Film & TV Language: Film poster analysis

 

 

         

The facial expression of the seemingly male protagonist is quite serious and concerned, ready for action. The male could be the protagonist since his face is the largest in the frame and the bright lighting behind him draws attention to him. The female, holding a prop cigarette, could perhaps be the femme fatale, a common character who aligns with the conventions of a film noir. The use of cigarette portrays her as potentially evil with subverted morals, cigarettes have connotations to gangsters and corrupt people. In addition the use of shadow presents her as mysterious and perhaps evil whereas the male is presents with bright beaming lights to perhaps juxtapose her and present him as a hero. The male is holding a prop gun, perhaps indicating that this film is an action film. An enigma code is presented as the audience question what threats are posed to him. This could be a hybrid genre of action/Sci-Fi since the background of the poster looks like space and there are scientific drone/vehicles in the poster. The tagline suggests a potential plot to the movie, suggesting the male has accidently created an alien/ robotic entity and is now faces with a dilemma. The audience of this movie is perhaps suited for young adults since children may be too young to understand the themes or may be phased by violence. The poster uses star power by writing the main actor 'Harrison ford' in order to gain attraction and sell tickets to gain a wider audience of viewers from all demographics to view a movie with a celebrated actor.                   

                     

This movie appears to be presented as a comedy movie. The critics review indicated the movie is hilarious. The title of the film is almost a cliché since its quite blunt, expressing that this movie is a scary movie. This makes us question is its a horror. This movie may be a parody, the facial expressions of the characters are exaggerated and overdramatic, almost mimicking and making fun of a traditional horror film. The tagline and the "2" in the title implies that this is a sequel which may be better that the first movie, perhaps continuing along the storyline. There is a priest who is holding his fingers (action code) in the sign of a cross to imply he is using Christ to repel an evil spirit of some sort, a common convention of a horror film. This also is an enigma code as were unsure of what the characters are afraid of. There are 2 female characters who fit the stereotype of "pretty and unaware girl who dies first". This is a convention of typical horror films.

The overall tone of this poster is eerie and melancholic. Its almost monotone, its very desaturated which could indicate that this film covers harsh topics with a melancholic storyline. The only character in the poster is dressed in all black, almost showing him as a silhouette. An enigma code is employed as the audience are questioning what the man is doing. The smoke in the background perhaps indicated this could be a war/ conflict film. The use of pathetic fallacy also portrays the desolation and depressing nature of the film. This could be an indie film with a niche audience due to the foreign language and ambiguity of the poster and unrecognisable actors. 

The posters angle is low and takes the perspective of being in a hole, where a boy is looking in to it. The characters facial expression indicates he is scared by whatever he's looking into however, the title juxtaposes this by stating "I'm not scared" presumably referring to the main character. He seems to be convincing himself that he is not scared when he clearly appears to be. This could perhaps foreshadow the storyline as the boy may develop his feelings and conquer this fear. The low angle possibly gives the boy power and physical status as he is looking down into the hole where the camera is.

This movie is presented as an action movie. Perhaps a hybrid as an action - thriller film. The red text on the title stands our, the colour red having connotations to evil and the devil. Not to mention the title being called "Sin city", where sin suggests that illegal and corrupt things are occurring within the setting of this film. There is an action code used where the woman character is holding a prop gun.

The use of pathetic fallacy, as its raining, indicated that the film is chaotic and action based. The tagline suggests this film may follow the theme of being a vigilante group that save a city. A woman in the poster is holding a knife, a particularly violent prop, suggesting violence is a motif throughout this film.

In the poster, there is a small doorway, with a silhouette of a woman, an enigma code. She could perchance be a femme fatal character.

The use of star power attracts a wider audience who are perhaps fans of the actors. The main character (johnny depp) is dressed in the costume of a pirate, indicating that this movie is about pirates. He is also wearing dark eyeliner, perhaps to present him as a villain. There is a woman on the poster who may be regarded as a love interest, perhaps a love triangle appears between all 3 characters. A pirate ship is shown on the poster, which seems to be tackled by a large octopus leg, perhaps presenting this as a fantasy movie with fantastical/ unusual creatures that pose as a threat and dilemma through the film.

The main audience of this film may be catered towards a south asian audience due to the characters being from that demographic. This appears to be a hybrid genre of a romantic comedy. The main 2 characters who seem to be romantically involved are positioned in the centre frame of the poster., showing that they are the most important subjects. There is confetti uses as props to create a happy, celebratory tone, indicating that the couple receive a happy ending. The tag line backs up the fact that this film may be a rom-com as its "romantic, funny and sexy.

This film appears to me a sports action hybrid genre. The woman in the centre appears to have an athletic physique as her back muscles are exposed through a tank top, commonly worn by boxers in film. Her hairstyle also indicates she is a boxer as this is the hairstyle commonly shown throughout film. She appears to have a serious, stern "game face". The lighting is casted bright on her back muscles, emphasising her strong character. Behind her, is a man who is dimly lit and has a shadow casted over him. This makes him seem mysterious. Along with his hat which aims to mask his identity and present him as a mysterious character, which is an enigma code. Star power is also utilised by using the famous actors names in order to gain attraction and sell the movie to a wider audience.  Perhaps the audience is catered to young adults and those interested in sports. Perhaps the narrative of this film follows the protagonist who enters fights in order to win money, as suggested by the title "million dollar baby'.