Background Image – Media Language:
Setting of the DVD cover is an urban setting with huge building behind the four superheroes. The urban setting connotes that the produces wanted the audience to be familiarised with the setting. Thus the film has a blend of normal and supernormal. With buildings and skyscrapers as normal while supernatural powers represent the futuristic aspect of the movie theme. The denotation of the background colour is orange with a mixture of red and brown. They connote the colours of a sunset, showing us that the characters are associated with light. This therefore leads us to believe that they are good and superheroes and not malevolent villains. In relation to the sunset we see that even though the sun comes down properly in the end but during the day there is violence and evil all around. So like this we see that there will be a happy ending but the heroes will be faced with many obstacles before all is good. Strauss’ Binary opposition can be seen in the colours which have been used. The fire colours denote power, strength and a good light for the people; however it could also denote danger and violent evil villains. The black tall building with the crystal windows may also represent a contrast between evil and good. Evil would be the tall black building while the crystal windows would represent good. The background image shows us the mise-en-scene of the film thus giving us a rough idea about the setting for the film.
Central Image – Narrative and Genre:
Central image on the cover of the DVD is that of the four characters. The main focus shot of them tells us that they are central to the plot. Keeping in mind Propp’s character roles we understand the four characters to be the heroes. These heroes seem to be from the pages of a comic book, which relates to the genre of the movie. Which implies that it is has a comic book storyline with a unrealistic but a fantasy genre because of the superhuman abilities the characters seem to possess. The connation of the heroes’ body language and pose seems to tell us that the movie has a action genre. Now for the narrative part. Todorov’s theory of a three-part-narrative has been put into practise here.
- Equilibrium – At the starting of the movie the world is a peaceful place where there are no superheroes and villains. The cover shows that these heroes may at one time have been just normal humans but some genetic mutation gave them superhuman powers.
- Disequilibrium – When the superheroes get their powers and come to use them a villain threatens to take over the world so the superheroes have to come to the rescue.
- New Equilibrium – The superheroes save the day using their supernatural powers.
Levi-Staus’ Binary opposition theory is used in this movie. This is because we get an idea that maybe the good i.e. the superheroes will go against the evil villains to save the day.
The spine of the cover:
The spine of the cover includes –
- The title of the film “Fantastic 4”
- The age restriction “PG” symbol is there to show what age it is suitable for.
- The production logo “Fox”
- The “DVD” symbol. It shows what type of format the movie is in.
Director and Actor Information:
Lack of names on the front cover of the DVD is there in order to keep the viewers attention focused on the image. Thus the picture is the dominant feature of the cover. Names of the main actors, actresses and director have been mentioned on the back cover of the DVD. Names of famous actors and actresses are not needed to sell the film as the name “Fantastic 4” sells the film by itself, as the title is widely recognized from its comic book days. It is quite uncalled for to include actor names to impress people by the cast as this popular comic cartoon has been around for so long. This movie appeals to both genders of the audience as the cast is both female and male. The institution is the 20th Century Fox. Through this movie Fox is represented as a exciting company which has done an excellent amalgamation of the traditional elements of a comic book with a modern day feel.
Typography – Title:
The cover denotes that the text font is in a bold and silvery metallic colour. The font is bold with each character set apart in capital letters. The bold font connotes that the movie is going to be very straight forward with everything quite simple. It also connotes that it would be an action film with a fast paced storyline and tons of action. The action part connotes that it would be a masculine move. The silvery metallic colour of the title is often associated with the future and unrealism. This connotes that the movie maybe be set in a fantasy environment with futuristic gadgets. It also connotes that fictional things might happen in the movie. The font colour represents lots of action and excitement and also something and quite out of the ordinary. The title of the film is “Fantastic 4” and is named after the protagonist i.e. the main character around whom the films plot revolves around. The title uses alliteration which the audience will remember easily as it is something catchy and quick. The style and font could be a exact replica of the comic book style font that has been around for years that people know about it and recognise it.
The technical bit:
These features are specific to a DVD cover:
- The age rating – the movie is rated PG. This tells us that nobody under the age of 12 can view this movie without parental guidance. It also gives us the reason behind the given age rating: “moderate fantasy, violence and sex references”
- The sign in red and yellow is there to tell that this movie is not for rental and can only be viewed after buying.
- The running time – approximately 101 minutes.
- Language – English for a 5.1 Dolby Digital. There is also commentary of the movie,
- Main feature – Subtitles in English for the hearing impaired
- Bar code – A bar code is there to show that this DVD is a original and not a pirated copy.
Convention of a DVD cover – Plot summary:
The summary explains the plot of the film briefly and in chronological order. It also gives the names of the actors playing the main characters in the movie are mentioned in the brief plot summary. The summary used dramatic language and over exaggerated descriptions of the characters and their situations in order to draw the reader’s attention and make them want to watch it. The plot summary uses hyperbole (over-dramatic) language and over the top verbs. Usually included are rhetorical questions that are put at the very end of the summary to be used as a cliff hanger and make sure you are in anticipation of what will happen and want to know more. The plot is mostly followed by a quote from somebody that has reviewed the film. The comment is always positive and higher the reputations of the person giving the quote the more the people are impressed. Next to the film plot are a series of pictures from the film that are used to draw interest.
