Feminism and Marxism in thriller trailers.

GONE:

Within this t

trailer female characters both challenge stereotypes, and represent them.

The main protagonist's sister, is soon recognised as being a very typical female character, this is demonstrated as she is presented as being very vulnerable, weak, and naive, which reinforces representation of woman. However, the main protagonist does not conform to these stereotypes, as she is portrayed as being very forward in decision making, strong-willed, dangerous and protective over her sister, who she is trying to save within the narrative, also suggesting  that she is capable of being independent.
However despite this, feminists are still likely to respond negatively to the way the male characters have dominance within the trailer, as they are portrayed as having more power than the females.

EDEN LAKE:

At the beginning of this trailer the main female character, conforms to the stereotype of woman, as she appears elegant, fragile and naive., while the lead character is more in control. As the trailer progresses  though, this changes and the power is handed over to the female. Although the he is still in possession of some control as he gives the female instructions. Feminists are likely to respond to this in a positive way, as it demonstrates that woman characters are more capable than some stereotypes let on. However, Marxists are likely to respond quite negatively to this trailer, as the gang within the trailer,  that are of a lower class, are not looking for equality, but more power.  

CASINO ROYALE

The main character of James Bond, reinforces typical stereotypes of male characters. This is because he is portrayed as being very strong, powerful, dangerous, skilled, and violent.
The female representation within the trailer varies- The female character head of M16 does not conform to the stereotypes, as she is a very powerful character, in a very top career placement. Another female character within the trailer is also powerful, however she is very objectified for her beauty, but as the trailer progresses we soon identity her as being a damsel in distress, which is a typical representation of female characters.

  

CABIN IN THE WOODS:

Within this trailer, towards the beginning the male characters represent typical stereotypes. This is because they show some control, however they are also portrayed as being just as vulnerable as the woman, as they begin to display emotion and weaknesses as the scenario they are in worsens. The female characters also  conform to stereotypes, as they are shown screaming, suggesting they are weak, emotional and vulnerable.  Feminists are likely to respond to this fairly positively as there is little difference in gender, because both are portrayed as being just as vulnerable as each other.

DIE HARD 4.0:

The main protagonist in the trailer is portrayed as being cocky, arrogant, powerful and in control, this conforms to typical stereotypes of men.
Females within the trailer also represent typical stereotypes as they are shown as being less powerful, and the daughter of the protagonist is shown as being very weak, and reliant upon others, which conforms to the typical damsel in distress character.
Feminists are likely to respond quite negatively to this, as there is a clear divide between genders.

Analysis of The Happening.

One of the ways The Happening conforms to the typical conventions of the thriller genre is through the pace of the trailer. Throughout there is continuous use of cut and jump cut editing, this quick transition between clips of the film, creating a jerky, rapid pace, as it breaks the smoothness of the narrative, which is typical of thriller genre, as it gets the adrenaline flowing for the audience. The camera also swiftly alternates from different scenes, to blank black screens. This creates a dark under tone within the trailer, and an ominous feel is raised, this is because the use of the colour black connotes death, and danger, suggesting that death is surrounding the characters. 

There is also a strong sense of mystery within the trailer that is also stereotypical of the thriller genre. The characters within the trailer do not seem to understand the situation that is occurring, and can only explain it as 'an event happening' and what seems to be one of the main protagonists, asks 'what is going on?' this creates a personal relationship between the audience and the characters within the trailer, as they are both in the dark about the situation.
This further creates a sense of panic, which is also another key convention of thriller genre, the camera presents a montage of different characters all distressed, troubled and fearful by the life threatening situations they are shown in. This intrigues the audience, as they begin to raise questions about the happenings within the trailer, and so they feel obliged to watch the film.

There is also use of digetic and non-digetic sound. At the beginning of the trailer there is an immediate non- digetic drone sound effect, which continues through the entire trailer. This creates tension, as the minor key of the drone sets a sinister tone to the back ground of the trailer. This sinister tone, is also created through the use of the digetic sound of bells charming, this symbolises a warning for the characters, and alerts them of further disaster approaching- this engages the audience, as they anticipate this further disruption. The assumption that something dramatic is going to happen is also created by the use of the non-digetic crescendo, which stops abruptly.

There is also a worms-eye view shot of several people falling from a sky-scraper, this is quite an intimidating shot, and symbolises the lack of power the characters have over the scenario they are in, this is an unconventional scene within the trailer, and because of this, the audience feel its an unfamiliar, as its not an everyday sight, which engages their interest.

Limitless Analysis, Marxism and Feminism.

At the beginning of the trailer, the main character, Eddie, does not conform to the typical stereotype of a man. We are introduced to a man, who starts off as a low status citizen in New York City, with little money, power, and authority, a character who appears to be struggling with life, which goes against typical representation of a male character. However, by the end of trailer, Eddy the main protagonist, has manipulated some of the biggest business men in the world, and became incredibly wealthy, rich and famous- and as a result, the hierarchy difference becomes more balanced, and so he becomes more equal.
Feminists are likely to respond to this in a fairly positive way, as it demonstrates that it is not just female characters that have to fight for equality, and that men also can be just as inferior a woman can be.

However, it could also suggest that if you are a lower class citizen, with little money, power isn't an option for you unless you cheat your way into the business. At the start of the trailer, the main character, Eddy, states the reason 'why he looks like this' is because he is 'a writer' suggesting that this job title hasn't got much hope, and because of the job, you will not have much going for you, so potential lacks. This trailer suggests that the only way to overcome this is to perform illegal moves, represented by the drug used to increase intelligence and capabilities, enabling authority to be gained.

Example of a film in the thriller genre.