movie poster comparison

Oceans 11 Movie Poster Comparison

Credits:

The original Ocean's 11 was a 1960 heist film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring five Rat Packers: Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop.

A remake, directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy García and Julia Roberts (among others) was released in 2001, followed by a pair of sequels

Plots:

The plots of both movies are similar in the fact that a team joined together plans to rob several casinos in one night
Here are some great links with details about both the original and remake. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240772/         http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054135/

Comparison:

The movie posters are very different in format and each poster is dramatic in its own way. The original movie poster shows the four leading men as well as the leading lady in a close up view of the characters, focusing mainly on their faces and expressions. The original movie poster fit with the standard model for the popular movies in the 1960s. Featuring bold letters as well as listing the actor and actresses names under the characters images.  The title of the movie is actually listed in the lower right hand corner, instead of the top of the poster. The phrase “The Big One!” is actually listed at the top center of the poster. I was first drawn to the actor and actresses pictures then started to scan the poster for the movie title, which is printed in what could be considered small font for a title.

The remake movie poster features the actors and actresses names in a smaller font at the bottom of the poster, below the names. The remake poster doesn’t actually show any of the actor’s faces or bodies, just shadowed images of their legs against a white background. The focus is drawn towards the dominating 11 centered on the poster. Notice how the poster doesn’t even specify the full title of the movie. Perhaps the original movie was such a success that the number 11 and the actor’s names was enough of a forecaster of the content. The remake poster is definitely geared towards a modern appeal. It even sparks an interest and curiosity for movie goers to want to know more about the movie. What exactly is it about?

 Each poster features a catchy saying from the movies. The original poster displays the phrase “Nobody would have dared it because nobody else would have had the nerve! Just Danny Ocean and his 11 pals-the crazy night they blew all the lights in Las Vegas!” The Remake poster displays the saying “Are you in or out?”

 After studying the two movie posters I would say that the creator of both movies were very confident in the names of the actors to entice viewers to see the movies. The main focus on both posters is the actual actresses and actors. Not necessarily the plot or the production studios. Both movies feature the biggest names in Hollywood at both particular times.  They are similar in the marketing of the actors and actresses as well as including the catchy phrases, but the similarity stops there. Each poster conveys a strong message that fits with the time era each movie was produced in. I think it is interesting to see that movie poster’s change with society and trends.