds with the task he is set by Simon which is where we are introduced to Samuel L. Jackson's character "Zeus". John is made to wear a racist sign to black people which adds to the irony as Zeus who helps John is a black man. This begins the main theme throughout the film where John and Zeus have to overcome their fears and opinions of each other in order to out smart Simon.

Die Hard with a Vengeance Box Office

Die Hard With a Vengeance had a budget of an estimated $90,000,000. It had a wide release opening in 2,525 theaters, making $22,162,245 its opening weekend in the U.S. Die Hard With a Vengeance made $100,012,499 in the USA, and another $261,200,000 worldwide for a gross revenue of $361,212,499.