Action Trailer Analysis: Lucy

Action Trailer Analysis

Lucy

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 all age range. The distribution company is “Universal” suggest to the audience that it’s a good quality film as it’s a well know film company. There is a non-diegetic sound which is continuous as there is an extreme close up of the main protagonist eyes then it zooms out showing that she’s regaining conscience, she look like she’s in pain as there is a wound on her lip. The non-diegetic high pitch vocal as she has flashbacks about the day before, there is a mid-shot showing that she was partying; this is stereotypical as she’s a young adult. It switches to a long shot of her on the bed, half undressed this could suggest that due to the alcohol she could have been taken advantage of or kidnapped as she isn’t familiar with the room then she’s gets thrown her clothes then there is a close up of medical equipment which suggests to the audience that they may have removed something. There is a close-up of her wound wrapped up as there is a voice over “what did you do to my stomach” which reveals to the audience that it was done without her consent implying that she got kidnapped because her voice seems like she’s confused in the situation she’s in.

She’s out the room suddenly the non-diegetic sound intensifies, the medium shot shows that she encounters someone as we can see the fear on her face. The camera changes to a low medium shot of her being dragged by 2 men; this implies that she may encounter the antagonist. There is a close of a man, his appearance suggests that he’s a villain then a close up of the protagonist is shown as she begins to breakdown “what’s going on?” this subverts the stereotypical female protagonist because normally they’re independent and strong. The screen fades white then the next scene shows her being escorted to the lift by the bodyguards, we can see the panic on her face as the door closes suggests that something bad is going to happen to her. The audience begins to sympathies with the protagonist, as she’s unable to escape from the high security suggesting that she’s a valuable person.

The door opens revealing another location, which may belong to the antagonist because from a long shot we can see a figure sitting down. The bodyguards throws her into the room, there is a voice over suggesting that they received the new package as it was placed in her lower stomach which shows why she’s valuable. There is a close up of the package which shows a blue substance which implies that it may be drugs, there is a mid-shot which and entrance of another character who explains to her about what happened so the audience know what event occurred before she regained her conscience in the beginning of the trailer.  They reveal a new mission to her where she has to transport something that is unknown to the audience; there is a close up of her passport showing that she’s going to America then the screen goes black as they put cloth over her head, this allows the audience to see from her perspective as we’re clueless to what’s happening. Then an extreme close up of her eyes showing that she’s awake, there is low key lighting with red and blue tint which connotes danger and evil. We are able to see from her perspective however there is limited vision as we can see some parts though the holes in the cloth, then a close up of lips showing that she’s nervous.

Suddenly the cloth is removed, we can see that she’s trapped then a close up of the man looking at her lustfully, then camera pans down show the man’s hand trying to pull her shirt however a medium shot shows her pushing however it’s not effective. This shows that she’s not a damsel in distress as she fights from getting taken advantage of.  The close up of the same man trying to pull on the shirt seems annoyed then the camera zooms out, he punches her. There is a tense music that accompanies the scene and it’s effective in creating suspense, the screen goes black implying that it could be from the protagonists perspective as she could be unconscious from the punch. In the next few scenes we can see the man violently abusing her by kicking her, this conforms the main villain because in the beginning they’re move dominant. The close up of her face shows the audience that she’s is in intense pain then the camera zooms in showing the effect of the kick inside of her, which triggers her fits as she begins to shake as everything has changes.

The intense music enters which accompanies the scene of an extreme close up of her however this time something has changed because her eye color changes into different patterns and colors every time she blink revealing her super powers to the audience. The camera pans up 90 degrees right to show the protagonist sitting upright, we can see that the kick has changed her because she was beaten badly but she seems alright now, her stare suggest that she has no emotion. Then there is a diegetic noise of the door opening; a close up of the protagonist eyes diverting to the doors implying that she’s waiting. A long shows a man enter but her body language suggests that she has confidence, she lure the man by smirking at his, the man seems to want to take advantage of her as he gets closer nevertheless she attacks him, she then quickly grabs the gun and shoots. There is a long shot to show that she’s still in Taipei then a long shot shows her asking the taxi drive whether they spoke English however she shoots one driver who replies no, this shows the audience her confidence as she’s not vulnerable. She asks to be taken to the hospital and barges in to remove the bag of drugs inside of her.

There is a long shot of buildings suggesting that she arrived in America, the camera withes to a medium shot that shows her driving as there is a voice over an older man, which gives statistics “human use only use 10 percent of brains capacity” this links to the main protagonist who uses more which makes her the heroine of this film. The camera tracks the back of the protagonists van show her dodging a car that would of hit her if it wasn’t for her new ability. As the older man continues to talk about “brain capacity” it flashes back to the main protagonist. The non-diegetic music builds up to emphasis the tension. The old man and the protagonist get in contact, we discover both of the names Professor Norman and Lucy. The audience will know get to know the main protagonist in detail. The audience can see the difference of her character now that she’s tough and powerful. The audience finds that professor Norman’s finding on the human brain is on the right track implying that she could be a good use.

There are couple of shots which shows off her knowledge and powers which will make the audience curious about how she will used it, the special effect is very effective as it makes it realistic which allows the audience to enter that setting. There are various shot, which includes stunts and action implying that it’s a good quality film. There are various camera shots used to emphasis every action so it can have an impact on the audience. This trailer includes majority of the codes and convention of an action trailer, as there are explosions, use of weapons and it’s set in exotic places. There are mostly diegetic sound used for gun and explosion to make it realistic as possible. The audience finds that due to her powers it’s taking away everything that makes her human which may make the audience sympathizes. Finally there are titles of the casts which is large in bold and stands out from the background.