Action Trailer Analysis: Fantastic Four

Action Trailer Analysis

Fantastic Four

The trailer begins with a green screen; it shows that the film is rated so parental guidance is suggested. This is always shown at the start of the trailer to establish their target audience; the text shows the approval of the age range.

The trailer begins with the distribution company which is accompanied by the non diegetic piano that gives off a melancholy feel then it switches to a logo of Marvel which suggests that they film is based off the comics which implies that they have a target audience who are the readers of the comics, the logo is creative as it flips though like a comic book which gives it a unique look as it zooms out. Then there is a low angle long shot of the location, which may suggest that the plot could be based in this city and the low angle may foreshadow future events. There is an entrance of the voiceover “how did we get this far” this is a rhetorical question, which may leave the audience wondering, the voice seems like a significant character as he question himself which may imply that he’s self reflecting as he’s realized his mistake. The scene fades into a long shot of good scenery as it zooms it to give of a realistic effect. The non-diegetic piano is still continuing as the landscape changes then the voiceover say ”human beings have an immeasurable desire to discover…” as it pans up toward the sky, this quote implies that it’s natural for humans to be curious and discover new things everyday because that how we move forward. The scene switched to a green field as it allows to audience to be affected by the voice over because they’ll be engrossed about what he’s saying due to the simple sceneries. There is a car speeding through the screen then there is a long shot of the camera tracking the car, then the voice over says to “discover” that shows a close up of an experiment as they kids in the background are distorted then it zooms into a medium two shot of one kid who has his ears covered as the other one’s facial expression implies that he’s fearful and scared. The narrator say “ to build” that shows a long shot of a manufacturing building, then zooms in showing the doors closing so the audience are left wondering on what the machinery is. The non diegetic music intensify to give off a dramatic feel as something is likely to change, the screen fades to black as there is silver text which shows that audience that the creator of “Xmen Days of Future Past” is producing the film suggesting that the film will be a good quality as they have worked in previous superhero movies.

It fades into a long shot of a table where there is a large gathering, they look like important people as they’re dressed smartly and they facial expression suggests that they’re discussing about an important matter. There is low key lighting connoting mystery as they voice over suggests “our future depends on us furthering these ideas” this creates suspense because something is going to occur where everything will depend on this idea as it will save the future. The camera moves to an over the shoulders shot as it pans right which shows that idea they’re talking about however it’s not clear to the audience. There are couple moments that show the main protagonists showing then doing their routines as new location are introduced. The voice over which indicates, “Their responsibility rests on their shoulder” to create more tension; the non-diegetic music increases loudly to emphasis the drama. There is a close up of someone dressed in gear, putting on their helmet showing that they’re going on a dangerous mission, the orange lighting connotes bravely, dignity and power as everything relies on them. The camera switches into a long shot showing the four main protagonists who are mentioned on the title “fantastic four” are walking to the same machine, which was foreshadowed earlier in the trailer. They lighting is low-key, highlighting that machine, as everything else is insignificant.  The voice over returns again “with every new discovery” however the camera switches into a close up of an older man who is in charge as he watched. It might be hinted that the narrative voice over belongs to him as he watches over the mission, the camera changes into a long shot showing that the machine has already started. We can see that the special effect used are really good as it gives a realistic effect that allows the audience to believe what occurring in the scene. There are close up of one protagonist in the machine, they close the eyes showing that they’re nervous. There is a quick over the shoulder shot of a significant person who is guarded then the voice says, “There are risks” which is accompanied by shots which shows the protagonists struggling and crawling out of destroyed area.

There is a quick long shot of an airplane, which switches to a close up of the protagonist, as he look back the voice over suggests that scarifies have to be made to save the future. The dramatic music intensifies showing moments of sadness as the female protagonist cries over a death, which is unknown, the audience will be curious which may encourage them to watch the film. There is a consequence, which shows the same city that was foreshadowed earlier as there is a large light, which is distorted as it expands suggesting that it will be destroyed. The pace of the shot begins to get quicker showing the negative effect of discovering and furthering their ideas and the non-diegetic music increases. Low-key lighting is used majority of the time creating sadness then the screen goes dark and the non-diegetic music stops, revealing the title of the film. The titles fades then there is the first dialogue which shows the main protagonist looking over someone as he says “what is coming” then someone replies “the answers” which reveals the four superhero looking up as there is lightning up in the sky revealing the unknown to the audience however it ends with a dramatic sound to leave an impression. Then there is a release date with a hash tag which is a marketing technique to promote the film.