Analysis on Taxi Driver opening sequence

In the beginning, we are shown the main star's name (Robert DeNiro) in a vivid red, which is contrasted with a black background to give more definition. The use of having a stars name in the beginning of the sequence is, it attracts people who are fans of that celebrity which increases the views of the film. We then cut to a medium shot of a ball of smoke that clears and a taxi drives past as we look at it from a low angle shot. The smoke is used to create suspense for the audience because we do not know what is hidden behind it. Also, the use of the low angle shot on the Taxi makes it look dominant and powerful. When all the smoke has finally cleared we are left with a yellow coloured  'Taxi Driver' title. The smoke then returns as the rest of the actors names are shown. The camera then cuts to an extreme close up of Robert DeNiro's face with a vacant, disturbed face as though he is thinking about something important in  expression. This makes the audience curious about what he might be what is going and want to watch more to find out more.

We then cut to a close up of the front window screen which is blurred by the rain and the lights which creates a disorienting feeling to it. Then we cut back to the same extreme close up shot of his face again and this time we see his eye shift to the left to show that he is looking towards something. Finally, the smoke reappears as a fade and clears for the new scene.