The film opens with the 'Paramount' logo as well as the 'Nickelodeon' logo. The yellow/blue colours used in the opening make it appear quite magical, and the use of serif font brings in the idea of adventure due to the gold colour relating to treasure. The contents of the frame is condensed towards the right, with room on the left hand side for titles to be included. This occurs while eerie/mysterious music plays in the background.
The film then shows preserved animals, allowing a scientific theme to be brought in.
The character then walks in, and the film cuts to a shot of an animal noticing this - implies that if the animal notices this, it's a serious moment: the character is of importance/significance.
When the character enters, the diegetic sound of heavy breathing can be heard, implying he is in a rush - the quick cuts between shot reinforce this idea. Audiences see that there are animals crawling on the floor, suggesting that the character is unorganised and chaotic. The sound of the door opening and closing is abrupt and interrupts the calm atmosphere that was built up - it changes the pace. To suit this, the music in the background then speeds up in order to keep up with the pace of the movie. The close-up of various objects, especially the key, suggests to audiences that these are items of importance and meaning.
The film then cuts to an aerial shot, audiences are kept out of view of the character - as if we shouldn't be there. The jump cut brings audiences closer to what he is doing; viewers can clearly see his work and his studies.
The characters face is obscured - he's hidden from viewers: his work has been revealed to us, but he won't be exposed quite so easily - he comes across as a "mad scientist".
The high-angle aerial shot enables the character to appear engulfed in his work. His setting seems to be an old laboratory - in a different time period. A cut to a close-up of the characters eye, proves to audiences that he is focused and is concentrating intensely on his work. Viewers then witness the character suddenly pull away from his desk and gasp - as if he's made a shocking discovery. The use of quick cuts and high-pitched music suggest to audiences that the character is in a hurry to get things done.
The hyperbolic wind interrupts the character in his actions, giving the impression to viewers that his knowledge and whatever is inside the book will not be good for him. Following this, the aerial shot of the house with a pulsating ring around it, while a diegetic sound of a growl erupts, implies that something bad is going to happen.
The film then cuts to a mid close-up of the male character - it's a reaction shot as to what is happening; he appears alarmed, cautious, and scared. Then, the film cuts from his face looking down to the book to an over-the-shoulder shot of the book - indicating to audiences that he realises the peculiar activity going on is because of his knowledge.
The lighting creates shadows, while the diegetic sound of lightning heard makes it creepy, and is included to fit the fear seen on the characters face. When the title of the film appears, a twinkling sound can be heard - inserting a magical, fantasy feel to the movie.
The long shot of the house proves it is isolated and out of the way - audiences get the sense that it is within a quiet and eerie atmosphere. The titles: "80 years later" confirm to audiences that the previous shots were in a different time period. After the titles, the music becomes softer and quieter, indicating that the mood is changing, just like the time period. The car pulling up towards to house indicate the house and its activity will be another families experience.
Opening sequence to 'The Spiderwick Chronicles':
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