(Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Trailer Analysis) (sci fi)

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Trailer Analysis

Audience
This trailer is from Star Wars III Revenge of the Sith which is a very popular film because of the franchise and its large following. The first film was made in 1977 and this film was made in 2005, with four other films between the first film till this one. This means that as well as having the original audience it also draws in the younger crowds. It is a film where fathers who saw the original films would take their children to watch the next epic series of these films so this in its self will increase the audience. This film is based on futuristic good verses evil with high quality space chases and advance weapons of destruction.The director George Lucas has directed all of the previous films and has a large fan base on his own, this will encourage people to come and see this film. Lucas films and 20th Centry Fox made this film a 12a because some of the scenes are violent and as you are able to buy the merchandise which could be used in an inappropriate way as weapons.       

Voice overs

During the trailer there are a number of different characters that speak over the scenes and start to give you the two different sides of the story. These voice overs are effective to the audience because it allows them to understand how the story line is going to progress throughout the trailer and the film. The use of the different voice overs tells a certain part of the story in the way in which they see it themselves. These are easy for the audience to hear and are used when there is not a lot of action going on behind the characters so your fall attention is on what is being said at that moment in time.  

Key points
Some key points which will need to be taken when watching the trailer would be the fact that the film takes you back to the begin before the first films in this saga started. So this means that it starts to tell you how the story all began and helps you to understand why some of the characters are the way they are.The trailer shows the torment Anakin Skywalker has knowing that what he has to do will go against all what he has been taught in the Jedi ways. Another key point is that they start not to trust the Chancellor which leads to the destruction of the Jedi's and its long running council. Another key point to this film is that you are able to tell that Dark Vader is in this film because at the end you get to see a small glimpse of him standing which tell the audiences that he is going to have a small part in this film.

Dramatic camera shots and angles
The dramatic shots and angles in this trailer are very effective and well used because it helps to draw the audience into the film and to make them forget about every day life helping them become emerged in the film. In one scene they use a panning shot which follows the destruction of a space craft, this is effective to the audience because it allows them to get a full view of the how powerful the weapons in this film. A close up of a light saber is used in the trailer as this is an important weapon used during these films, this camera shot is effective because it allows the audience to see how something so simple can also be so powerful. A low angel shot is used when the Jedi confront the Chancellor, this is effective because it shows how much power and dominance they think they have over him, which is why the audience is left looking up at them.    

Music to create atmosphere

As from the first films the Star Wars franchise has its own unique sound track, with the use of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, this helps the audience to recognise the films without even having to see any of the trailers. This creates an atmosphere of anticipation because the music is intense and powerful which builds up the excitement for the audience. The music gradually becomes loader and more drastic towards the end to create the sense that something exciting is going to happen in the near future.     

Film titles

The film title was effective for the audience because it was on a black background which made the red writing stand out even more for the audience to read. The bold lettering was filled in with the colour red which suggests that this film is going to be mostly about the dark side of the force because the colour red represents both the danger and violence of the enemy. The trailer also showed the release date of the film which was in white writing which made it easier for the audience to read.

Trailer climax
The climax of the trailer is effective because it shows the audience an image of Darth Vader standing next to The Sith Lord, this is appealing to the audience because it shows that Anakin has fully transformed into Darth Vader which completes the story of him becoming this evil character. You are also able to hear his trademark heavy breathing which is very recognisable for Star Wars fans because it tells them that Darth Vader is near by, this then cuts to a small clip of him standing looking out into the darkness of space. This short clip comes with a short burst of dramatic music which holds the audiences attention because it tells them that this is only the beginning even though its the end of this film.

Mise-en-scene

The film is set in the future which can be easily seen due to the fact that the technology has dramatically improved, we can tell this because of the futuristic spaceships as well as the weapons which are used in the film. The characters in this trailer seem to have a range of different weapons, for example the Jedi's are carrying light sabers which are lights of energy which can cut through most materials. You are also able to see that some characters are using energy powered blaster which are used as long range weapons in the film. The clothing used by Darth Vader is very recognisable because it is dark and mysterious which links to the fact that he is on the dark side of the force, this is effective for the audience because it tells them that Darth Vader is making his first appearance in the film. 

Editing
The use of the editing for the productions at the start of the trailer are effective because they use fades to black which helps to separate each production company. During the trailer editing is also used when they cut different scenes together to make it fasted passed, this helps to make the trailer more interesting for the audience to watch.  

Sound

The sound during the trailer was very good and effective because it matched with parts of the scenes, for example the sound of the spaceship traveling at great speed with its weapons being fired at the enemy has its own unique sound. This is effective to the audience because it catches their attention and makes them feel like they are in the battle with the characters as it come to you from every angle. The light saber sounds are well used because it brings the weapon to life with the swishing noise through the air to the electric buzz when it connects with its target.
Genre indicators

This trailer is a good genre indicator because the trailer gives the audience a lot of information about the film. For example during the trailer you are able to see that this film is based on an adventure science fiction fantasy film, you can tell this by looking at all the new and improved technology.

Unique selling point

The unique selling point in this trailer for the film is that it is one of the most popular film franchise that has ever been created. The director George Lucas has been involved in all of the previous films so far and has a large fan base all over the world. A number of A-list actors are a big pulling power to the film with stars like Hayden Christensen, Ewen McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samual L Jackson and Christopher Lee. The high tech special effects have always been a big part of what the audience admires in these films which have been more advance than any other films in this time. The film also sells merchandise which increases the popularity as you can act out your favorite scenes and become the villain or hero.