Taken 2 analysis

I have decided to analyse the trailer and film poster of 'Taken 2' because it comes under the genre thriller drama, with conventions of action and crime. By analysing films that have the same or similar genre to ours it will give us the inspiration we need and ensure that we are including the best conventions of this genre to make our film/teaser trailer as successful as possible.

Who directed it? Olivier Megaton

When was it released? 2012

Are there any big stars in it? Liam Neeson with Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace (reoccurring stars)

What conventions of the genre are included? Adrenaline, action, emotion, death, fear, the unknown and emotion.

 This is one of many main film posters for this film, I specifically chose this one to analyse because the image really captured me. The way half of Liam Neeson is covered by this type of  black silhouette creates a really intriguing affect, it contrasts with the light side of him which slightly reflects him as a character. Due to this contrast in colours causes the audience start to believe that there is this unpredictable dark side to him but it is softened and justified by the other side of him which is caring and produces a explanation for his actions. Also the way he is sat with the gun in his hands indicates that he knows what he is doing and therefore he may not actually be the antagonist, it is this which will start to intrigue the audience. He is looking away from the camera with a very concentrated, serious expression which causes the audience to believe he has a plan and he will not be defeated. Shells off bullets are on the floor which highlights the gun has been used and more importantly someone might be dead. This is when questions start to arise such as who has he shot? why has he shot them? are they alive? The bullets also hint towards the narrative, they suggest that an obstacle is going to arise, this obstacle somehow will need to be worked around so restoration can be achieved. Dark colours such as grey and black have been used, the connotations of these colours fit right in with the genre as they connote mystery, the unknown, fear and also denote strength and authority which is the type of traits they want to reflect for Liam Neeson's character. The font of the title is big, bold and red, using red for the title of the film has made it stand out against the black, again the connotations fit in with the genre of the film as red connotes blood, death and emotion all features of a thriller drama production. Also Liam Neeson's name is written in a  large font too as he is a huge attraction and selling point, the audience will notice he is in this film and with their previous knowledge of his talent will immediately be drawn in to see this one too now that they know he  is starring in it. Lastly the tag line 'First they took his daughter, now they're coming for him' is capitalised like the rest of the text so it is noticeable, it reminds the audience of previous action that has occurred  slightly exciting them for the action that is left to follow.

           



                             

Taken 2 analysis- to take ideas and incorporate them into our own.

1.       Production logo of 21^st Century Fox.

2.       Establishing shot of antagonist’s territory.

3.       Low camera angle of antagonist- shows Liam Neeson’s opposition, already creating excitement. It causes the audience to start judging the antagonist, summing up whether or not Liam Neeson will be able to stand up against him.

4.       Dialog used from antagonist, utterances such as ‘we will find him, we will have our revenge’ this is all being said while a montage flash back is being used of what Liam Neeson did in the previous film. Diegetic sounds such as gun shots and screaming and shouting are used to run parallel with the action that is being displayed in the flashback. This quickly entices the audience, it is reminding them of the success of the last film by using previous footage but it is also creating a narrative for the new film, building tension.

5.       Establishing shot of the new location is then used, this begins the new narrative for the new film. Non diegetic music is used, it runs parallel as its just like a soft guitar playing in the background.

6.       Medium shot of family talking, this displays an equilibrium. Slowly strong beats of the drum are used every time a new straight cut occurs displaying a new piece of footage, slowly building the narrative.

7.       Lots of straight black cuts are used, then Liam Neeson tells his daughter that his mother is going to be taken.

8.       After he puts the phone down a montage is used, lots of iconography- guns/explosions/chases- all typical conventions, excites the viewer. Diegetic sounds are used creating suspense, as the gun shots and shouts make it seem much more realistic. A non diegetic track is also used in the background, slowly getting faster and faster creating more and more tension. There are constant action codes such as bullets, guns, fire all the iconography needed for a successful action film.

9.       Suddenly the screen goes black, then Liam Neeson’s daughter appears on the screen. She is knelt on the floor, while a man is standing above her pointing a gun at her head. This quickly highlights the difference in power between the two characters, it immediately causes the audience to believe that she has no hope and there is no escape. A good point to make is that after this shot of her, she does not appear in the trailer again, they do not give away whether she made it out alive or not.

10.   Fade transitions are then used between the protagonist and antagonist as they are having a conversation on the phone, this creates suspense as you want to know which one is going to be defeated.

11.   You know then see a medium shot of Liam Neeson, it is close enough to see his facial expression, which is determined and fearless but far enough back to see that he is entering a building. A high pitched non diegetic sound is used and then the screen suddenly black before the audience get to see what is inside, this is an excellent way to draw the audience in, making them want to know what is in there, who is in there and what he is going to find.

12.   Taken 2 then appears on screen, followed by coming soon. Its left the audience at a cliff hanger, really making them want to know more. The trailer has effectively enticed their audience, the perfect reason for them to go and watch the film.