This article is taken from Total Film, a film magazine focusing on reviewing the latest movies to hit cinemas around the globe. As the magazine is designed for film, it's important that the magazine dedicates lots of thought into the presentation of its articles.
In the review of 'Thor: The Dark World', we find that the magazine has structured the article so as to have the image dominating the page on the right, leaving the review to feature on the left. Above the article is white space which keeps the article appearing 'less busy', appealing to the audience. It also gives the illusion that the article is simple and the layout, likewise, unadorned and easily more attractive (because it makes the information more digestible to the audience). On discussing the layout of the article, the structure of the landscape orientation is very similar to the coordinated and defined structure set out in reviews and news articles online. For example, the headline, sub-heading and body text have all been used so the audience can identify that this is an article.
Despite not using a byline or stand-first, as most newspapers would usually implement, the review itself has several other features which can only be applied to magazine articles. In the top right hand corner of the article is a heading/caption which is used to provide ease for the reader who would use this to quickly file through the pages, looking for a specific review. A page number is also used. For the headings using a blue label, the colour is stereotypically a masculine colour which can be linked back to the target audience and theme for the film. Since blue is a stereotypically masculine colour, we can assume that this implies violence is a theme to be followed in 'Thor' as stereotypically, masculinity connotes strength and power. Conventionally, Marvel films/comics were once seen as something targeted at boys because of the inherent strong themes of action and brutality. However we shouldn't use the colour here as an indicator of the target audience since both genders fall into being fans of these films.
The target audience for this film is quite evidently fans of the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe'. We know this since the image Total Film uses of Thor portrays him in a strong, defiant way, wearing the characteristic costume associated with Thor. Holding Mjölnir (Thor's hammer), our reading that the film stars the Asgardian God, Thor, is right. The mise-en-scene of this, in the use of the weapon, an icon of power and destruction, ensures the genres of action and fantasy are established. On the topic of mise-en-scene, Thor is found holding Mjölnir, standing resolute in a field (often suggesting a battleground) with characters in a blur behind him. The effect of this implies the characters are moving fast, providing the reading that the characters are fighting. Therefore the theme of violence and action is reinforced here. The pure fantasy of the Norse mythology backing the film, implies it deals with fantastical and sci-fi themes. Therefore we can assume that the film's genre is that which can be defined as action, fantasy and sci-fi.
The dominant colours here (despite the red and blue) are white, grey and black. The grey sub-heading mimics the colour of Thor's costume, creating an irony to the article, providing a comical aspect. As described below, there is specific intention in the use of the pull quote, sub-heading and caption which are used for very specific purposes: to entertain and inform. Below the review is a short line stating when the film is released, provided to inform the reader and discretely persuade them to watch the film. Furthermore, two small arrows follow this to prompt the reader to read on to the next page.
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