The introduction starts with a mid-shot of one of the detectives (Morgan Freeman), he's getting dressed; here is a clue about the genre/what it’s about because he’s wearing a shirt and tie (very smartly dressed which narrows his job down; Which would be what the viewer is thinking) You then see him walking at a crime scene with a top hat and a long jacket (Props; This gives a clue to who he is... A detective because of the way how he dresses, the 'typical' uniform for a detective. There is then a low angle shot which is showing authority and who is in charge which obviously would be the detective. Further to this he going on to talk about 'the kid' asking 'did the kid see it' (Background information someone has died and he is at the crime scene) This shows he cares about a lot not only the death of the man but also the children. Another man enters and then introduces his self as detective mills (Brad Pitt)
The camera at a low angle then follows both of the detectives as they walk then changing two a two shot; again showing authority, who is in charge and who has power. Also to take note of the setting and the weather. The weather is gloomy and raining. There has just been a death which they all tie in with each other. Its dark, raining and now showing much happiness in the intro as of yet.
The shot then changes completely changes and goes to Morgan Freeman in a bedroom alone reading books; this shows that he is intelligent and not just that it shows how he works too compared to the other detective (Brad Pitt) he talks a lot and tells him to look as Brad talks a lot. There is a clash in personality. It also shows that he is alone and as this is his last detective case it must have an impact on him to be alone and see all the troubles in society. He has trust issues and no one to talk. He then goes on to put a pendulum on to help him sleep, this shows his troubles further that his career has affected him that much he cannot sleep at night. You then hear Non-diegetic sound with has been put there to show the effect it has had on him. The setting of this scene is in a city centre which it its self is very loud, busy and keeps him awake further. There’s sirens, people talking and screams which links in with his career. You then keep swapping between an extreme close up of the pendulum and Morgan Freeman trying to sleep.
That scene is then finished by dissolving into the opening credits. Which is superimpose a selection of images (visual clues) within the credits itself. This also gives clues away of what is about to come for example there are plans, (diary ect) The going to someone cutting their skin off to muddle with finger prints, the thing murders would do. This gives an insight to the viewer of what’s going to be happening in the film without giving too much away. There images and short clips which are combined together are mostly extreme close ups which gives detail and the viewer can easily analyse what they can see. Which can open the viewer’s imagination.