Magazine Analysis x3

Trick 'r Treat Film Poster Analysis

Trick ‘r Treat is an American comedy/horror/thriller written and directed by Michael Dougherty in 2007. The main image is of one of the killers in the film that appears to be a young child. The idea of a child is usually cute and adorable, but in this context, with a sack mask and bloody clothes the stereotype of a young kid is done away with and replaced with a horrible looking child that makes a viewer feel very surreal making it stick in their mind. The lollipop that the killer is holding signifies Halloween and trick or treating which is the whole concept of the movie. It has a bite out of it which subtly hints at violence and the fact that it is a pumpkin symbolises Halloween which is already made clear by the title of the movie. The background of the image is very plain with a few blood stains to make it simple but effective. Also as the post goes up in gradually gets darker to the point where half of the killers face is shrouded in darkness which gives it that mysterious and uneasy feel that every good horror movie needs. The colour of the title is in fluorescent/neon red making it stand out and easily readable over the dull, gloomy background. This is contrasting to the dark, empty look of the killer above which creates an intense, edgy vibe which is sure to keep the viewer remember the poster. The font used is an old, and is not formal and equal size, but instead is messy and crooked emphasising the uneasy feel and sense of danger the poster gives off. The tagline of the film on the poster is ‘Poison, drowning, claw or knife, so many ways to take a life’. This is a very effective tagline as it takes advantage of the child killer and the child stereotype as a whole. It’s normal to relate a peaceful, jolly little rhyme with a young child that parents and other people will find cute and adorable, and this is played with in the poster. Instead of the happy, funny rhyme it is replaced with a sinister, evil one that jokes about murder and sends chills down the viewers’ spine. Based on the poster, I would say the target audience is aimed at Halloween fans who love a jump or two. The age range would most likely be between 15 and 25 as you need to be at a certain age to understand the concept of the movie. Also the target also has to be open minded and have a sinister to side to appreciate the uneasy looking view on a child and not be offended by it.

Jeepers Creepers Film Poster Analysis

Jeepers Creepers is an American Horror/mystery film written and directed by Victor Salva in 2001. The movies name comes from the 1938 song “Jeepers Creepers” which is used in the film and has also become iconic to the film.

The main image is of the killer’s figures outline but is in shadow so the identity is hidden. The figure is fairly central and is the darkest tone on the poster causing it to dominate the poster and be eye catching. The outline of the figure makes it clear that they are wearing an old coat and wearing an old hat showing that they are from the past or another place altogether. The weapon is a dated war axe emphasizing the past. They are in a threatening stance that signifies power. The dominant color in the poster is a yellowy green that represents mystery and danger. It gives off a haunting vibe and the moon in the top right signifies that it is in the dead of night. There is an old tree and worn fence in the background highlighting a field and therefore an isolated setting for the movie. There is also a close up of the killers face. It isn't made clear what they are but still shows their unusual features which are enough to make the viewer feel uneasy and wonder. The font used is scruffy and worn, highlighting that it is old and mysterious which fits in with the horror genre nicely. The tagline of the film on this poster is ‘what’s eating you?’ This makes it clear that the killer eats/consumes his victims instead of just murdering them and leaving the body. Also instead of the word ‘who’ which would mean the killer is a cannibal, the word ‘what’s’ is used, highlighting the fact that the murderer is not human. The tagline is also a question, which is very direct to the reader, and makes them wonder and therefore remember it. From what the poster shows I would say the target audience is for sci-fi fans due to the non-human killer and people who like gore due to the consumption of victims hinted at.

Friday The 13th Film Poster Analysis

Friday the 13^th is an American Horror franchise that includes movies, TV series comic books and novels. This is a new updated version made in 2009 and directed by Marcus Nispel. The main image is of Jason Voorhees the well-known killer of the franchise. He is in a threatening stance and is dominant in the poster taking up the majority of it and being very central. They are shot at a front on view so you acknowledge the power he has. The killer is also wearing his signature hockey mask that has become iconic to the franchise. These days it’s not often that you’ll come across someone who doesn't associate the iconic mask with this franchise or at least fear. It has become a very intimidating mask for anyone to wear. It covers the killers face hiding his identity and adding fear and threat to his victims, and also he is holding his weapon of choice, a rusty old sword/machete that adds even more fear to the viewer. Also included in the image, in the background are the trees of a forest, setting the scene in the well-known Crystal Lake. There is also moonlight shining through the trees and lighting up part of the killers face. This can be seen as a sense of hope for the victims, that they make it through the terrible ordeal they are unknowingly walking into and escape. Due to the location being in a forest at a lake, you know it’s going to be an isolated area where the victims are hopeless.