Genre Essay

The trailer I have chosen to analyse the genre of is for 'Man of Steel', directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill. The genre for this trailer is superhero, though it also encompasses elements of science-fiction, through its depiction of Krypton and means of space travel.

The trailer opens on the image of a dystopian Krypton; the camera tracks across the terrain of the planet, giving the audience an insight into what the planet looks like. The lighting comes predominantly from explosions in the background, however the use of lens flares amplify the light, making it somewhat brighter in appearance. Furthermore, in the background we can make out the shape of spaceships in the sky. This gives the audience the immediate impression that the trailer is for a science-fiction film, and the use of missiles suggests that the film is also action-oriented, with danger and peril for the main characters. In the foreground we can see Jor-El, portrayed by Russell Crowe, watching the chaos unfold. The use of Russell Crowe in this trailer is an example of how recognisable actors are used to attract an audience; Crowe is known to many for his roles in films such as 'Gladiator' and 'A Beautiful Mind', and has a large number of fans around the world. Including him in the initial moments of the trailer encourages the audience to keep watching. The camera, focusing on Crowe, tracks forward, going from a medium shot to a medium close-up. This is so that the audience is drawn to Jor-El's elaborate Kryptonian attire - typical of a science-fiction movie, as it is ornate and otherworldly - eventually focusing on the character's facial expressions. This allows the audience to connect with the character, as we can see his response to the events ensuing around him.

We subsequently see the baby Kal-El, being cradled by his parents in an over-the-shoulder shot. This suggests to the audience that this is an intimate moment shared by a parent and their child, and that the audience should feel fortunate to see such a moment. The lighting for this scene is dark, with the only discernible elements being Kal-El and his parent. This suggests that the planet itself is dying, as black connotes death and bereavement. Using a subdued colour palette is typical of the science-fiction genre, as it gives an eerie, unearthly feel to it, much unlike Earth itself.

Subsequently, we see a montage of clips to depict the young Clark Kent's life in Smallville. Initially, we see the Kents' house in a low angle shot, with the house being out-of-focus, and the grass in the foreground being clearer. This suggests a rural environment, with the colour palette including many greens (grass, trees) and yellows (sunset). We then see a child's toy lying in the grass; this allows the audience to personally identify with the protagonist, with the audience have played with toys too as a child. This image fades to an image of a butterfly on the chain of a swing. The use of a butterfly connotes nature and the countryside, emphasising the fact that this is not within a built-up environment.

As this montage is playing, we hear the voice of Costner, stating, "What if a child had dreamed of becoming something other than what society had intended? What if a child aspired to something greater?" This quote is taken out of its original context, and in the trailer it is used to directly address the audience. One of the predominant themes of this movie is society and the modern world, and this quote epitomises one of the film's ideologies - to have great aspirations, and a wish to achieve something great.

An example of iconography present within this trailer is the use of a red cape. This has been associated with Superman since his first appearance in 1938, and in this trailer we first see the young Clark Kent as the first to wear it. A long shot from a low-angle is used to create atmosphere; the audience can the cape tucked into the child's shirt, as it waves in the wind. Furthermore, this short segment of the montage mirrors Superman's first appearance later in the trailer, starting off with a low-angle shot, showing the cape, eventually showing his face. This gives the trailer a sense of continuity, suggesting that the adult Superman is not unlike the child he once was. This allows many audience members - particularly children - to personally identify with the character, having played with a cape, pretending to be a superhero. The image of the cape fluttering in the wind is in itself iconic, as it has often been used to emphasise Superman's unique style of clothing. An example of a binary opposition in this trailer is good and evil. This is typical of many superhero films, as without an evil the good is rendered useless. The villain of 'Man of Steel' is General Zod, portrayed by Michael Shannon. This is a further example of an actor being used to help attract an audience. Shannon is known to many for his roles in 'Revolutionary Road' and 'Take Shelter', and has gained a large amount of fans across the globe.

The director of this film is Zack Snyder, who gained critical acclaim for his work on '300' and 'Watchmen'. This is a director renowned for his work in the science-fiction/superhero genre, and is an example of a director working closely within a particular genre of film. In addition to this, the music for the trailer was created by Hans Zimmer, a renowned film composer. The music is primarily orchestral, with a piano leitmotif emphasising the pathos in Clark's life, struggling to cope with the loss of his father and coming to terms with his abilities. Hans Zimmer is an example of an acclaimed musician attracting people to watch this trailer; his previous work has included 'The Dark Knight' and 'The Lion King'.