Trailer Analysis - The Book of Eli (2010)

THE BOOK OF ELI



I have chosen to analyse this trailer as it is set in a post apocalyptic setting. It also has some creative shots that I think are very interesting.


Camera angles, shots and movement

• About half a minute into the trailer, there is a low angle long shot that shows the protagonist (Eli) walking below a large destroyed bridge. The angle and distance of the shot make him appear small, and make the bridges look massive. This conveys that the environment is hostile.
• Soon after this, there is a low angle close up of the Eli's face. This makes him appear intimidating, and also shows that he has a purpose, and won't let anything stop him.
• A few seconds later, there is another extreme long shot that sees Eli in a large desert. He again, appears small against the landscape, showing the hostility of the world.
• Following shortly after this, there is a shot of Eli in which he is framed in the middle of the shot and walking toward the camera. This breaks the rule of thirds and makes him appear intimidating, connoting that he has a strong purpose.
• After this, the camera tracks to follow Eli as he walks through a town. The fact that it follows him shows his importance, and connotes a sense of purpose.
• Later on in the trailer, there are handheld shots during a fight scene. This makes it seem more realistic, which emphasises the action and seems more hostile.
• Soon after, there is an arc shot during a fight scene. This makes the scene more dramatic and intense.

Mise-en-scene

• The very first shot in the trailer has high-key unnatural green lighting which creates a spooky atmosphere, which is hostile to the viewer.
• Throughout the trailer there is a supreme lack of colour in most of the shots, which connotes a severe lack of hope.
• Throughout the trailer, there are shots showing the results of destruction (i.e. destroyed bridges). This establishes the post-apocalyptic setting.
• Throughout the trailer, the characters are dressed in improvised clothing. This is a stereotype of the genre and again, helps to establish the setting.
• During a fast paced montage of shots, we see a cat hissing at the camera. This denotes a hostile world.
• Immediately after this there is a shot of an arrow in flight. This again communicates hostility.
• Later on in the trailer there is a shot of two people holding hands. This connotes hope.
• Soon after this there is a shot of a town where the sun is shining over it. This again, conveys a feeling of hope.
• Following this, we see a man watching Eli through a window. This conveys hostility.
• Soon after, there is a shot of Eli walking away from an explosion. This conveys that he has purpose.
• Throughout the trailer, we see that everyone carries a weapon, showing that the film's setting is hostile.
• We see in many impressive sequences that Eli is a skilled fighter and we do not learn much about the film's story. This is done to attract action fans.
• Toward the end of the trailer, there is a fighting sequence where all of the subjects are silhouetted. This is a creative shot that is memorable, which would make people more likely to watch the film.

Editing

• Toward the start of the trailer, there are shots of Eli walking that are linked through crossfades. This conveys the passing of time which could be seen to connote a sense of purpose.
• When the protagonist references himself in the narration "I have been walking...", we then see a close-up of his face. This allows the audience to easily make the connection that he is the protagonist, which makes the plot more accessible.
• After a short dramatic pause, the protagonist narrates "...ever since". Upon this line the shot fades to black. This connotes a lack of hope.
• Immediately after this, there is a fast montage showing hostile images (i.e. a hissing cat). This simply shows the hostility of the film's setting, and the pace of the montage emphasises it.
• Soon after, there is a shot of the protagonist walking towards the camera. There is then a jump cut and he appears a lot closer to the camera. This connotes that he has a strong purpose and he won't stop until he achieves his goal.
• Later on in the trailer, the protagonist narrates: "Some would kill to have it". Upon this line of dialogue, we see a shot of the antagonist. This makes the plot accessible and shows the hostility of the film's world.
• In the middle of the trailer, there is a shot of a rocket-propelled grenade flying towards the window of a house. Here, there is no sound. This separates the two halves of the trailer (the 'plot' based half, and the action based half). The silence also creates a contrast that emphasises the action that follows it.
• Throughout the trailer there are multiple cuts to black. Upon each of these there is a 'slamming' sound, which connotes hostility.

Sound

• At the start of the trailer there is an atmospheric, droning sound. This creates a spooky atmosphere, which is hostile to the viewer.
• Soon after the trailer's opening, the protagonist narrates: "The war tore a hole in the sky, only a few survived". This establishes the film's setting.
• Soon after this, the sound builds up in a rising crescendo of noise. This creates a hostile atmosphere.
• At multiple points in the trailer there is quiet, choral music. This connotes hope, which is attractive to the viewer.
• Towards the middle of the trailer, the protagonist says "Our only hope, is in my hands". It is not revealed what the protagonist is talking about; this creates mystery which entices the viewer to watch the film.
• Towards the end of the trailer there is fast paced 'machine-like' music that has a strong emphasis on slamming sounds. This emphasises the action and also connotes a hostile atmosphere.