#abbyrambles

I’ve been meaning to do this for a few months, however recently I’ve been really missing Media studies, and I want to do more poster analysations over the course of Summer. So I did this today in order to get back into analysing, since I haven’t really examined anything other than my own coursework (which isn’t really all that fun if I’m honest)

Green = nature = Lloyd is Green Ninja (Ninja of Life) = green/nature/life often associated with “growth” = implies growth happens within film, also implies Lloyd is the cause of that growth (as he is the Ninja of Life).

Green = nature = nature associated with “peace” = ninja fight for peace. Also links in with idea of finding balance between light and dark (like Yin and Yang, which links in with the cultures portrayed within film)

Bamboo = One of the places used within film = could be considered a significant part as it marks the point where Lloyd is forced to work with his father, which helps lead on to the ending of the movie.

Bamboo = climbing up away from darkness and toward the light = have to work towards the light = Master Wu briefly talks about them being “true ninja”, implying that because of their mechs it hinders them from becoming these true ninjas that Wu tells them they need to be, so when Garmadon attacks and Ninjago City falls (ruled by the “darkness”), the ninja have to go to the jungle and become the true ninja that Wu wants them to become. In doing so they are also saving Ninjago City from the “darkness”, so therefore, are working towards light again.

Sun shining through bamboo = Ninja climbing towards it = connotes they are working for the good side. Also suggests to audience how film could end peacefully, since they are heading towards light and away from darkness. Light only coming through gaps = implies the goal they are headed towards won’t be easy to get to.

Tagline = “find the ninja within ya” = Rhymes = stick’s better in the T/A’s head. Tagline is also addressing the audience = invites audience to join the story/become ninja alongside the protagonists = could also imply part of the movie’s message is finding the motivation or “fight” within you, making you try your best and excel in the things you love and are passionate about.

Tagline is also the same colour as Lloyd’s colour scheme/overall colour scheme of the poster. Connotes Lloyd is finding his inner ninja/you are finding your own power alongside him. Can link to the idea of Lloyd not having elemental powers whilst his friends do, meaning he had to find his own power within himself, much like the audience might do (as they do not have elementals either)

“The LEGO” = small, white font. “LEGO” is in capital letters, much like how the logo of the company is. Also capitalized as LEGO is a well known, worldwide brand that is recognised by many people. Fans of LEGO see it is a LEGO movie and become interested in seeing film. Typeface in white = white connotes innocence = innocence is associated with children = child friendly movie = appeals to parents of children also.

“NINJAGO” = large, red font. Biggest word on the poster = stands out the most. Use of accent colour (red) also makes it stand out more. Located in centre of poster = first thing T/A sees. Ninjago fans see title = attracts their attention.

Red = connotes war = war going on between Lloyd and Garmadon (Good vs Bad/Light vs Dark), or possibly the war being put aside between those two so they can both fight Meowthra.

Red = connotes adventure = implies to audience that the film is full of action/adventure.

Red = connotes aggression/anger = could link to Lloyd’s anger towards his father, maybe also Ninjago’s anger towards Garmadon/Lloyd (cos destruction and all that). Possibly even anger Garmadon feels about not changing and letting Koko take his son away.

Red = connotes love = links to Lloyd and Garmadon putting their differences aside and bonding with each other, resulting the film’s ending. Garmadon loving his son and Lloyd learning to love his dad despite it all.

Lloyd: Looking directly at audience (D.M.O.A) and holding out hand to you = inviting you to come on the journey with the characters = friendly personality. Smiling = suggests character is happy however this is different to how he is portrayed in the film, as we know he tends to fake a smile in front of others. Green = associated with “Go” = implies he takes action within the film and steps up as a leader. Blonde hair = can be associated with characters with good morals as yellow is a bright colour that is linked to happiness and joy, which is what Lloyd brings when he is saving Ninjago from Garmadon. However, yellow also can connote dishonesty, betrayal and jealousy = these could link in with moments in the film where Lloyd went behind the ninja’s back to use the Ultimate Weapon on Garmadon, and also later on in the jungle when the other ninja are listening to his father and ignoring him. Green eyes = connotes he is protagonist to the audience as it is a characteristic only he has (aside from Garmadon, who is the antagonist). Only character without a mask on = further connotes to audience he is main focus of the film. Biggest anchor image on the poster = another implication to the audience he is the protagonist.

Jay: Looking off to the side in fear = anxious/nervous personality = cautious with his actions. Gesture code = hugging the bamboo = connotes further he is a nervous person = needs comforting. Blue is associated with confidence = expression suggests he is the opposite of confident = creates irony. However, blue could also suggest that by the end of the movie he gains more confidence in himself, which leads to him unlocking his powers. Blue can also be linked to technology = Jay is a very technical person = intelligent. Colour is often associated with water too = crush on Nya. Weapon = flail = lone range weapon = suggests he prefers to fight from afar rather than up close = links to his cautious and nervous personality = also implies he as a person prefers to stay far away from a situation if he can = doesn’t enjoy fighting = dislikes violence/lacks enough confidence to stand up/fight for himself

Zane: D.M.O.A = Illuminative blue eyes = intimidating = scary in combat. Eyes also imply to audience he is a robot. White connotes innocence = naive one of the group. White = protection = made to protect those who cannot protect themselves (hah). White = precision = implies further he is a robot. Colour = simplicity = could link in with stereotypical behaviour of a robot following simple instructions/possibly links to his want to be more human as he follows a basic set of rules/instructions he thinks will make him appear more human to his peers. White also associated with winter = elemental power is ice. Aiming bow and arrow with legs rather than arms = skilled/powerful = links back to implication of him being scary in combat.

Cole: Black = connotes mystery/anonymity = quiet character/doesn’t have a lot to say/likes to keep to himself. Black also connotes unhappiness = may be why he is quiet/blocks out world with music. Colour also suggests death = his possible unhappiness may link in with loss of parent = explains why he blocks out the world with music. Only gi without sleeves = implies strength = elemental is earth/strong enough to cause earthquakes/move the earth. Arched eyebrows = confident personality. Weapon = Hammer = can cause a lot of damage = links to his elemental.

Kai: Red = love/passion = cares about his friends = encouraging and friendly personality which is mostly evident when around Lloyd or Nya (shown when Nya is attacked by Garmadon and Kai steps in, or at the start of the movie where Kai shows excitement around Lloyd upon seeing him arrive at school). Also cares about Ninjago City = protective/willing to risk his life. Red also connotes anger/frustration = implies he is hot-headed/easy to anger = does more things on impulse instead of thinking things through. Angry expression further connotes this to audience. Weapon : two katanas = further implies he acts on impulse. Prefers close combat instead of ranged attacks = likes to be in on the action = likes taking action/gets an adrenaline rush.

Nya: Black/Grey = connotes power = powerful character in combat. White streak on uniform = binary opposites = suggests different personalities depending on what situation she is in/who she is in front of (friends or enemies). Angry expression similar to her brother’s = similar personalities = suggests they have a lot in common = get along well/look out for each other. Weapon is a spear = suggest she has great aim/accuracy, may also suggest she has graceful/elegant fighting style in battle. D.M.O.A = invites girls to join the movie as well = widens T/A (no gender specific audience)