Analysis of three thriller opening credits
Inception
The credits begin with a clear red and black colour theme. This conveys danger, death and fear which correlates with the convention of thrillers. The only other colour noted is white which appears to identify the writer, director, musian etc. This is to seperate the roles and highlight their importance, this shade also fits in with the simplictity of the colour scheme.
Each credit is presented in capital letters which portrays the importance of the actors/actresses. The use of capitals also gives a more dramatic and serious effect. The simple font contrasts to the subsequent complexity of the film. This is to allow the audience to follow the film from the beggining so they do not get confused or mislead straight away as the film starts in a restricted narrative.
The use of straight starks lines, square spirals and angles give the impression of a maze and hence the audience begin to assume things need to be unravelled. Each credit name is introduced within the line of a single letter of the past credit and expands to allow the audience to see the full name of the actor. The way the credit is hidden and then uncovered mimics the way the film progesses as the audience does not know what is happening until all is shown.
The music fits in with each new name as the cymbols are used to emphaise the importance of the credit. As the sound pace increases so does the pace of the changing angled lines which means the audience has to pay precise attention which holds their interest and creates drama.
Each credit is set on screen for approximately 3 seconds, this means that each actor gets their own time and it is equal rating. The title is much larger than the other text and is introduced in the same way as the credits as it zooms out from the T in the word 'INCEPTION'. It also stays on the screen for a longer time which conveys to the audience that it is the title and says in their mind more.
The girl with the dragon tattoo
The girl with the dragon tattoo credits begin with the film studio name, this is presented in white against the pitch black background. Using this contrast of light and shadow it accentuates the text to highlight its importance again as in the 'Inception' credits.
Extremely short flashes of what appears to be patterned metal is composed on the right hand side of the screen away from the text. This is in order to not take too much attention away from the credits whilst the action is taking place. These quick pace flashes increase anxiety and apprehension for the audience.The colour scheme is monochrome with a slight hint of silver. This gives it an industrial feel and look which along with the images of computer technology such as the keyboard and wires provide a link to the films plot. One name of the credits runs inbetween the keys of the keyboard, this makes the shot more interesting and complex to watch for the audience which keeps hold of their attention.
At the start the music beats in at the same time as the 'Columbia Pictures' is presented following a blank black screen. The effect of the beat coinciding with the credits emphaises their significance.
The film title itself is introduced in a large bold block font which is shadowed in a way to look slightly 3D. This portrays it's the title to the audience due to its size, length on screen and is shown only 20 seconds in to the credits.
The thin, accentuated lined font is reminiscent of Swedish writing which triggers ideas to the audience that it is a Swedish based film. The font is also set in a code-like way rather than alphabet letters, for example the 'A' is shown as just an upside down 'V' which portrays a sense of mystery and secrecy. It also gives the impression the film could be about working something out so could show relevance to the film plot. However, this font is still simple and readable for the audience so is clear and understandable.
Old Boy
The credits are shown in fast digital numerical font which creates the effect of hacking computers which suggests the idea that the audience doesn’t know what date or time the film is set in. The way in which the numbers roll back and change very quickly shows the passing of time as in the way old digital clocks rolled up to the next number to show the next hour or minute.
There are also Korean symbols next to the English credits to differentiate languages and show it is a South Korean film. It also adds an air of mystery for an English speaking audience.
The credits change by a horizontal change of numbers/letters in the same way the numbers are changed vertically which again highlights the assumption of computing and changing of time. The use of the small digital modern font and old phone box setting acts as a contrast also as he is seen using an old phone. This style of credits works really well with the film as it emphaises the theme of the film and gives subtle hints to still produce mystery but also get the audience thinking.
The credits are (again like other thriller openings) away from the action so they stand out. After the action the characters there is a scene with purely just distorted looking clocks. Within this the clock goes anti clockwise to show the retracing of time and that the audience has just been taken back to the time before any action has taken place.
The title is then shown on a black background in a rusty looking font in an extremely bright light. The 'D' and 'Y' of Oldboy turn as if they were a clock hand. The turning of these letters emphaises time and mimics a clock. The sound of ticking accompanies this. 
