Menace 2 society trailer analysis

Menace II Society trailer analysis

The trailer begins with slow and sinister music, which is non-diegetic to the shots that are being shown to the audience. It shows a teacher talking to the student about his life, and this dialogue or conversation is heard over the fast montage sequence that the trailer changes to. There seems to be cuts between the student’s life and a car drawing closer and closer to the screen, however, the meaning of the car is left ambiguous to the audience and acts like an enigma- what will happen? is raised in the audiences mind. The background music seems to be building up to a climax, and the sinister music stops when the dialogue; “All I’m saying is… survive” is heard by the audience. Then suddenly, the audience can see a gang shooting their guns out the car, the gun shots seem to separate this montage sequence with the next that is shown to the audience. Perhaps this indicates to the audience that the genre is more of a gangster movie, because of the fast paced montage sequence and the violent gun shooting.

A young male protagonist is used to create an effective identification with the main character and the audience. Particularly with young males, from black backgrounds and the problems may reflect the problems that the audience may encounter. What’s more, the trailer may fulfil a more diversion gratification for the audience, and allow for a personal identification.

Also, the 1st montage sequence seems to a short summary of his life, as it shows shots of him as a child, and perhaps could be memories and could be linked with the car drawing closer- the anti narrative, flashback shots show that the his life maybe flashing by his eyes, and that the car is the cause of this.

The trailer continues with another montage sequence, with more emotional background music, which is used in a sound bridge. The emotional music could suggest to the audience that this movie contains lose, sorrow, and sadness. However, the music is also contrapuntal to the violent gun shooting, and police arrests that are happening. This makes the scenes or shots in the trailer all the more effective.

Black males in this trailer are represented or seen to be part of gangs, and associated with violence, perhaps this gives a more negative representation of black people and gangs. However, this representation could be showing the audience the harsh reality in living on the streets in America, the streets are dangerous and makes the message of the trailer and movie more effective. Also, in the trailer there are numerous shots of the main hero or protagonist on a struggle to survive, almost, and the lament atmosphere makes the audience relate and identify with the main character, perhaps more of the main target audience (teenagers, more of a black origin) could relate to the heroes struggle in life.

There are also many shots of the main character with his friends, and family, and even a girl –who seems to take the part of the strong girl friend that helps the hero over come the problems in his life. They may be the reason why he continues to fight for his life, and shows a strong sense of unity with family, which again seems to be s major theme in this trailer.

In conclusion, the “Menace to Society” really captures the struggles in life that many people face, gang violence, family issues, etc. It allows the audience to relate to the characters, even through the trailer, showing that the movie it self will be a roller coaster of emotions. The fast montage sequences, combined with the contrapuntal background music create an effective trailer which both grabs the audiences attentions and highlights some of the mina themes.

Sundeep Kahlon