The Hobbit

While there are many who are upset about the splitting of "The Hobbit" into three full-length films, it is clear from this trailer that the rhetorical situation was very well addressed. The audience is all people from around 8 to 50 years of age, (those that understand and still enjoy watching movies!). The audience is also addressed by the trailer stating that it is a branch off of "The Lord of the Rings" films. The creator establishes credibility by showing that it is he that backed the making to "The Lord of the Rings," implying that, by their fame, "The Hobbit" can and will be a success as well. It is appealing to the audience in that the trailer show humor, action and music that captivate and appeal to each viewer differently, depending on his of her tastes.

Very well done Peter Jackson, now if you'd only have taken two movies to complete the story...

Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride

This mini-film was addressed to the passengers of Air New Zealand as a instructional safety video. They were expecting the boring, monotone voice of the flight attendant to do the same old routine of running through the safety instructions aboard the plane. Instead the film was a spoof of the Hobbit with the passengers being characters from the movie. The flight attendants were beautiful elves with soothing voices that made you want to listen to them. The melodic music in the background also makes the instructions more appealing and it is fun for the audience. Having a very calm background of the sun shining through the windows in a warm, comfortable way makes the aura of the movie very appealing to an audience that may not think flying is enjoyable. The Hobbit is a popular movie and by parodying it with the flight attendant lecture the audience will be more engaged to see what funny connections and quotes will come up. The film is relevant to the audience  in that they are flying and need to hear the safety instructions. It is also relevant in that they are connecting it to a popular movie that most people have seen. The slow panning of the camera and the warm light also gives the movie a slow, calm feel.

Iron Man 3

Who is the audience? Every action-loving move-goer. The Midnight Showing will be cramped with excited high school students, maniacal comic fans, and the occasional reminiscent adult. Truly, this movie is made for everyone, and everyone enjoys a bit of the excitement through this trailer.
This clip grabs the viewer early on and never lets go. I was originally drawn in by the somber, nostalgic tone mismatched with what is usually the arrogant voice of Tony Stark. Mysterious foreshadowing of an unknown enemy then throws the viewer into several explosive scenes of action, fear, and dread.
The clip ends just in time to leave the viewer with no hope at all. It is at that point that I remembered that this is an American action movie and regardless of the depressing tone of the trailer, the movie will more or less end happily ever after. This clip is entirely satisfying, however, in that the viewer is still puzzled as to how Iron Man is going to make it out of this one alive.
This trailer invites the viewer in with foreboding dialogue, impresses with flashy action scenes, and mystifies through a secretive antagonist and an unsure outcome. All in all, this trailer has got it right!