RESEARCH: Expendables trailer analysis

Codes and Conventions of Action Genre:

·       12/15 certificate, maximising youth audiences

·       Often hybridised with Sci Fi/Adventure/Romance

·       Major Hollywood studio produced and distributed

·       High production values including CGI FX. Fast paced editing

·       Classic Hollywood 3 act narrative structure

·       Predictable chain of events – cause and effect

·       Single stranded, linear, closed narrative

·       Dramatic non-diegetic sound

·       More narrative action codes than enigma codes

·       Clear binary oppositions

·       Star Marketing: Audience identification/expectations (Cruise/Pitt/Willis/Thurman/Jolie/Stallone/Craig/SchwarzeneggeDi Caprio…). Generic Typecasting and Secondary Persona apply

·       Romantic sub-plot, Humorous dialogue

·       Relationships with new technology (youth audiences)

·       Use of close up/Insert shots/High Key Lighting

·       Dominant representation of gender: male/female action hero. Mulvey’s male gaze and contemporary female gaze can apply

·       Propp’s theories applicable

·       Uses and Gratifications theory can be mapped onto Action Films

Which of these conventions apply to the Expendables trailer?

 

12/15 certificate

The age rating for this movie is 15, showing it’s target audience is aimed at adolescents. The 15 rating connotes that the movie may contain bad language and violence which younger viewers may find distressing but the target audience will enjoy. However, even though the film is a 15 the trailer is suitable for all ages as it shows in the establishing shot a message from filmratings.com to ensure that the following media is appropriate for all ages. This will mean that even though there is an age restriction the film can still appeal to all ages and be advertised in a larger variety of medias.

Major Hollywood studio produced and distributed 

The company Lionsgate distributes the film, and this is recognized just before the action in the trailer starts there is the logo and representation of the company. Lionsgate typically produce films of the same genre as The Expendables, action films, it is a well-known and respected company with high standards and audiences will want to watch the film, as they know that this company produces high quality films.

High production Values including CGI FX. Fast paced editing:

Action films such as this one are expected to have a lot of high production value as their needs to be use of explosives and weapons. This is shown in the trailer and after the first 30 seconds the use of computerised effects are shown with a lot of weapons being used, highlighting the action genre immediately. The trailer uses faced paced editing, following the typical conventions of the action genre, and this is done to show a lot of action however not reveal too much, it is also done as you will not want to look away in case you miss something- hooking in the audience.

Predictable chain of events – cause and effect

The voiceover in the trailer helps to understand the events happening as the editing is to quick to follow a narrative; this reflects Todorov’s theory. It is also to identify the anti-heroes and the protagonists so this then means there will be some disruption as shown in the trailer, fighting and explosions.

Dramatic non-diegetic sound

There is use of a voiceover throughout the trailer is non-diegetic, which helps to develop the storyline along with some slow music and creates and edgy era to the story. There is also music towards the end of the trailer, which is the theme song and it makes the trailer interesting. There are also diegetic sounds such as gunshots and explosions that add to the drama of the action genre.

More narrative action codes than enigma codes

The typical action genre does not include much enigma, and this trailer follows that convention. The trailer is simple and talked through by the voiceover, which does not leave any enigma, just the brief storyline.

Clear binary oppositions

Damsel in distress

Binary opposites are shown within the trailer as it follows Levi Strauss’ binary opposites theory of good vs evil. They have used the modern day problem of terrorism and made the protagonists look like anti-heros due to their use of weapons in the trailer and them looking un official (not in army uniform), however it becomes clear by watching the trailer this is not the case and that the role of the enemy (the anti-heros) who are an army are actually a gang that have captured a women and the protagonists are trying to rescue. The use of binary opposites gives realism to the trailer as the audience can feel connected to the film and this also gains excitement to watch the actual film.

The anti-heros

Two of the five hero's

 Star Marketing: Audience identification/expectations 

This is an iconic film with high production values and therefore this means that there are also a number of iconic actors included. This can be seen from the trailer, as they are all protagonists. Having iconic stars appeals to a larger audience as these actors may be known for being in good films and also have a fan base which means people will be excited to see the film. Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone who stared in Rocky is an icon as well as Arnold Schwarzenegger who is known for being in the film Terminator is also an icon and this makes the expectations of the film much vaster as well as the target audience.

Romantic sub-plot and humorous dialogue

In the trailer there is some humor as there is comedy between the group when they say they are a group of ‘4 and a half men,’ and there is also comedy within the romantic sub-plot as the male character and female. There is a lot of humorous dialogue between the characters and this is shown through the trailer and is bait to the audience as the action is relaxed to an extent.

Relationships with new technology (youth audiences)

The new technology used is amongst the weapons used such as guns and knives. Also, the use of laptops and cctv appeals to the audiences as it is realistic to an extent as it is not to far fetched. 

Use of close up/Insert shots/High Key Lighting

In this trailer there are a lot of close ups on the characters and props such as clothing, bikes and weapons. This allowed the audience to identify the main characters and identify the weapons in use. This also did not give too much away so this means that there is some enigma of what else is going on in the actual film. The high key lighting helps intensify the explosions, gunshots and the most extreme moments as well as some low key lighting in other moments such as when they are spying.

Dominant representation of gender: male

There is only one female shown in the trailer and she is shown to be the ‘damsel in distress’ as she is vulnerable and gets captured. This means that the male gender is so dominant as they are shown to be strong and brave as they are on a mission to rescue this woman, overall the males are shown to be the hero’s and definitely dominant.

Mulvey’s male gaze and contemporary female gaze can apply

The only female in The trailer is used as a ‘sex symbol’ as the film is aimed at a male target audience.

Propp’s theories applicable

Propp’s theory is applicable however it is opposed in some ways, as there is more than one hero and more than one anti-hero. The villians are shown to be capturing the damsel in distress and this gives the scope of 5 hero’s that the audience can enjoy watching rescue her.

Uses and Gratifications theory can be mapped onto Action Films

The trailer shows a lot of escapism from the real world, as a lot of this does not happen in the real world. There are explosives and gunshots that meet the uses and gratification theory.