Taken Trailer Analysis

The story of this film is based on social realism as the girl is kidnapped in Paris, France after persuading her father to allow her to go on the trip with her friend. The plot and suspense of the trailer makes the thriller appealing for the viewer as it based on a situation which is every parent’s worst nightmare. The majority of young people believe this wouldn’t happen to them, but kidnaps do happen which makes the film more intense and believable. Although it is not present in the trailer the father and daughter have a very complicated relationship, due to her father divorcing her mother as well not letting her go on the trip with her friend at first. This was not relevant for the trailer as the trailer is intended to promote the film as being a ‘thriller’ not a ‘family drama’ and there is not enough time to fit the whole plot in the trailer. The shots used in the trailer do not happen in chronological order with the film as the trailer intends to use the best shots of the movie to attract the audience rather than putting the events of the trailer in the order of the film. As the trailer begins the mood is very happy and exciting however as the trailer unfolds it gets more thrilling and terrifying. The contrast is used to make the kidnap more unexpected just like it would be if it happened in real life. There are many stereotypes used in the film such as the male protagonist being the hero and the female lead being the ‘damsel in distress’ role. Another stereotype used in the film is that the girl’s blonde friend appears to be the typical blonde bimbo. Her blonde hair signifies that she is 'stupid' and 'slutty', which may be the reason she gets kidnapped first.

The trailer used many special effects to grab the viewer’s attention such as the flashing effect and the comic book effect to make the trailer more exciting. However there were also many special effects used from actual film footage like the explosion and stunts used to emphasise that action is the films sub genre. Along with the other effects flashing images are used which is constructed by fast-paced editing to make the viewer realise that something bad is going to unfold. Slow camera motion is also used for when the male protagonist is jumping off a bridge which enforces the fact that there will be a lot of action and danger in the film.

There are many camera techniques used such as cross cutting while the male character is on the phone as well as a comic book effect to help fit the story together in the trailer while anticipating with the viewer. The trailer consist of many close-up shots of the young girl to symbolise that she is terrified, whereas the close-ups used of her father are more serious to symbolise that he is in control. There is also an establishing aerial shot of Paris in relation to where the female protagonist is going, this helps the viewer be informed of where the film is located. In order to create a mysterious atmosphere the shots used for the intruders are of their boots, which then enforces the viewer to think who are these people and why are they doing this. In order to put us in the position of the terrified girl many POV shots are used to make the viewer feel disorientated. These shots were used many times when the young girl was watching her friend get kidnapped, while on the phone.

The dialogue in this trailer also sets the mood for example the fear in the girls voice indicates that she is very afraid and is the one who needs rescuing. Whereas the serious tone on the fathers’ voice emphasises that he is in control and is the hero of the film. However the voice used at the end of the phone is very creepy and the dialogue ‘good luck’ emphasises that the intruder is very cocky which is stereotypical for the villain in a film. The sound in the trailer is used to bring the thriller alive. At the start of the trailer the music is very peaceful to begin with which anchors the slow editing techniques and the slow transitions used to create a happy atmosphere. Then suddenly out of nowhere thunder sounds are used and the music gets very intense. The editing then begins to fasten up throughout the trailer as the music begins to get quicker. The music then tones down as we focus on the girls’ frantic tone of voice and the alarm on her face. The music gets louder and more dramatic as the action in the trailer increases causing us to be more fixed on it. The trailer then leaves us in suspense the sound of a heart beat leaving us wanting to find out what happens and leaving us in anticipation. Many other non-diegetic sounds are also used throughout the trailer such as the dial tone, heavy breathing. This is done in order to make the viewer feel more afraid.

In conclusion, this trailer has helped me gain a better understanding of the techniques and conventions used in trailers as well as an insight of the stereotypical characters used in the film.