Analysis of Genre: Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements Lydia Cooke

The setting was presented at the very start of the trailer as a long shot of New York City is shown, one of the most popular iconic cities in the world. We know its New York as the buildings are famous and familiar to us as other popular action thrillers are shot in New York , this is a strong point of the genre conventions used in this film. The western looking bar in this shot really makes us think it’s going to be a film trying to capture elements of other legendary action films.

We straight away see that Liam Neeson is the main character in this film. This is use of star theory as he is known for starring in famous action thriller movies such as Taken. By using such a popular star in a film like this it attracts the audience as they rely on Liam Neeson to make it another great film. The trailer tells us his character in the film, he is an ex-cop, trying to carry on doing good for people in exchange for goods and things he needs to live. This creates enigma codes straight away as the audience wonder why is he an ex-cop? What happened to his career? Why is he so bothered about helping people still? These are questions that can only be answered if the target audience watch the film. We also know when cops are in this genre of film, that they are the good guys. The ones always trying to save the day. We can tell by Liam Neeson’s body language that the character has an intense personality, by the way he stands and the way his facial expressions are looking in the shot. He looks distressed as something bad has happened to him and he can’t get it out of his mind. This creates more enigma codes as we want to find out why. We can also see in one shot that he is drinking alcohol, maybe to try and forget about something?

The trailer begins telling us the main characters past. How Liam Neeson was an ex – cop but somehow lost this career. He is now drinking, and still carrying guns on the street. He obviously feels like he isn’t safe in New York. He begins to explain to a man that he hunts down the bad guys as favours for people, as long as he gets what he wants in return. This tells us in some manner he is still acting like a cop, still helping New York and saving people from these dangerous gangs that walk to streets of New York. The storyline intrigues us as we want to watch him on one of his most exciting and thrilling missions. The storyline seems to be similar to the storyline of Taken, another hit thriller movie Liam Neeson starred in. This could attract the audience that watched Taken, as they will see the trailer and think this film looks like a modern, newer excited version.

As the trailer begins to show us other characters in the film, we spot the girl who is apparently kidnapped, we recognise her clothing and what it relates to. As the girl is wearing a thick red coat, has flowing brunette hair and is quiet beautiful it makes us think of the fairy-tale little red riding hood. So the trailer is presenting pastiche codes. From her costume and her mannerisms, she looks sweet and innocent. However a man dressed in dark clothing is walking right behind her, could this be her kidnapper? Another question created that hooks us in and makes us want to watch more. The media term for this is anchorage, something or someone that makes us hooked and so interested in the film that we have to watch it. For example relating back to what I’ve already stated Liam Neeson. The red coat itself connotes anger, blood and death which relates to the genre of the film. These are elements we should be expected as they are stereotypically used in action thriller movies. We notice guns and a car chase as soon as the trailer starts which gets our attention and heart racing. These are also props that are normally used in this genre.

Some parts of the film are black and white; this technique is usually used to make a shot look old and more vintage. Using this effect on shots makes the audience think of older more famous action thrillers. So this suggest the creators of this movie is trying to make this film also legendary, so it can be put in that same category. The background sound effects are very much amplified, for example every time someone in the trailer maybe slams looking down on a table, or the phone starts to ring. The sound effects in the background will become louder and much more intense, so the audience know this is an important moment. There is also a lot of fading in ad out throughout the whole of the trailer. This creates a calmer, slower effect which contrasts with the mood of the trailer.

Overall all of these points stated, are the stereotypical conventions of an action thriller. Using elements such as star theory and pastiche really anchor the audience and get them hooked on the film from the very start. The editing and sound effects including are a big contribution to making the trailer more exciting which helps attract a wider audience. The trailer created plenty of enigma codes, leaving us bursting for answers. Using Liam Neeson himself in this type of action thriller is also convenient as he has starred in very similar films such as the hit movie Taken. From watching the trailer we identified the target audience, which would be males and females aged between 15 and 30 interested in action movies and also fans of the movie taken. The class of the target audience would be B to E as the film is about an ex – cop, lost his way but trying to get back on his feet and start saving is city, this storyline is inspiring for young people.