Film Preview: Macbeth (2015)

Page Revisions:

(September 6, 2015) Original
(November 29, 2015) New Posters (#7-#11)

Release Date:

December 4, 2015

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Macbeth, a duke of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.”

Poster Rating: B+ / B- / C (2) / C+ (2) / C / C+ / C- (2) / D

SEE ALL POSTERS BELOW
Review: (#1) The white background is a bit of a disservice, but the rest of the design is so gloriously detailed that you can forgive a minor imperfect. (#2) It was unnecessary to take the original design and run it through a red filter, even if you are highlighting the bloody truth of the film’s narrative.

(#3 & #4) With no physical depth to these designs, you may be drawn to their figures, but they seem otherworldly, which doesn’t appropriate sell them. (#5 & #6) This improves on the prior two character posters by giving them some background color and positioning them as real people, not stage-bound characters.

(#7) Using a familiar image from the trailer doesn’t give the poster design gravitas, especially when it’s not particularly lively. (#8) In the same color scheme as the prior design, this one is a bit more vibrant in terms of suggested action, but it’s still not a great design. (#9-#11) The first two wholly generic designs are blended unceremoniiously together in the third, which creates a bland hodge-podge rather than a sufficient and compelling design.

Trailer Rating: C+

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Review: You can see the attempts at artistic expression in the trailer with the frequent shots of slow motion combat, but it doesn’t compensate for a trailer that feels both overlong and underdeveloped. Those who are already familiar with the story might be intrigued, as might anyone who’s a fan of Fassbender or Cotillard. However, a cross-section demographic appeal isn’t in store.

Oscar Prospects:

A hefty contender for the Oscars, Micheel Fassbender and Marion Cotillard are sure to be on shortlists for nomination and the film looks like it might bring the Academy back to the feet of Shakespeare, a man whose work they’ve embraced at numerous points in its long history.