Practise - what do we expect to see in an opening two minutes of a feature film?

What do we expect to see in an opening two minutes of a feature film?

How much of the plot is introduced in the opening 2 minutes?
How many key characters are there?
Is there much dialogue?
How many locations are there?
What are the credits like?

today we were introduced to three professional film openings in which to help us to decide what we expect from the start of a good quality film. The films we watched were: Forest Gump, Juno and Amores Perros.

Professional film:

Forest Gump: Honestly, not much of the plot was introduced in the first 2 minutes as we only had a focus of a leaf which we can suggest signifies the life of the character whom we haven't seen until the end of the opening scene. There is only one key character introduced or from what we have seen who links with the leaf as it lands on him. however, he is the only character introduced. There is no dialogue in Forest Gump as there was only music and the sound of the traffic in the setting to give a realism effect. There was only one location which was the city as the leaf continued its journey in the city until it lays next to the bus stop by the bench with the main character. The credits were popped up while the feather floats to inform the ready and also watch the movie to keep the audience entertained and make use of the time.
https://youtu.be/W7voy1vit6Y

Juno: none of the plot was introduced in the film as it focused primarily on the creativity of the credits and to interest the audience. there is only one key character introduced in the film as she walks through town or a populated area. the focus is only on her and everyone else is extras. There is no dialogue due to a song with lyrics are used over the film so there is no other sound which gives the song importance and can attract an audience who like the song. there is only one location as she walks through town to another location setting. the credits were animated as the character was half animated and the colours changed and the surroundings became painted with credits to use the time well and make the most of it to make the credits more interesting.
 https://youtu.be/20PQBtyfNZY

Amores Perros: the plot was straight away involved in action and clearly set in the middle of the film as they are straight into a car chase which leaves the audience questioning why and also understanding its an action packet film. there are two key characters who are friendly and close and are in the car which is getting chased by other people who are trying to kill them. they are also looking after a dog therefore the dog could play a big part of the film. yes the dialogue is Mexican and is an international film but you don't need to understand as you know they are talking about getting away from the people as they clearly fear death. the location is in the town in the car as they drive through the town to evade the chasers to escape. the location is also busy, indicating that it was during rush hour. there are no credits in the start of the film on the opening scene.
 https://youtu.be/f48wH7l3c5I


Student made film

Captive: the plot was introduced slowly in the opening two minutes as it reveals the capture and the escape. however we have no indication to who why and how they got there. there is one key character in the film who has a friend with him but the primary focus is on one character. no not much dialogue as he is mainly speechless but the dialogue given portrays the film and gives the audience a good idea of what's going on as its clear they are wanted. there is only one location where they are held captive which is a abandoned place however they also run off into the open fields. the credits are really good as its during the film and are colour related to the horror using red and not stopping the film therefore, making the most of the two minute film.
https://youtu.be/93fH1fUQ-Lw 

Exile: the plot is introduced in the fact that, they are on an expedition to get to a place they know and walk for the two minutes before knight fall. we don't know where they are going or why but we know they need to get to a destination. there is 4 main characters with one leader and a dragon which features in the film but there is no indication they are linked. Not much dialogue but the dialogue used indicates a little piece of the plot and shows they are in a hurry to get to the place and indicates they are not safe due to showing they would be silly to carry on at night. The location was a montage but they were setting off into the landscape of fields. They went past ruins and trees and ditches to set the scene and give a sense of woodland and also realism. The credits were at the start with music to inform the audience and the title was set after the first two minutes.
https://youtu.be/4lwa5yait8U

The Marksman: The plot was introduced in the 2 minutes as you can tell the genre was action and violence was imminent. the shooting, the fighting and the chasing all lead up to the tense clips and the early murder leading you to ask lots of questions. there is 5 main characters with three men being chased by a white hooded man and the main enemy in the black mask. these show sides and show who is an enemy and who is a friendly as the camera shows to be on the people being chased, on their side. there is regular dialogue explaining the plot, explaining the chase and leading on new characters. There is shouting to make the film more tense as well. there is the location of the city where they are being chased but different characters start in different places such as the masked man is away from everyone at the start. The credits show the time and place and give a good indication of the setting.
https://youtu.be/HoJlLzuRaUo