Film Trailer Analysis

X-men Analyis The trailer opens with an establishing long shot on a big arena type place where there is a woman speaker who addresses her large audience as “ladies and gentlemen” which suggests that this is a very formal and public speech about a serious and legal topic. The speaker and maybe also the listeners are portrayed as intelligent as the speaker talks of evolution. We then cut to a medium shot and different tracking shots around a man with grey hair and glasses; there is diegetic sound of him being cheered on by normal seeming humans, at first it appears that this is the side of the story we are to be seeing the film from and we should support this side. However as the trailer moves on we are then shown the ‘other side’ in a more positive light. There is some confusion at first which could represent how the mutants feel about themselves on first discovering their condition. There is a non-diegetic voice over cut from scenes and put over different scenes saying things such as, “who are you?” and “what kind of place is this?” showing maybe there are lots of questions to be answered throughout this film. We are shown many different mutant characters from different angles showing more confusion as they look strange, one close up of a woman with very white hair and large eyes at a slanted low angle making her seem strange. The editing gradually gets faster pace suggesting the film will be an action film. We then cut to different shots of the character Xavier, the effect of seeing him on a close up and medium shots for lengths of time show focus on this character and that he is important to the plot and also a powerful dominant character. We then learn that he may be the ‘good side’ in the plot as he says he is trying to help the mutants at his mutant school to “focus their powers in a positive way.” We are shown proof in the long shot of mutant children running across a field clearly enjoying themselves. We then cut to a medium shot of a woman using her powers trying to heal a man lied in what could be a hospital bed as the room is coloured in pale blues and whites which connote the calm colours of hospitals. There is then a title plate of a large floating metal looking ‘X.’ As the film title is X-men this is here to remind the audience of the film title and to keep it stuck in their heads as the purpose of the trailer is to advertise the film to the viewer. We here a non-diegetic voice say, “a war is brewing between the mutants and the rest of humanity,” while seeing a montage of clips suggesting the conflict between mutants. The trailer cuts to a close up of a strange man who appears to be jelly-like rising out of the sea. The trailer also cuts to a fancy ball full of people who appear to be rich as they are all dressed in smart suits and gowns; this is shown under chiaroscuro lighting suggesting the place is in trouble. More title plates are shown such as words saying “trust few,” creating more confusion to who are the good and bad characters as the montage appears to be suggesting some mutants are bad and some are good. More title plates then appear with each mutant character’s name in big metallic lettering, after each a short clip of the person in action is shown. “Wolverine” is shown first suggesting he may be the main character, plus he is played by a famous actor Hugh Jackman making him stand out more as many of the audience may recognise him. Finally there is a last very fast paced montage of action, just before it we cut to a mutant speaking diegetically, “hold on to something” before we are taken into the montage, this is very effective because it is as though she is telling the viewer to prepare themselves for all the action that takes place in the film. The non-diegetic music becomes very dramatic and high pitched. In the montage there is a long shot from above of Xavier lied on the floor, this grabs our attention as we originally thought he was a powerful character. The montage ends on an extreme close up of an eye and then cuts to Xavier’s serious expression. We cut to another title plate saying “X-men,” in the bold metallic lettering; this is shown at the end to make sure the viewer will definitely not forget. The dramatic music is held on a high note here to create extra drama. Finally we cut to close ups on the two older powerful men’s faces, Xavier says “don’t give up on them when mankind are involved” in which the other character diegetically replies, “not anymore.” This is a very dramatic end as it is suggested that the character is going get mankind uninvolved which could suggest murdering all of them. We then cut to a final title plate giving the date the film is released to give extra emphasis on the audience to view the film.