FILM POSTER ANALYSIS

The main colours used in this poster are; blue and green, these colours are unisex and so this tells you the film is aimed at both male and female audiences. Blue is said to resemble intelligence, hence Matilda (the main character in the film) being very smart and overcoming the adults who are against her. The colour blue also connotes authority, as shown by the variety of adults on the poster, foreshadowing a possible uprising against the adults. Green represents youth and harmony. This tells you the film will probably have a happy ending overall. As well as this, the girl looks happy and it can be suggested the film is quite cheeky and fun. The symbols used in the poster are; a globe and books which are represented photographically, this suggests this could be based in a school, and is based on knowledge, or wanting to be smart. These symbols are easy to understand and child friendly. Again, this poster is very visual, however there is a lot more going on, this is to fascinate the audience and give them lot's to look at and keep them interested. Also children like to look at things and ask their parents what something is and why its there and so they would be educated by them, however children are also very imaginative and so are open to interpretation and can imagine what they wish. It gives them the opportunity to be open minded and put their own story together, making them want to go and see the film. As well as this, the film is also a children's book so many children and adults would have some knowledge of the film anyway, also the author Roald Dahl is very popular with children and in schools so people going to watch the film is guaranteed. The messages in the poster are primarily visual however there is some text, "somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world". This message gives children hope and delivers a nice message to the audience teaching children that even they can make a difference and do something if they believe in it, making adults more likely to take their children to see it. Also this relates to the globe in the top right corner, this tells us this is a big part of the film, that the film is about a young girl who makes a difference for the good. As the poster is fun and based on a children's book it is obvious that it is aimed at children and families as many parents would have read the children this book themselves. The persuasive techniques used here are making the poster relate to the audience as much as possible as all children are surrounded by adults and go to school, as well as this it has high artistic value and many children who enjoyed the book and/or film would purchase the poster to keep in their bedroom, especially Roald Dahl fans. You may also find it in schools and libraries in DVD sections alongside the books. As this poster has an inspirational quote, parents may want to let their children see it to inspire them and teach them lessons, or just to have a bit of fun with the family, it's the perfect film. Also, actors names such as Danny DeVito are used to spark an interest in adults who may already be familiar with them and so know the film would be good if it starred certain people. Matilda has many genres; children's literature, humour and fantasy. the humour is shown through the child having one over on the adults and defeating them and their juvenile ways, this is portrayed in the poster by the girl being the larger dominant figure and in the center of the poster, smirking showing she is the main character and the happy/smug look tells us that she 'wins'. No critics are used as children wouldn't understand the purpose of them and be much more interested in the visual representation of the poster than the actual words. Also having read the book, many people would know how it ends or be able to express their opinion to those who haven't already. As well as this, children could be encouraged to read more and so might borrow the book to fit in with everyone else talking about it. Having a child be the main attraction on the poster would get the children's attention as they know they would relate to it and possibly enjoy the film, for example there are children on cbeebies etc so they would have an idea of what kind of fun stuff would happen in the film.

The poster tells us that the film may be based in a real life scenarios and real life settings e.g school, with real adults and school life for example classes. There is no sign of animations or another world and so this film is maybe for children older than 6, who can read. The poster gives you a lot of information about what to expect so that the children are not surprised and it doesn't deceive them, it gives them the opportunity to make up their own ideas and stays child friendly. This poster is likely to be placed in schools and children's libraries as previously stated, also in cinemas and maybe buses so when children are mobile with their parents they can see them.

I believe this poster may be very effective for children as it would stand out to them among others in many ways. It has all the right elements to show that its unisex and for children to enjoy as well as the whole family. Its message is very clear through the use of imagery with the help of little text and so is not hard to understand. Its not scary or too baby-ish and so is perfect at targeting its age group. I think the poster is straight forward and there are no mixed messages from it, also it is not offensive in anyway.