127 Hours Trailer Analysis - Adventure/Drama

After analysing the poster for the film '127 Hours' I decided to analyse the trailer of the same film, as I was so impressed by the advertising skill displayed in the poster. The first half of the trailer is dominated by the pumping music and for the most part it is led by this beat guiding the timing of every shot. It is a fast-paced, exciting start to the trailer and immediately grabs the audience's attention. It is also very easy to watch and almost satisfying as the shots appear perfectly timed to the beats of the music. In particular I like the split screens that appear as the music plays, as they make the start of the trailer more fun, as well as showcasing the inventive and technical prowess of the film. Making the start of the trailer more fast and upbeat makes the ending of the trailer more dramatic and horrifying when it comes. This is exactly the sort of effect that the director wants; he wants the audience to experience the same shock that the protagonist feels when falling into the canyon. In doing this, the director is making the audience connect more with the character and feel almost as if they are in his shoes, which makes them want to see what happens to him in the end, making them want to see the film. It seems to be a pattern in a number of trailers that the film makers try to establish relationships with the audience so that they connect with the film and therefore want to finish it. Another effect that this shock has is that the audience thinks that the film is unpredictable and will surprise them at every turn. This attracts a very wide audience who want to be surprised in films and want to see more than just the usual predictable films that come out of Hollywood.