Applying Levi-Strauss's Theory of Binary Opposites

I am analysing the opening sequnce of Never Back Down (2008), according to Levi-Strauss's theory of binary opposites.

1. What is the genre of the film? How are the genre signifiers introduced? 

The genre of the film is Action/Drama and this is signified by the football game happening in the opening sequence. The game is fast paced and is constantly cutting from one shot to another. We can also tell by the fight that starts during the game. The opening immediately tells the audience that violence will be involved. The main guy in the shots has bandages on his head/hand also adding to the action sense of the film. The fist half of the opening is also quite dark, creating a mysterious, dangerous mood.

2. Who are the main characters and how are they opposed?

We get introduced to one main character in the beginning who is part of the football game and fight. We also see his family who he goes home to, but the lack of focus on them tells us that they won't be main characters. We then see him arriving at a new school in Orlando, where we then get shown a new group of characters who are wearing all black, implying they are evil (or the bad characters) We cut to eyeline matches between the original character and a new guy (in of the evil group) telling us he will be the most important one out of this new fight group. The camera focuses on the new guy who is looking at another boy fighting (as if he is enjoying it) giving us more insight into his character. We then get a sense of friction between the new guy and the original one as, the new guy is encouraging fighting and the original one is trying to stop it (trying to change his old ways).

3. What are the main themes of the film and how are they introduced?

The main themes of the film are Good.vs.Evil, Fighting and Rich.vs.Poor. These themes are introduced by Jake (original guy) trying to stop a fight that Ryan (new guy) is obviously enjoying. This puts the two characters in opposite positions. We also get a clear sense of fighting as the first 10 minutes contains 2 fights, one of which decided the plot of the film. The Rich.vs.Poor theme is slightly less obvious in the opening sequence, but you can tell as Jake goes from a dark, gloomy small house - indicating he is poor- but then he gets to his new highschool where everything is extremely bright and everyone is well dressed, driving nice cars. We also find out later on in the film that Ryan (Jakes nemesis) is extremely rich, opposing him to the poorer Jake. There is a slight hint a love story, although this isn't the main point of the film as it would have appeared earlier on if so. This is shown by glancing between a  girl 'Baja' and Jake in class and then them talking to each other afterwards. We later find out she is Ryans girlfriend causing greater cause for conflict between the two main enemies.

4. How is the narrative organised to show conflict?

The narrative in this sequence is organised to show conflict because it shows us Jake trying to leave behind his 'fighting past' to then move on to more fighting at his new school. It's telling us that conflict is not escapable in this movie. The opening sequence doesn't really contain much dialogue, but the scene with Jake and his mother also shows conflict within his family as they have an argument. It is a series of mid shots which shows the separation between the two of them. The narrative is set up in a way which means one conflict follows on from another. When we see Jakes main rival Ryan, we then get shots alternating between the two of them showing us their reactions to each others actions. This adds conflict as the two chracters are also on opposing sides of the shot.