FILM POSTER ANALYSIS

The main colours used in this poster, are blue, which adds an element of mystery, and grey, also gloomy and mysterious, from this we learn that there could be a darkness in this film, hence the dominating male figure on the left hand side in dark clothing. The suitcase in this poster suggests some type of escape or chase, possibly money many characters in films keep money in suitcases. The children running away from the adult in the opposite direction, also suggests a chase and that they are a team as suggested by their body language of holding hands. The adults arms wrapping around the frame suggests that he is trying to catch the children but can not seem to as they keep running away from him. This poster is quite easy to read, this is because it is aimed at young teens. Children are the main characters, this is shown by the children being in the middle of the poster. The poster is quite simple and so young teens would be to be attracted to it, and it's not too difficult for them to decode. It is mainly aimed at ages 12+ as the film was actually originally a book. As well as this, the poster doesn't have colours like red green and yellow which would attract ages 8 and below, and so the film is for a slightly more complex audience, but not too hard to understand for a younger audience. The background of the poster looks like the ocean and the sky, this could be used to foreshadow the journey the children take escaping the evil adult trying to capture them, and the different places they end up. The adult being so large and the children so small represents some kind of authority or power over the children and the children being quite vulnerable, it can also be suggested that they are on their own as there is no nicer looking adult present to try and protect them. The messages in this poster are primarily visual, this is so that it doesn't deter young teens from it, it doesn't bore them and keeps them interested in the poster. Despite the film being based on a book, those too young to read it, or those who do not have an interest in reading would still be interested in the poster due to the lack of words. The poster is not just used to promote the film, is also has an artistic value, hence why it's not just a plain poster, this is because fans like to buy them and hang them up on their walls. The writing "We're very concerned" makes the audience feel like part of the film, the use of "we're" invites the audience into the film as well as adding a sense of escapism. Plus it compliments the eerie background adding to the mystery, intriguing the audience Also this is not too serious and worrying to the audience, its almost as if you read it in a funny voice in your head, adding a comedy element to the film. The "coming soon" piques the audiences interest as well as adding a sense of anticipation, making them excited for the release of the film. Also as the film poster doesn't blatantly give much away it could lead to the audience doing further research and so finding the book, leading to them reading it and becoming more interested in the release of the film. As well as this as the film posters mystery may lead to people asking others if they have seen it and trying to find out what its about, and so more publicity. The genres of this poster are; comedy, family, fantasy and adventure. The comedy is shown by the comical look on the large mans face, suggesting a cheeky smirk but not too evil to be a horror or threatening to the audience, it's unwelcoming and mischievous but not scary enough to put of young teens and below, as well as this the colours are not too dark for example black and so its not off putting. The adventure could be represented through the use of the sky and ocean meeting in the background suggesting that while the children are running away they go on an adventure and have a quest or mission to complete themselves. This adds on to the fantasy element, this is also suggested by the strange clothes the children are wearing, this isn't what children of today would normally wear and so suggests an alternative time period or even world that the children live in, a different way of life or parallel universe, also adding to the sense of escapism it aims to give the audience.The family element is an overall result of all of the genres put together, the comedy of the adults vs. children make it fun for the family to watch all together as they could relate to it, as well as this the film not being scary makes it family friendly, plus the fantasy and adventure keeps both adults and children interested as its suitable for both ages, and parents would like to watch films with their children. It has the right balance of all genres to make it fun for everyone to enjoy. A very well known A list celebrity actor isn't used as a unique selling point for the film, so its possibly more difficult to get viewers, however it can be argued that as the film was originally a book, it would already have a fan base so its not crucial. No critics are used in this specific poster, I believe this is because teens tend to pay less attention to this and also more wording on the poster may put the audience off. There is already text on the poster so more is not necessary, also this adds to the mystery element of the film as nothing is given away.

Due to the man being enlarged making the children look very small, and also the edited sky meets ocean background, it can be guessed that this film may have a lot of animation in it, especially to the scenery, adding to the fantasy and adventure genre. This puts it at the top of childrens/young teens films as it fits all the codes and conventions, other films like this may be Harry Potter, as Hogwarts is animated. This film poster would have been found on buses and at bus stops, also in cinemas to encourage people to go back again and watch another film. This poster would have been one of the first film posters released as hardly any information is shown, no date or actors, in order to create a build up to the film and keep the audience on the edge of their seats waiting to find out more information. As many young people use the bus to get to school and because it's free for them, they are more likely to see it on buses and bus stops so it targets the audience very well, also putting it in actual cinemas would encourage regular cinema users to go back, giving them an idea of whats coming next and to tell their friends about it, as childrens tickets are cheaper than adults, its likely they would return or tell their parents about it.

I believe this poster is effective as I would be intrigued by it, the mystery element could make young teens feel like they're watching an 'older' film. Also it tells you a lot without actually giving much away, and so you're left in suspense wanting to know more. I think it communicates with the audience very well it manages to show all its genres without any text and is very visual making it perfect for its target audience, its more of a mature young teen film but also fun for the family which I think is clearly shown by the images and colours used. The poster could be seen as offensive to old men with beards as the man is portrayed as scary, this could lead to a bad reputation or fear in younger children who do not understand, however this is just a stereotype. Also, this adds to the character of the man and so going against these characteristics would not have the same effect.