Film Poster Analysis

Film explores the realm of imagination and the science-fiction action thriller film Inception, is an example of how film allows the audience to change their perception of the world in which they live in. the multi-layered plot requires each audience member to think throughout the entire movie. This is a movie that one unclear moment could affect the understanding of the entire movie; therefore it has been made the second best thriller film of all time, earning the gross revenue of $823,576,195.

As Warner Brothers were the distribution company for the successful film, their marketing strategy consisted not of only visual merchandising, and frequently visited websites, viral marketing but also included billboards and word of mouth. The iconic film poster for Inception portrays the illusion of a dream world, connoting the films themes successfully.

The idea of visualising a dream world can be presented through the background image, shown on the poster. The buildings are positioned to slant backwards, as the central road continues to run up the middle of the poster. This could be representative of what is to happen in the film, for example an everlasting journey, and could also symbolise the dream world in which the characters live. The long shot which is used to capture the image is effective, as the characters are positioned at the front of the poster, with the buildings and location in which they are, fading behind them. This could suggest that they are continuing on their journey, as their past life fades away. Although the long shot of the buildings have been edited to formulate a surrealist depiction of a city, the buildings look naturalistic, and therefore the shot looks more realistic; relating to the films narrative. Furthermore, the poster has a blue frame, which darkens the tone of the poster, and suggests that the films narrative is also dark and dangerous. This also adds an element of mystery to the film, increasing the audiences’ attention, making them want to view the film. The blue frame is also a paradigm of thriller films, as it is frequently used to depict the ambiguity and mystery in the narrative.
Another main sign on the poster is the 6 protagonists, featured in the central focus point of the poster. They all portray a tall, dominant stance, which suggests that they are part of a team, and connote danger, and action. This is a generic convention of thriller films, as the action plays an important part in the narrative of them. Furthermore, although all the characters are in a gaze facing the camera, they are not in a position facing another character. This suggests that although they are a team, they have their own identity, which immediately attracts the audiences’ attention, as they are curious as to who each character is, and their role in the storyline of the film.
The protagonist of the film is clearly presented, as he is stood directly in the central focus point of the poster, and is position further towards the camera, as a pose to the other characters. He is wearing a grey and black suite, which suggests that he is an important protagonist, and suites are used as a stereotypical costume of a dominant male character. Furthermore, he is holding a gun, which is a paradigm of the genre thriller, as it is associated with action, and fear. He is also stood at an angle, with half of the characters face shadowed. This could be an insight into the narrative of the film, as it suggests that he is a mysterious character with a split personality, and his controlling stance suggests he is powerful.
The title of the film is positioned in the centre of the poster, below the protagonists. The clear text is presented in capital letters, enabling it to be conspicuous and attract the onlooker. Furthermore, the colour red stands out against the dark background, again making it more prominent to the audience, but also the red and the dark coloured background are paradigms of thriller films. The colour red also connotes danger, which gives the onlooker an insight into the films narrative, and also enables them to see that it is a thriller film. The subtitle featured underneath the film quotes “from the director of the dark knight”, with “dark knight”, being in black, and bold. The onlooker is familiar that “the dark knight”, is an extremely successful blockbuster film, and therefore the expectations of the new film are high. This attracts familiar audiences, enabling the ratings of the film to be high.
Above the title, the poster also features a slogan “your mind is the scene of the crime”. This enables the audience to be associated with the poster, and empathises with the meaning of the quotation. “Your”, speaks directly to the public, which enables the onlooker to immediately feel a connection with the film. Furthermore, it gives an insight into the films narrative, and attracts them into watching the film. The very top of the poster features the infamous actor “Leonardo Dicaprio”, again in capital letters like the title of the film. This engages the audience’s attention, as they are aware that the quality of acting throughout the film will be high, and they may also associate the actor with other successful films, making them want to watch the film.
Finally, at the bottom of the film poster, the text “experience it” is presented, which allows the audience to believe that it is a phenomenon film, which is a must see. By using a quotation which suggests a superlative, this leads the audience to believe that is it primitive to view the film. I believe the film poster is successful, and efficient in selling the film, and attractive audiences, as it uses many paradigms of a thriller film to depict the genre, and stands out against other modern day thriller films.