Poster Analysis - Avengers

Using Mise-en-scene (literally “setting the stage”, but used to mean the stage design and arrangement of actors) we can tell this poster is an action film. The setting is a dark grey, cloudy city where buildings are on fire, planes are crashing in the background and rubble is flying everywhere. More importantly, we see several superheroes holding props such as weapons and shields. They are ready to fight, scattered within the foreground of the poster. This poster is constructed as though it is in the middle of all the action of the film, suggesting that it will be exciting, fast paced, and entertaining. It also subconsciously tells the viewer that the genre of the film is action.  

The poster designer used a long shot to fit in the setting and show the characters head to toe. By doing this we see the character’s full costumes and body language. Due to the positioning of the characters the audience can assume the man in the front middle (Iron Man) is the main character. His costume incorporates special lights shooting out of his hand and chest. Not only does this draw the viewer's eye straight to him, but it also incorporates the futuristic elements of the film into the poster. Other features of his costume consist of a shiny red iron uniform with hints of gold detailing. The colours in his costume suggest that he is strong, powerful, and invincible.  

Carefully placed around him are six other superheroes. There is one woman, and she is placed just slightly off centre and framed by the other male superheroes. This may have the connotation that she is being protected or it may be to just to draw the viewer's eye. She is wearing a tight black, long sleeve top and tight black trousers. Her costume accentuates her figure. Her hair is also nicely styled. The costume and hair were designed for the male gaze. The male gaze in media is usually when women are objectified and may only be there for visual pleasure. Either, as an erotic object for the characters within the narrative view or for the spectators within the cinema view. It is harder to define the difference in a poster, but I believe in this case it's for the spectator's view. The viewers are admiring her, not the male superheroes. The directors are adhering to the stereotype that she is a fit and pretty female superhero.  

The positioning also tells the viewers that these people are a team. All the superheroes are quite individual in the aspect that they are wearing different costumes and holding different weapons. But they are all facing outwards which shows that they have each other's backs. They are also quite close together, which indicates that they are like a pack.  

Just by looking at the poster we can assume things about the characters without knowing the story. For example, the superhero holding the shield is dressed in red and blue. These colours are normally associated with America, as those are the colours in their flag. His name in the movie is Captain America, but we already knew that he was associated with America before even watching the film. The Hulk is another memorable character, he is massive, extremely strong, and completely green. They did this to make him stand out from the other characters. The colour green has connotations of strength and growth which represents the Hulk perfectly. Would he be as memorable if he were skin colour?  

This poster is very cohesive and balanced. The directors used symmetry within camera composition to create a poster that is eye catching and nice to look at. The buildings are similar on both sides of the picture, and even though there are an odd number of characters they are skillfully placed in a formation that is balanced within the poster. The director did this because it makes the poster satisfying to look at.  

The designer accentuates the characters' facial expressions by subtly lighting up their faces. This emphasises the emotions of the superheroes. We can see dirt and bruises on their faces and bodies, which shows that they are in battle. They are watching out and are all seriously concentrated. This heightens the stakes and creates tension. We as the viewers can also quickly identify that these characters are the iconic Avengers. The public can quickly recognise the film through the superheroes' faces and costumes.  

All these techniques work together to show the viewer what the genre is, who the characters are, the dynamic between the characters, the setting and the tone of the film. The creator successfully conveyed all these ideas through one poster. Not only this, but the design is eye-catching, colourful, memorable and very easily distinguishable as the Avengers.