Representation: Taken trailer analysis

epresentation: Blog task

Watch the trailer for Taken and complete the following tasks:

 

Create a new blogpost called 'Introduction to Representation' and embed the Taken trailer in the post.

1) List the different people/groups represented in the trailer (men/women/Americans etc.)

Liam neeson is represented as the hero as he is the father and his daughter is abducted and he goes all the way to France to save her. His wife and daughter are almost always crying which may suggest that women are always upset and have break downs.
2) For each group you identify, decide whether the representation isa dominant or alternative portrayal. Explain why you think this.

For Liam Neeson it is a dominant portrayal because he is shown as strong and is able to defend himself as well as his family and it is shown many times in the trailer. His wife also a alternative portraiture she is always crying and upset which shows that women are always weak and cry.
3) What stereotypes can you identify in the trailer? 

The villains are foreign this is typical of american movies, another movie stereotype is how Liam Neeson is the main hero as he is brave and strong also his daughter is the victim and she plays the damsel in distress.
4) Why might the Taken trailer offend or alienate certain groups?

Because the women in the movie are always in distress and are always crying this may give a bad image to women which may offend many people.
5) Why do mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes?

Because they are all based around the same story-line which is someone goes missing or is kidnapped and the man the hero as to go and find out what happened to them.