Comparing two movie posters

Dear Sir, As requested I have analysed and compared two movies posters to see which one is most effective in promoting to their target audience, I did this by comparing how different techniques can promote the films in the most successful way.

One poster is n action film called 'Iron Man'. And the other is the animated comedy 'ratatouille' (Rat-a-too-ee). In the two movie posters typography is used differently to promote the two films. An example of this would be in, 'Iron Man'. The font of the title on the poster is tall, bold, capitalised writing, with a gradient of black to gold merging down from the top of the text.There is also a glowing shimmer to the writing, this gives the writing a metal affect.

These connotations link the title to the film; with the effect of the word 'Iron' in the title implies its genre, about strength. Further more implying to the audience this poster is about an action film as; strength is associated with metal and is also associated with power which people fight over. Also, the glowing shimmer of the writing can be associated with metal, it can also be used to imply strength, as metal is a strong substance and can also used to make weapons this also linking it to the film.As both of these points leading to war and fighting which is often found in action films.

Another example of typography could be in 'Ratatouille'. The title of the film is in bold, clear, capital letters, on a dark blue board with also a golden boarder around it. These Connotations show the films about restaurants as the title represents a sign above a restaurant door. The title is also linked to the film with iconography, as the 'I' has added images on its top.

This image is of a mouse nose and whisker, also with a chef's hat on top. These connotations show the film is about a chef rat.Also suggesting it genre, a comedy, as you do not normally see rat's cooking food. In evaluation 'Ratatouille' used typography and iconography more effectively then 'Iron Man'. This is because the typography and iconography on the poster for 'Ratatouille' linked the text more directly to the film as it was made to look like a restaurant sign and the film is set in a restaurant.

The iconography also shows the film is about a rat before the audience looks at the image, this means that the audience could look at only the text and have a clear idea what the film is about.Iron Man' on the other hand only using typography, it is also only linked to the title it self as the title is 'Iron Man' and the effect of the text is iron. Another way the movie posters promote to their target audience is through box office draw. A good example of this can be found on the movie poster 'Iron Man'.

The poster advertises famous actors starring in the film; these actors are 'Robert Downey JR, Terrance Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyenth Datrow'. These actors promote the film to their fans as; if someone in the audience is a fan of one of the actors, and enjoyed a film they have been in previously, they should like this film also.On the other hand 'Ratatouille' does not use box office draw in the same way however, this poster does use a preview of the film from 'empire magazine' to advertise the film. They quoted 'Absolutely sensationally visually breath taking, super smart.

.. funny...

complete magic. ' This quotation suggests the film is funny and enjoyable to watch. Making people who watch films like this think about watching this film. The movies poster also uses play on words to advertise the film producer company and previous films they made.For example ' from the kitchen that served you finding nemo and the incredibles.

.. Disney pixar'. This informs the audience that the film is enjoyable, as they have made excellent films before so this one shouldn't be different. They also use the play on words to humour the audience looking at the poster, also linking it to the content of the film, as the use of humour is a feature of a comedy.

In evaluation 'Iron Man' is more effective in using box office draw, as they write the actors name at the top of the poster and show the actors in character on the poster.This is more effective as the audience can recognise who is in the film and audiences are known to judge the film on who is in the film than who made it, which is what the poster for 'Ratatouille' Does. As the use a quote from 'Empire magazine' and mention the creators of the film, this is effective but not as effective as 'Iron Man' as some people wouldn't have heard of 'Empire magazine' but are more likely to recognise one of the characters in the film. Other ways in which the movie poster promotes the film is through images. 'Iron Man' uses a image of an explosion and a helicopter close to the explosion.This has connotations of tension and action to come, as you do not know what going to happen to the helicopter bear the explosion, and explosions usually take place in action films.

The movie poster also has a red robot in the background looking down on the other characters in the poster. The robots eyes are also glowing sky blue and also the robot has a golden face. These descriptions of the robot suggest he is evil, as the connotations of red is evil. Gold is the connotations of fortune showing he may be after something in the film.

The other images in the poster are of the characters, they are stood in front of the robot in black suits, and their gesture codes show they are waiting. The connotations of black show evil and darkness, this along with their gesture codes shows something bad is going to happen in the film. A woman stands in front of the men in a slim black dress that is also showing a lot of skin. She has a sexual posture about herself this has suggestions of sexual activity in the film. Thus appealing more to a male audience and encouraging them to watch the film.Ratatouille' on the other hand doesn't use many characters on the poster; the only character shown is the rat.

This demonstrates the film is centred around the rat. The poster also shows him in a kitchen with cheese in his hands above his head, running away from a broken plate; His gesture code is of fear but in a comic way. This is a stereotypical representation of a rat steeling cheese, but with comic expressions, implying the film is going to be funny and appeal to both adults and children. This poster also shows where the film is set, in Paris, as the Eiffel Tower is pictured in the background windows.The French are very strict in the food industry, which shows more comedy to come, as the rat is stealing food in France in a French kitchen.

In Evaluation 'Ratatouille' uses the images in the poster most successfully than 'Iron Man' as the audience has more of an idea what they are going to see in 'Ratatouille' but aren't given too much information, so they don't go se the film. The poster for 'Iron Man' only shows the characters and a small picture of an explosion that we don't know is even going to happen in the film.This makes the audience wonder if the film is worth watching, as they do not even know what it is really about. In conclusion 'Ratatouille' poster designers used more effective techniques than 'Iron Man' Poster designers. This helps the film promote to the audience as the poster is the first impression the audience get on the film so if the poster isn't appealing enough the audience will move on to another film. It also means the audience that is interested in both films are more likely to choice 'Ratatouille' as it first impression is more appealing.