Genre/ Atmosphere

In the short scene before the actual credits start, the mood is rather factual and impersonal. This is achieved by the dialogue- which uses impersonal statements, and the shots used- scientific subject matter in close-ups. The narrators tone of voice and the emphasis he uses while speaking also reinforce this mood.
Specific dates and places are used- "September 3rd, 1973, at 6.28 PM and 32 seconds... Rue St Vincent, Montmartre." "Avenue Trudaine, Paris 9" is another example of these specifics. Full names are used when people are being discussed - "Eugene Colere" and "Raphael Poulain".

 But this stiff and formal mood is lessened with the soft tone in the colours (no stark bright whites, crisp colours) and the 'paint' style of circling a specific sperm in an otherwise scientifically shot scene (most likely stock footage). The background music in the scene has been quieted, with diagetic sound being heightened (dragonfly wings beating, cars going past, bird song, eraser to paper, breathing etc). This sound effect is often  paired with zooming in on what is making the noise , to make the point of each shot clear and emphasize what is happening. This emphasis of small detail is used throughout the film, so it introduces an important idea/technique.

After that scene when the opening credits start the mood shifts to a childish/happy/quirky/nostalgic mood, with small Amelie playing and having fun. It is almost like a look back to Amelie's childhood.
The french song playing, called 'J'y Suis Jamais Alle' composed by Yann Tiersen, becomes the main sound focus, with the narration stopping. This aids the mood of the scene with its fast pace  It helps set up the soundtrack for the rest of the film, which features this music heavy with violin and piano throughout. (Listen on youtube here)

The nostalgic tone is brought in with the styling of the film, there are slight 'errors' in the lighting and the piano at the start of the scene could almost be mistaken for the piano playing at the start of a silent film. Light leaks are used through out the scene and near the end of the credits you can hear a flickering noise similar to a roll of film reaching the end of the roll, like in old movie theatres. The tones used here to make it seem nostalgic also coincide with the setting that was introduced in the mini scene earlier- 1973. The yellows and soft tones, with nice patterned wallpaper are all setting appropriate.

The lighting and softer focus used create a child like and romantic atmosphere. This sets up the films main genre- romance. The story is about Amelie falling in love in an unexpected way. The red used in the opening could be symbolic to romance (red roses, hearts, passion etc), but is used suitably so that it isn't too obvious or out of place when placed in the context of a 6 year old child playing.

The toys she plays with during the opening credits are not generic 'girls' toys such as dolls and soft toys. She is playing with almost unexpected things (fruit and dominoes) which are not typical toys per-say. This establishes the type of girl Amelie is and how she will develop both with age and as a character.
Amelie's hair and outfit is rather plain for a young girl, so this creates a false sense of what the character will be like in the movie. Although her hairstyle and costuming remain simple the character develops into someone much more complex than she appears.