Trailers and Theorists

Written by Emma Taylor 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2)

 to watch the trailer click here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) has strong elements of Binary Oppositions, a theory proposed by Claude-Levi Strauss. The binary oppositions include ‘good vs evil’ (Harry and the Order of the Phoenix, and Voldermort and his Death Eaters). There are also oppositions throughout all of the Harry Potter films as there is ‘Supernatural vs Human’ as there are wizards and witches and also ‘muggles’ who are ‘normal’ human beings without any knowledge of the wizarding world. These oppositions create tension and make a more interesting and thrilling film.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

to watch the trailer click here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1659337/?ref_=nv_sr_1

In the film trailer of The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ only the initial equilibrium and up to and including the disruption is seen, according to Tzvetan Todorov’s equilibrium theory. In film trailers, we only see up to the disruption, because if we saw the revised equilibrium (the ending of the film) this would ruin the film and would be boring for the audience if we knew what happened.

Trance

to watch the trailer click here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1924429/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Trance uses Roland Bathes’ enigma codes quite clearly in the trailer of the psychological thriller ‘Trance’ directed by Danny Boyle. The trailer clearly displays the theme of hypnosis, and tension is created through not knowing the full story of the main character, we only know what the hypnotist is telling us – this is unusual for trailers as we usually hear the voice over from the point of view of the main character. This leaves the audience questioning whether we ourselves are being hypnotised. Enigma and mystery is created through this and leaves the audience wanting to know what has actually happened/ happening.

Shrek

to watch the trailer click here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126029/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Vladimir Propp’s theory that there are certain stereotyped characters in every movie comes from him firstly analysing old folk tails, and states in a film, there are character types that keep reappearing. In the first film of Shrek made in 2001, this is made clear. Shrek- the hero. Lord Faquuad – the villain. The gift giver – the magic mirror. The side-kick – Donkey. The Princess – Princess Fiana and the father figure – King Harold / The dragon defending Fiona.

17 Again

to watch the trailer click here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974661/?ref_=nv_sr_1

In 17 Again, a ‘chick flick’ comedy, John Fiske’s theory of seeing the story and narrative as two separate units is evident. The narrative in the trailer is that Mike re-lives  his childhood, but the story (which we expect to happen) is that Mike finally gets the love of his life back, after ‘re-connecting’ with his life being back to the age of 17.