#15
The Hunger Games
A Poster Analysis
Requested by Spidey31
Introduction
I know this is long overdue but due to some personal stuff I sadly wasn’t able to write any analysis up until now. What better way to restart is going back and taking care of a few fan requests that I have received with my last few articles. So, now let me return by looking at a few of your requests. So without further ado, let us get into the analysis for the film that made teenage love triangles interesting again with the Hunger Games.
Analysis
Teasers commonly give a feeling of what exactly we might be facing in the upcoming film and is also trying to make us interested in the upcoming trailer. There are different ways to catch people’s interest by either giving a first look at the main character, which is commonly used for comic book movies and sequels, or an iconic imagery. When it comes to adapting a book there are usually a few select items or characters that stick out. While I believed we would be seeing the arena to show us what disasters our heroes will be faced, I came to understand that what they ended up using, the Mockingjay medallion is also famous for the books. This idea is perfect to not only make fans aware that one of their favorite book is coming to the big screen, while non-readers will be curious by the message behind this symbol.
What followed was quite an interesting idea. Those unaware of what the film was about have no idea of the world they were going to descend into. Creating posters with the symbols of the various districts is an ingenious idea. It takes over a informing function as one learns how this world is constructed, while also learning that each district serves a distinctive function. At the very same time we learn about the hardships from this world due to the muted, almost rusty colors for each district. My only personal issue is that capitol is shown with the same design. It makes one believe that the rich and powerful Capitol is just another version of the regular districts. Maybe putting it into a much lighter color, maybe even gold, would serve a cognitive function of making it stick out more from the rest.
Character potraits have become a staple of today’s movie marketing. While I believe it to work better for already established designs and characters they use them to great effect here. Muted in shadow shows us that we are not aware of their alliances within this world. Maybe one seems to be protagonists, but holds much darker ideas within their mind. It proves that this is not a world of ideals or hope, but rather one dipped in a strong grey. Also, those who are aware of the various characters can start seeing their favorites come to life on the big screen, trying to figure out who is who.
While I understand that the film mainly focuses on Katniss and her struggle alongside Peeta within the Hunger Games. My personal opinion is though that this is more of a depiction of a world at the brink of chaos that is starting to change all thanks to one teenage girl. This poster actually helps visualize my interpretation of the film. We do see the faces of our protagonists in the banners. Our heroine never actually faces us directly within this poster. We see that even though they are being sent to their death, many people see it as a form of enjoyment. The way it is shown makes one believe the Hunger Games are nothing more than a modernized Gladiator match, which a much stronger message.
No matter what exactly I believe the film still focuses on Katniss and her struggle to survive. This poster used the muted colors of flames and helps understand why she is described as the Girl on Fire. We come to understand that no matter what happens around her she takes it with quite a straight face, trying to hide all of her emotions. With her bow in hand she faces other innocent teenagers that are forced to kill each other. In this world there was no place for any emotion or else one has no chance to survive.
Conclusion
It is incredible to think how much work goes into each individual poster and what messages, or simple concepts one can uncover. Especially the beginning posters have some great ideas that are used perfectly. They know exactly who their target audience is and how they can reach them. With all the critics stating it might be the next Twilight film they never went out of their way to prove that they aren’t, neither did they seem to embrace that fact. The Hunger Games did its own thing successfully and one should admire how much work and passion went into not only the film but everything around it. I do believe that they had some ambitious ideas and concepts that were well placed within the first film, while also slowly building a believable world that is on the brink of revolution.
What do you think? Was there anything I missed? Maybe there are some poster analyses you want to see in the near future? Comment below and discuss! Don't forget to like the article!
2014 UPDATE
Now, I have been absent for an entire month with the exception of my Four Kings Editorial. The reason is that I am in my final year for my Bachelor's and had all my exams shortly before Christmas. This way I can start my job in the last semester, which I am starting tomorrow. I want to bring out many articles this year but probably won't be able to fully stick to my two-day plan so I will make January a trial month, while also taking care of a all the requests I got in November. Also, I am trying to film a new section "Trailer Analysis". This part is still being worked on, but I hope to bring something out within the next few weeks. So, let us begin a new year together with a lot of exciting projects heading our way!