Action Trailer Analysis: The Maze Runner

Action Trailer Analysis

The Maze Runner

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 film is targeted at teenagers and it also already has an established fan base because it’s based on the bestselling novel.

There first scene introduces a frightened boy inside an elevator by using a medium shot, there is low-key lighting suggesting that he’s going to end up in a mysterious location. There is a voiceover “can you tell me something about yourself?” “Where you are.. came from?” this is used to make the audience curious about the main character as the question aren’t replied instead the screen fades showing the boy struggling to stand up, showing how vulnerable he is. There is a close up of the wired elevator which shows that it’s speeding up as he’s going to arrive to the location, the camera returns back to the boy who falls on the floor and there is red light that connotes danger. He dressed in dirty clothing and has dirt on his face implying that something may have happened to him before he was put in the elevator. There is diegetic sound of the elevator speeding up as the non-diegetic sound increases to create a tension, which then stops as the screen fades black. There is a voiceover “can you tell me your name?” to this the boy replies, “I can’t remember anything.” The camera is in a low angles shot to suggest that he’s weak then the camera shows the boy’s perspective, which shows a door opening, and other characters are introduced. It switches back to the main protagonist as he covers him eyes from the bright lighting then the other boy jumps in, we can see the terrified expression of the protagonist as he’s cornered. There is diegetic noise of the elevator squeak when the new character enters the elevator to give it a realistic effect.  There is shot reverse shot used as the boy speaks to the main protagonist as he calls him by his nickname, this scene is accompanied by an intense music, the main protagonist is then taken up by him collar showing that the boy is more dominant suggesting that he’s a leader. 

The next scene is a medium shot of the boy as he looks on curiously, the camera pans 180 mid shot around him, which also reveals the maze implying that they’re trapped; there is non-diegetic sound, which increases as the location is being revealed. The camera then zooms out into a long shot that shows how insignificant the main protagonist looks compared to the maze suggesting that the plot is going to be him solving how to get out of the maze. There diegetic music stops then there is a voice over “where is this place” revealing that it’s the main protagonists voice then the screen turns black then a medium over the shoulder shot presents another character that answers his question “welcome to the glade.” The distribution company shows that they’re promoting the film however there is a dramatic tense music to create suspense.

There is a long shot showing the characters working hard to build on the empty land suggesting that they must work as a team to survive, there is a voice over of the main protagonist “ who put us here?” then the same man replies “ we don’t know”. The audience may not know much about the protagonist at this point because only his appearance is revealed so it may be harder for them to sympathies with the character but in the other hand it’s makes them curious as they want to know what’s happening. The dramatic non-diegetic sound is still on going to create a tense atmosphere and in the beginning there is high key lighting used to show the setting. The main protagonist goes to see the entrance of the maze showing his curiosity “what’s through there” then it shows the inside of the maze from his perspective, there is low key lighting creating an enigma as the location is unknown giving it an eerie feel. The camera switches to a long shot showing the leader pushing him indicating that it’s restricted then the rest of the boys come along, the audience can see the frustration on the protagonists face as he aggressively shouts “you can’t keep me here” to this the man shouts “I can’t let you leave” this indicates that he’s the one who takes care of the group. He then asks “why won’t you tell me what’s in there” the audience could emphasis to this as nothing is being revealed as the group are being secretive. The camera then goes into a medium shot of the leader showing his annoyed face then a loud screech from the maze is heard, the camera zoom into to the protagonist face as his previous question is answered. 

The editing is fast paced as more information about the maze is being told to the main protagonist, there is a long shot which allows the audience to see the size of the maze as the camera pans up. In the next few scene we can see young teen characters, they are wearing dirty clothing and look exhausted. The voiceover explains that when the maze doors open the “runners” has to find the escape route suggesting that they have been trying to escape for a while, they runner look older and experienced. There is non-diegetic music that keeps increasing and creating tension. There is a high angle shot used to show the group’s own model of the maze which indicates that they have an escape plan. The shots keeps flickering revealing different scene, this may cause the audience to panic because the non-diegetic gets loud, as there is a long two shot of the runners trying to make it back however there is a high angle shot of the maze door closing this leaves the audience curious; they have to watch the film to know whether they survived, as they next dialogue says “no one has ever survived a night in the maze” implying how dangerous it is as there is quick scenes of the runner dragging the injured character as the maze door is about to close. The protagonist is discovering more about the maze as the scene switches to the perspective from inside them maze until it’s fully closed. The screen goes dark as a mechanical creature steps into shot, there is diegetic sound that matches to make it seem realistic. There is low-key lighting so the audience can’t see the creature clearly which may make the audience worry about the runners that are trapped inside then the boy reveals the name of the creature “Griever”. In the next scene there is a long shot showing a character being pulled as the boy screams, the non-diegetic sound is intense suggesting that it gets harder for them to survive.

There scene fades into a dark screen then the text appears, this informs the audience that it’s based off a best selling novel to grab their attention. In the next few scene we can see that the group are frustrated as there is a voice over “we don’t belong here” this tells the audience that they’re going to fight for their freedom as they light the fire inferring that they will revolt against those who built the maze and escape. There is a long shot showing that they have all gathered in front of the maze as they hold their weapons. The voice over suggests that the main protagonist is different than others due to his curiosity inferring that it will be him that is able to help save the group and there is quick close up of new material they have found due to the protagonist.

There is a non diegetic heroic music as the group run toward the elevator for the arrival of the new character which turns out to be a female, this is the only female who has appeared so far showing the audience that she may be a great help and the love interest of the main protagonist. They find it unusual as they just stare at her because she’s unconscious, then the camera zooms as she gasps and shots “Thomas” who reveals to the audience the protagonists name. The leader has a problem with Thomas as he talks about how due to his appearance everything has changed which reveals caring side of the leader as they may face more problems. Thomas and the female character interact “we were sent for a reason” inferring their importance to the group. The light changes into low key light showing that it’s night time however the medium shots of the groups face shows that they’re frightened and scared because the maze doors aren’t closing. We can see the panic in their faces as the non-diegetic music builds up “they’re here“ indicating the entrance of the antagonist, this may have been foreshadowed by they leader as changes causes more damage.  In the next few scenes it shows the deaths of the insignificant characters to which Thomas suggests that they must leave to be able to survive as the creatures may return during the night, they all seem desperate. The music builds up again as the main characters decides to go in whilst the maze doors are closing, there are close up shot of him trying hard to get through the gap then the intense music stops. There are action moments of the significant characters, it shows them fighting and running, the editing is super fast to keep the audience at the edge of their seats.