Trailer
analysis 3
Scream 4
As the
trailer starts we can hear the iconic ring that started it all, this ring
indicates the beginning of a horror story. We are taken back to Woodsboro where
the murders have happened before and one of the continuous survivors, Sydney
has returned to her hometown and where she was first victimised. A new
generation of teenagers live in the legend that happened there over a decade
ago, these are seen to be smart enough that should a ‘killing spree’ happen to
them they are well informed to be able to survive their real life horror movie.
‘What’s your favourite scary movie?’ is continuously asked throughout the
trailer when said by ‘Ghostface’. We are shown all the possible victims of
Ghostface through the new generation of teenagers.
The
surviving character (Sydney) from the legend itself offers a guide as to how
the narrative will pan out. However, Sydney having previously survived
‘Ghostface’ faces new challenges as the rules of his murders have changed. We
are shown that Ghostface could be anyone and it’s always the person you least
expect it to be. This trailer appeals to a new generation of horror film lovers
as they see the advances technology has on the genre.
The stabs
that are constantly used in the trailer show the fast pace of the narrative and
that the many characters the killer could be anyone of them. This makes the
fear of the unknown even more suspenseful for the audience.
Sound
‘What’s your favourite
scary movie?’
This iconic
line that is used throughout the scream film series scares those most who know
the meaning behind it, as the ending of that phone call never ends in a life
being saved. This question is the starting point of a new generation of victims
and also a new generation of fans for the ‘Scream’ franchise. This is constantly repeated
throughout the trailer in a mocking way. It shows that mocking an unknown force
or pretending that it’s a joke will inevitably end in a brutal death of a
character. This can then be supported by
the quote pulled from the trailer ‘it’s time for someone new to die’.
‘The
unexpected is the new cliché, even virgins can die now’
This
directly pulls the strings of the horror conventions that the first victims are
the promiscuous and rebellious, however the rules have changed and anyone can
die. This is a clever and effective way of challenging conventions that lie
within a horror film. It creates a new type of narrative that can appeal to the
new generation of horror fanatics.
“Halloween, Texas
Chainsaw, Dawn of the Dead, The Hills have Eyes, The Amittey Ville Horror, The
Last House on the Left, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, My
Bloody Valentine, When a Stranger Calls, Prom Night, Black Christmas, it’s one
of those right, RIGHT?!”
Here Kirby
is desperately trying to save her life by showing her knowledge of the horror
film and what entails if she gets it wrong showing that the new generation is
smarter and more aware of the consequences of messing with a real life horror
film. This again supports the notion that even though the characters are aware
of what may happen to them they still feel that it actually won’t.
‘I’ll
be right back’
A classic quote that can be found in most
horror films to show the lack of fear within the character and the innocence
along with it, a common horror movie trait.
Meise on
scene
For this
movie the narrative occurs in a town which has previously faced Ghostface
murders.
Props that
are used within the movie are indicators that history is about to repeat
itself. The town is littered with Ghostface marks. This could do one of two
things. The first being them taking it seriously and fearing that they will
die; the second being that think it is a joke and making light of the
situation.
The use of
technology is featured heavily in the trailer. This shows how it will play a
massive part in movie and how the killer will expose his victims and may even
help the victims and the protagonist expose the killer himself. In addition the
use of technology shows the generation gap from previous horror films or even
the first scream movie. It shows how the antagonist is smarter now as well for
concealing himself from his victims and the public.
From looking
at the trailer it is clear to see a generation gap in regards to the costumes
the characters wear.
We have Sidney who is the classic final girl, she’s
brunette, wears sensible clothing, nothing provocative or flashy as though she
doesn’t want to draw attention to herself. Then we have the younger generation
who know now that being a virgin will not save you from a horror movie, there
are new rules. Therefore they do not need to stick to the old ones. They were
provocative clothing and still go to parties.
The iconic
clothes of the antagonist; the long dark overall and the Ghostface mask make It
impossible to determine who the killer is this time creating the sense of fear
for both the audience and characters as to who it could possibly be, and that
no one is safe and no one can be trusted. It also creates complacency for the
audience. They know what story to expect just from seeing that mask.
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