Spy Thriller Film Opening Observations

Hello! I am watching the first few minutes of two spy thriller films, The Gray Man and Heart of Stone

Heart of Stone: Film starts with establishing shot and zoom in to the top of a mountain. We then start tracking a women wearing fancy clothes. There's diegetic sound of a helicopter and dialogue in which the woman is talking about a target telling us she is a spy. It then cuts back and forward from a fancy party and a car on the side of the mountain introducing new characters. In the car there is a man engaging in dialogue, the camera then slides to reveal another women. There are a lot of props used, theres computers trying to hack into a system anda tablet connected to the security cameras showing us the footage. There is also non digetic music playing in the background. It gives us a suspenseful vine signaling something is about to happen. We get POV shot from the cameras showing that the people walking in are the ones being watched and the targets. We continue to truck and track the characters showing all the movement to get be able to do their plan. The music escalates and becomes louder as a suspense is built up and then evens back out when everything is back to normal. As the first few minutes end we are left wondering how the rest of the mission is going to play out.  

The Gray Man: The film starts off with diegetic dialogue, we at first hear them talking but dont see any faces. They use a wide shot to show they are in an interrogation room, one character is in handcuffs and a prison uniform and the other is in a nice suit. We then have quick editing and mid shots as they continue conversation. The quick editing helps show the conversation flow. We get close ups showing their faces in conversations. We also get high angles of them sitting adding to some tension. The dialogue continues as the man in handcuffs get recruited to the CIA. The conversation continues and we get another wide shot that then transitions into the films title. This opening leaves us wondering if the man will accept the offer or stay in jail keeping us with questions and making us want to watch some more. 

In reflection the two films had a very different approach to their film opening, Heart of Stone started with a quick pace already introducing some suspense and getting straight into action and spy activity. While the gray man started of more slowing giving more background on the characters. Thought they both started differently they both leave you asking questions after watch the first few minutes. I personally prefer the more straight to the point opening and that is more of the direction I want to go with for my film opening.