A2 Media Studies Trailer Analysis of: Sin City, Frank Miller, 2005

Within the first few shots the trailer shows: alcohol, guns, smoke; 3 icons from the noir genre. Additionally, the trailer presents the unique, black and white, saturated style of Sin City. The next shots establish the urban setting and the two rival gangs are introduced, with key characters being the focus. The text comes up between shots, matching the comic book style of the film. More characters are introduced and the themes of crime and murder are developed.

The characters presented before appear in the same shot and the narrative is developed, one-character stating to the other “You know who my father is”. Other shots of torture and gun crime, presents conflict. The use of white flashing (like lightning) present fear and danger. The trailer speeds up and its starts to present its unique style where certain colours appear while the rest is saturated i.e. red. The use of sexually promiscuous females presents the stock character of the femme fatale; however, it is unclear of the exact femme fatale. Furthermore, as the trailer speeds up the film states “There is no justice”.

As relationships between characters are developed, it is presented that a female assassin group is created. The main protagonist is unclear however it seems that there is an abundance of characters suggesting multiple protagonists, on the other hand Bruce Willis’ character could be the main protagonist. Conflict is shown suggesting the rivalry between the two gangs being revived. The abundance of female characters who are sexually promiscuous presents a possibility of multiple femme fatales.

The villain is presented to be a male who gets involved with a woman. Also Bruce Willis’ character seems to be imprisoned near the beginning and tortured, the overcoming of this could be at any point of the film, however the likely moment is the start. The text that appears is now red and flashes with white lightning, this effect is good as it presents action.

Opening: Establishes setting and introduces character.

Build up: relationships established; development of characters and their world.

Problem: a dilemma or series of complications: characters faced with an obstacle (or several) to overcome. There may be more than one ‘problem’ in the narrative.

Events: a series of events as characters try to overcome obstacles and solve problems. Further complications may arise in the process