Film Trailer Analysis | Unstoppable

Analysis of first 50 seconds of Unstoppable Film Trailer

The trailer begins with a still mid shot of a red and yellow train, which we go on to find is the train that loses control and becomes a 'runaway', the main colour of the train is red which we associate with danger and stop signs which is ironic as the train becomes 'unstoppable' and the sound used is a loud drum that fades out to wind making it seem much more threatening. The shot then quickly moves to an alarm clock going off with diegetic sound and a man waking up to turn it off, these shots are quick and create pace after the shot of the train which appears dark and quite sinister. The clip then moves to a different location with a range of mid shots of men in an industrial building, the music is non-diegetic and is quite 'country' with a guitar and creates an attitude about it which links in with the way the main character speaks to the men saying that he doesn't like "working in a retirement home". The editing of these clips are short and switch quickly between face mid shots to the group of men around the table, making the main character appear outnumbered and more vulnerable against this group however he then acts more of a 'Hero' according to Propps Theory. The shot is then showing the two male train drivers walking alongside the trains, this works as a location panning shot to show where the main plot is going to be based, and then a quick shot of a view underneath a train with diegetic sound of the railway screeching, then the other train driver says "out here you just get killed" this adds drama, pace and shows the severity of the film. The trailer then moves to a later time where the men are talking about family and it shows fast paced clips of their own families, this adds a personal point and also will engage the audience as they know something bad will happen and how this will affect their families. The trailer finally moves to a different location with a different point of view, it shows children getting on a train for a 'field trip' and the audience immediately knows that this is going to be causing trouble with the 'unstoppable' train, we're shown a young girl waiting for a train and then a quick shot of the unstoppable train going past with diegetic sound for emphasis of it's pace and then an overview mid shot of the train hurtling towards a van abandoned across the track and smashing through it without even slowing down, the sound is diegetic again to hear the sound of the crash and the effect this has. It then shows more fast paced clips of the train going through the trees into a town with non-diegetic sound of a woman explaining their is an 'unmanned train rolling into a highly populated area', this will engage the audience because it's dramatic and tense which appeals to those who want to see a action, fast paced thriller.