I have chosen to analysis the dvd/ video film release poster for the film G.I. Joe: Rise of the cobra, it was released into cinemas on the 6th August 2009 and is an example of a film poster which effectively uses a number of codes and conventions in an appealing way.
The title of the film runs across the poster diagonally and is placed centrally. It divides up the images to present a good vs. evil layout. The titles typography is used effectively as the metallic colour and sharpness of the individual letters used may symbolise weaponry such as knives. This identifies the action genre alongside the main images used. The written codes, for example the slogans are placed either side of the title. Each slogan represents either the good or evil side which can be seen to be a very powerful and a unique way of laying this out. One slogan reads ‘Evil never looked so good’ this is placed underneath the imagery representing the evil section and uses a red/ dark orange font which connotes danger and uncertainty closely linked with how villains are perceived in action films. The second slogan is placed above the imagery representing the good side section and reads ‘When all else fails they don’t’. It is written in a light blue colour denoting a mysterious and ice like effect.
Below the title some credits are placed including the release date, this information would have been placed centrally as it is important.
As the poster is cleverly split by the title, the two different halves feature two different groups of characters. The top half represent the villains, this is easily recognised through their mise-en-scene. There's one female character placed centrally, with a proximity which is much closer to the audience insinuating she is more dominant and is potentially seen to be more like a boss. Compared to the three male characters behind her who are presented like her henchmen. They are all hidden with some sort of head scarf or mask, this may have been used to conceal their true identities and leave a number of enigma codes for the audience such as ‘Who are they?’ or ‘Why are they doing this?’. All 4 characters both have individual weapons potentially connoting how menacing and threatening they are, as well as also reinforcing the action genre. Behind the four villain like characters, CGI has been cleverly used to create some sort of explosion enhancing the colour orange. CGI has also been used to produce some sort of laser flash or strike of lava across the front of the villains connoting how the film would be full of exciting fight scenes involving things blowing up massively involving fire. The bottom halve of the poster represents the heroes in the film ‘the G.I. Joe team’ they are all assembled and are equipped with identical black body suits and weaponry showing they a united force to be reckoned with. However they have chosen to place a male character with a greater proximity to the audience, possibly due to his actor being the most recognisable as ‘Channing Tatum’. Or to support stereotypical views of a male character being the main powerful and attractive protagonist. Behind the 4 main characters the background is a light blue colour connoting a sci-fi, supernatural feeling, this is supported by the CGI used to create streaks of ice/water laser beams. These contrasting background colours may reflect fire vs. ice which relates to the main narrative good vs. evil.
A potential target audience who would notice this poster would seek adrenaline from watching an action packed film like ‘G.I. Joe: Rise of the cobra’. Also anyone who recognises the main actors and is a fan of them, may want to view the film.
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