Bigger, Stronger, Faster poster analysis

   Analyzing a theatrical poster.... this is a first for me.  Typically when I see these posters I'm on my way out of the theater and don't pay them much attention.  I may exclaim that I want to see the movie being advertised or make note of the graphic design if I find the poster especially aesthetically pleasing, but normally I look at them and continue on with life.  However, I now realize just how much planning must go into making theatrical posters, having to essentially summarize the entire movie in a single picture.
   The first poster, chosen for the DVD release, makes the movie appear to be more of a documentary due to its simplicity.  4 people are depicted against a white background; a sticker stating the name of the movie along with the credits covers their faces.  Covering the people's faces gives them a sense of being the everyday man: you don't know exactly who these people are, so they could be anyone from the most powerful boxer to your next door neighbor.  Using this more simple poster as the DVD cover more immediately gives the consumer a true sense of what the movie is.  When looking to buy or rent a DVD, the consumer often has a sense of what they're looking to watch.  People probably are more inclined to watch a documentary via DVD rather than in a movie theater.  A more simple DVD cover works well because if a person wants a particular DVD, they will get it at that moment in time when they see it.
   In contrast, the second poster portrays Bigger Stronger Faster as being a superhero movie.  The strong focus on well built people and the American flag, as well as the storm clouds and lightning add to this effect.  The text is done in the classic superhero movie style.  Film festivals this movie has been played in are shown at the top, separated by Greek (I think it's Greek...) style leaves, demonstrating power.  The people are standing on a mountain of pills, giving the consumer a sense of what the movie deals with.  This poster needs a more strong approach because it likely was placed in theaters and people saw it as they were walking out of the theater.  This poster is more memorable and will likely stand out longer in the consumer's mind, making them want to research the movie and view it.  People in theaters are more likely to want to view big ticket movies and this poster markets Bigger Stronger Faster as being one.