As in ‘Spiderman’ the clips in ‘Lord of the Rings’ start off slowly. Showing a peaceful middle earth with Gandalf’s wagon slowly riding through a quiet little town. But then the speed of the clips starts to go up with scenes of destruction taking over and people running around everywhere in a mad frenzy trying to escape. It uses many of the same techniques as ‘Spiderman’ with bright flashes and flames showing the action genre of the film. It is easy to see how the two action films are portrayed using the same methods and techniques laid out in a similar way for similar films. The trailer helps to promote the film to all audiences, those who have read the book and to those who just want to watch it for the action and excitement.
‘James Bond’ is another action film similar to the other two, but it is different in many ways. ‘Bond’ is a genre in itself. It doesn’t have to grab the attention of the viewer like ordinary films it already has it. Any ’Bond’ film has the attention of everyone as soon as it is released. Yet it still has to be enticing but simply by confirming people’s expectations of a bond film. The opening clip of the trailer is of an apparent sea but it then turns into the bodies of women. One of the main things that are considered necessary in all ’Bond’ films. As they are a typical part this helps to reassure the viewer that this is a true ’Bond’ film. Clips of Bond through a gun of ice, as it fires and the bullet explodes out of it. Firstly it sends a cold sudden shock down the audiences’ spine, awakening them and making them alert to everything from then on. This is good advertising because it also creates an eerie feeling of suspense again making the viewer watch everything from then on. As the gun fires the clips change to quick clips of exciting action scenes from throughout the film. Clips of action reassure the audience that this ‘Bond’ film will have just as much action and excitement as any other ‘Bond’ film. The clips in the trailer have been joined in a way so that they drastic quick scene changes are rapid and fluent. They are separated with short black frames to give a definite end to each scene. Then the ice gun reappears and a silhouette of a woman blows the smoke away and it transforms into the title graphics. The director uses this to end the trailer because it gives a definite end, with the bullet being shot. And it symbolises the essence of ‘Bond’ with a woman blowing it away.
The voices heard in the three trailers used are quiet different, creating different effects each suited for the individual trailer. In ‘Lord of the Rings’ the main voice heard is of Gandalf talking virtually in a voice-over form, slow and descriptive. Talking of the evil and destruction that will take place if the mission fails. It creates a feeling f tension and suspense in the viewer saying what could happen yet not giving away the ending for those who have not read the book. It also has a few memorable line from the book such as “if you want him come and claim him!” by Arwen. And “You shall not pass” by Gandalf. This creates an impact into the viewer because it makes them wonder what these lines mean in the entire context of the film because that is not given only the lines themselves.
In ‘Spiderman’ there isn’t a voice over. They use the voices of the characters on screen, which works well in the trailer. So it doesn’t tell the plot away but enhances what is seen on the screen. Very much American voices, appealing to that market. In contrast to ‘Lord of the Rings’ this trailer tries to explain what is being seen t that moment in the trailer whereas in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ it says what could happen.
‘James Bond’ is different again; here it contains a voice-over of an English male as opposed to the voices of the characters. The voice is eerie and chilling to listen to, putting further emphasis on the ice theme of the film. He talks of danger and how people like ‘Bond’ who live each day as they’re last living each to its full potential never knowing if the next one might not come. This creates a feeling of excitement and tension because it makes us wonder whether this is the final ’Bond’ film and that we will never have the enjoyment of watching another. Making the audience really eager to see the film. The voice-over ends as the gunfire’s.
The music in the ’James Bond’ trailer is consistent throughout. After the dark introduction, it is the original theme tune for ’Bond’ on electric guitars played by Oakefield. This helps to portray the common typical conventions of a ’Bond’ film, and it is used successfully to promote this film.
In ’Spiderman’ the music is a strong, loud action tune that is constantly increasing in tempo throughout the trailer continuously through to the end. This music helps to portray the fast pace action theme on screen.
Whereas in ’Lord of the Rings’ the music starts off slow like the others but is not an action track like the others. It is very slow. It is a resonating, dramatic type tune that is really noticed at the start, but carefully and sutily, unlike the others it builds up in volume and tempo until it is really loud and standing out and shocks the viewer because they didn’t see it coming. Essentially standing out from the rest of the trailer and making an impression on the watcher that is a film not to be missed. The music is used to great effect on this to advertise this in a really good way that works.
In ’James Bond’ the only language that appears on screen is at the end. The words ’Pierce Brosnan’ break through the picture. They are an icy cold style of writing in white with a pitch-black backdrop. Then ‘Die Another Day’ appears in the same style. Suddenly the barrel of the gun surrounds the writing. Then as the smoke is being blown away it turns into icy cold words ‘Coming Soon’. These are over a black background creating a final eerie feeling.
The text on ‘Spiderman’ is of the same icy cold feeling, again at the end of the trailer. The blue letters ‘Spiderman, Coming Soon’. swing onto the screen. Very quick and impressive onto the viewer but is quickly gone ending the trailer, leaving a lasting impression of the theme of the trailer and film.
The title graphics in ‘Lord of the Rings’ is very different from the other two. The text pops up throughout the trailer. It is a very bold, gold text using short phrases and hints of the plot, “Fate has Chosen him,” suggesting that he was meant to get the ring, that it is his destiny. “Fellowship will protect him”, what the entire film is about. Hinting at the plot of the film. “Evil will Hunt Him!” Explaining what was going on with the screams and explosions on screen.
Overall I think all the trailers do really well to promote each of the films. They all use a variety of techniques to show good aspects of the films. Most of the trailers use the same techniques in this genre but they are all used to promote each film in a way that suits it. I think that the ‘James Bond’ trailer is the best at making the film appeal to the viewer. And even though ‘Lord of the Rings’ is my favourite film. I feel that ‘James Bond’ was much better at promoting the film, which after all is what it was made to do.
