Textural analysis of a film poster

GROWN UPS

Grown Ups is the 2010 comedic phenomenon directed by Dennis Dugan produced by Columbia starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James and David Spade. The narrative follows the reunion of five men who were on the high school basketball team and following the passing of their old basketball coach the men decide to get their families together for a reunion for the Fourth of July weekend. 

The film poster for Grown Ups is taken from a low angle which allows the audience to see the actors' full bodies and it also allows the audience to see the background of the picture which provides context on location and setting. The use of a low angle is usually connoting an empowering and intimidating character. However, in this context it is to make the audience think that they are actually going down the slide and that the fun is going to come right at them in a splash! The use of this camera angle allows the audience to establish that the men are at a water park and that they are having a lot of fun. This allows the audience to establish the setting and location of he film and it provides the information that there is going to be a scene at the waterpark and it is going to involve the men all going down the water slide together.

The use of the bright light and colour also connotes the element of fun and excitement and it also links in with the genre and the narrative of the film and the fact that the men act like kids which provides an element of comedy throughout the film. The use of the bright colours denotes happiness and joy and also the use of bright blue sky suggests that the film is set somewhere where the weather is good and that they have a big waterpark. The lighting works harmoniously with the connotation that the mood is going to be very light and that it is going to be a fun and enjoyable film to watch. The colour connotations used in this poster make it stand out and grab the audience's attention. The use of the blues show the connection to water and the waterpark within the narration, the yellow is connoting happiness and the sun which again is a happy image and the use of the red for the release date makes it stand out. The use of the primary colours which children learn early on also connotes that this is a children's film and that it is aimed at children and families and so the colours used are recognisable for children and bright to attract their attention.

The use of the image of the yellow rubber rings denotes that the narrative will involve a water park ride and also the use of the semiotics connote that there will be an element of excitement and thrill due to the image of a waterpark being portrayed in the film poster. The use of the splashing water suggests an element of unpredictability shown in the behaviour of the water and this is mirrored in the behavioural characteristics shown in the men. A waterslide and waterpark is usually conotated as a place where children and young people have fun and hang out. However, the audience are provided with hints as to what the narrative will entail with the fact that these middle aged men are going on the waterslide and acting like children and having the time of their lives which provides a genre connotation of a comedy aimed at families. The image is very appealing and appropriate for families and it is an easily established image even for young children.

The use of the highly animated facial expressions connote that the film genre is a comedy as the characters are laughing and smiling and look like they are having an amazing time, although there is also an element of fear which is usually shown through the facial expression of someone on a waterslide experiencing the thrill of the ride. Their facial expressions and body language suggest that they are having a great time although they are trying to hang onto the inflatables in order to stay on the ride.

The fact that they are all on the slide together also connotes that they are not following the rules and that they are partaking in some dangerous and unadvisable behaviour which also provides some connotations as to what the narrative will entail and what the characters are like. This isn't the behaviour you usually see from a father who is trying to set a good example for his children and so this provides a connotation as to what kind of fathers these characters are and also the kinds of lessons they are teaching their kids; this also provides a genre connotation for a comedy aimed at families. Also the character positioning used in the film poster also conotes the status and importance of each of the characters. The fact that Adam Sandler's and Kevin James' characters are positioned closer to the camera than David Spade's character conotes that they are going to be more important characters in the film and that their character will have a higher status than the other characters.

The use of costume, hair and makeup also provide the audience with information about the individual characters. All of the characters are wearing swimming shorts and a t-shirt/rash vest which denotes that they are at the waterpark and that they are partaking in the activities and enjoying the rides that the park has to offer. The use of the costumes ties in nicely with the setting and location and also the use of semiotics and props. The hair and makeup is natural and suggests the age of the characters; fathers and middle aged men.

The use of the tag line,'Boys will be boys... some longer than others' also provides information for the audience about the type of film it is going to be and also works harmoniously with the title of the film. The tag line sums up the film and also supports the image and the semiotics used. The fact that the actors in this film are well known A list actors helps to make this a good film poster and also will attract many fans and was a very clever technique used on the part of the media institution to increase the audience numbers by using well known/ famous actors. Also these actors are well known for portraying comedic roles and are in many other comedic films and so audiences associate these actors with comedy and this also works as a genre connotation and helps the audience to identify the genre of the film and they know it is going to be funny because of the great names featured in it.

Overall the use of the camera angle, mise-en-scene and connotations help to make this a great film poster and also serve well in providing the audience with enough information about the film to intrigue them but it doesn't give too much away and lets the audience know that this is going to be a hilarious film, fun for all the family to enjoy and definitely worth the watch.