Opening sequence analysis (Book of Eli)

Camera
In the opening scene to 'Book of Eli' shows an establishing shot of a forest seemingly during august as the leaves are falling from the trees which straight away gives the perception of the approaching of the end of the year or possibly someones life. The seasons all follow the similar pattern to a human life as Spring brings new life summer is happy, autumn come around and shows the decaying of trees and winter brings the end of the life and year. The theme on camera stayed with the perception of death and decaying from the leaves a gun is shown and as the camera pans along to show a dead body with the hand outstretched as if there was a struggle or violent showdown between someone and the recently dead body. The leaves also act as a cover up to the dead body consuming the body and the evidence of a murder. The pan and track then reveals a human figure sitting barring a bow and arrow ready to use on the unsuspecting cat.
Sound
During the opening scene there is a ongoing deep percussion sound that immediately gives us the perception of a thriller/horror genre film. There is minimal use of sound during this opening scene only used at points of significance and climatic tension. The leaves on the ground add to the noticeable sound of footsteps with the crunching of dead and decaying leaves. This adds to the belief that there is nowhere to hide and the thriller/horror genre is reinforced. Halfway through the opening scene there is a slight sound bridge as we hear the deep breathing before the tracking shot pans over to reveal the human waiting to ambush the cat. The deep breathing not only reinforces the horror/thriller genre but also links the dead and seemingly deserted wilderness with human impact and presence. The ongoing percussion music is used as an indicator of a forthcoming climax and build up of tension like the dramatic build up to the abrupt cut revealing the hunters breathing once more until a sudden burst of sound from the release of the arrow giving the audience a shock, pinning the film as a definite thriller seemingly horror from he early signals like the music chose, percussion and deep breathing.
Editing
The opening scene for the 'Book of Eli' has a minimal use of editing techniques throughout the scene. The take is stretched out for one minute fifty six seconds however through out the long take the use of trees acts as cuts to break up the take into a seemingly normal set of takes. This elongated take creates tension and suspension asking rhetorical questions for the audience why is he there? who is he? whats the cat doing? These are all enigmas which will be answered later within the film but in the opening scene acts as a hook for the audience to watch on. There is a eye line match from the arrow of the hunter to the cat which is effective in showing us that the cat is aware of the presence of something and allows us and the cat to see the forthcoming fatality and his demise.
Mis en scene
The use of mis en scene in the opening scene is minimal but powerfully effective as it uses props such as the gas mask the hunter is wearing as enigmas and a sense of fear from the audience about the unknowing of who he is? why does he have it on? Also allows us to establish that this may not be the same world as we know it and therefore intrigue us to want to know more. The use of falling leaves gives us perception of autumn and also acts as a means of covering up what has happened when we see the dead body being overcome by the falling decaying leaves. The introduction of a gun from a gun on the floor to the bow and arrow could show how the new technology has been reverted back to primitive times and our cavemen, animistic instincts have shown through. the showdown between the cat and hunter makes us aware that perhaps something has happened with link to him wearing the mask as humans no longer engage in hunting in this way anymore where it is the cat fighting for his life and human for his ultimate showdown between man and beast.