Movie Posters Analysis

THE IRON GIANT
Poster Comparisons    

Here I have chosen a couple of posters on this movie, one was made for the film's original release in 1999, and the other was made to advertise the Signature Edition that was released in 2015/16.

These two posters choose quite a different approach in representing the movie. When you consider the eras in which each version were released, it makes a lot of sense, as one was made in a time where most people were being introduced to this concept for the first time, whereas the second was made a lot later, at a time where original movie was loved and cherished by people as a classic. 

This first poster feels a lot more dramatic, and seems to prioritise the more action and sci-fi aspects of the film, with its use of striking colours and harsh lighting. This could be a reflection of how the studio really wanted to try catch people's attention and give them the idea that they're going to be watching something very fast paced and action-packed. 

By doing this, I feel they misrepresented what the movie was really about, as for a large part of its runtime, it is generally quite light-hearted and emotional in tone, with most of the action really being towards the end. If there's one thing that puts this over the other one, it would be the showcasing of the characters. Otherwise this poster is generally inferior.

This one does a much better job at representing the movie, as the poster is a lot more serene and contemplative. It also does away with the harsh colours, instead going for a more monochromatic look, with the lighting being a lot softer.

The much calmer atmosphere is helped by the fact that the landscape behind them is quite wide and expansive, which places us as the audience alongside Hogarth on the Giant's shoulder, which I think really brings us more in touch with the two characters' relationship with each other. The first poster however shows the giant from a downwards perspective looking up, which instead places us closer to the characters below, who view the Giant as an intimidating force and a threat rather than a friendly presence like Hogarth does.