Part of the movie-going experience is the previews, and for designers, we extend that aspect to the movie posters that litter the walls of the theater. I’ll be the first to admit that I pre-judge a movie based almost entirely by its movie posters. A well-designed poster can draw you in, even if the rest of the movie falls short in important areas. So, here are eight films that had stellar, extraordinary poster art, but perhaps less-than-stellar cinematic execution.
8. Total Recall
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
I, along with most of America and much of the world, absolutely love the original version of this film; it’s an American classic! The poster for this redo version seemed to promise better; updated graphics with all of the mind-bending games that made the 1990 film so amazing. This poster illustrates lots of details with the broken glass, the futuristic robot soldiers and car, and the floating buildings. Plus, this particular poster cleverly portrays the images coming out from the main character, a play on the mind tricks that I assumed were involved in the movie itself.Why the Movie Isn’t
Yes, the action sequences and effects, especially the scene constructs, were mind-blowing, and these alone were the film’s saving grace. The acting and plot, however, didn’t do justice to the spectacular 20-year-old storyline. Immediately after Doug saves The Colony from utter annihilation in a very impressive fight sequence amidst huge explosions and gravity-defying jumps, the directors attempt one last time to approach the level of mind games from the original version. But, when we are already underwhelmed by this modernized version, the last trick from Lori is just a little too much. Really? She’s still alive after that enormous explosion? Those aren’t the kind of unexpected surprises that made the original movie so popular.What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomatoes = 5/10 IMDB = 6.3/107. The Bourne Legacy
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
There are several poster designs for this movie, and all are simple screen shots of the character with a single gun in hand, sneaking or running for his life. It’s not Matt Damon on the poster, but Jeremy Renner is an awesome action actor, so I thought he would serve as a solid replacement. This particular poster does a great job of visually portraying nonstop action with edge-of-the-seat plot twists, especially with the quote “There was never just one” scattered across the image.Why the Movie Isn’t
All of the Bourne movies were incredibly complex, so much so that it takes great concentration to figure out the plot. This one promises the same (the poster even seems to imply it with the same look as the first Bourne movie posters), but it turns out that once you figure it out, which isn’t too far into the movie, the plot is disappointingly simple.What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomatoes = 5.9/10 IMDB = 6.7/106. The Devil Inside
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
The pure creepy factor of cutting your own lip magnified by the edginess of the design drew me in. If someone could do that to themselves, it must be a crazy scary movie, right?! I got totally pulled in by the sadism; I’ll admit it. The entire poster and other posters of the movie did a great job of highlighting the anti-church and self-inflicted pain mythology that is associated with possession. So, props to the designers for creating a totally freaky poster that eclipsed the quality of the movie itself.Why the Movie Isn’t
About five minutes into the flick, I figured out the rest of the predictable plot. The premise wasn’t very original; they tried to mix it up with a little of that shaky camera technique, but that didn’t fix the lackluster plot. I wanted to be scared, but truthfully, I found the poster to be scarier than the movie itself. Kudos to the poster designers, shame on the movie directors.What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomatoes = 2.7/10 IMDB = 4/105. Soldiers of Fortune
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
Guns and big name actors. As soon as I saw this, I thought there might be the possibility that the action/war movie genre was going to have a reasonable entrant this year. I had the thrill of “Blackhawk Down” coursing through my imagination. The designers even captured that old Indiana Jones vibe with the title typography.Why the Movie Isn’t
Once I realized that the main characters were going to “Snake Island,” I should have known that this movie was going to fall short. From scene to scene, it was became clear that all the acting talent in this flick wasn’t being fully utilized. One quote in particular stuck out painfully and completely summarizes my frustration with this film: “The Grim Reaper always gets paid…” Really?! That kind of writing made this film feel very generic and derivative. With actors like Christian Slater and Sean Bean, I expected more…a lot more. This movie definitely was nothing like Indiana Jones, as the well-designed poster seemed to promise.What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomaties = 3.2/10 IMDB = 4.2/104. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
Fire. Chains. Motorcycles. Skeletor. This design, and the others for this movie, do an amazing job of bringing this mythological character to life. For those who have read the comics, there’s a brilliant story around the Ghost Rider character, and this poster captures all the angst, passion, and fire that comic book readers would expect. In fact, the poster design made me forget how bad the other movies were in this series, and I hoped that this time around would be better.Why the Movie Isn’t
Nicholas Cage trying to be the Ghost Rider. He just can’t do it anymore. And frankly I’m not sure any actor could have set this plot on fire. I kept waiting for a solid tie-in to the original Ghost Rider comics book character that I could connect with, but it never happened, and everyone in the theater wanted it too. In this installment of Ghost Rider, he gets the chance to relieve himself of his curse. This is a core concept in the Ghost Rider mythology, but the storyline doesn’t do the idea justice. This version misses a huge opportunity to delve into the real story behind the Ghost Rider and we only get a small dose.What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomaties = 3.9/10 IMDB = 4.4/103. Resident Evil
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
Milla Jovovich in a black leather suit with guns. She gets us every time and those poster designers know it! Even as a chick, I idolize Milla…after all, isn’t she the epitome of female dominance? The Russian-esque buildings are the second thing I noticed about this poster. My imagination went soaring. Even though I hadn’t jumped into the video game series, I had been faithfully watching the other Resident Evil movies, so the ideas and possibilities of Alice tearing through Russian cities immediately piqued my interest. This poster led me to believe that this one was going to be as impressive as the first movie in the series and would hopefully redeem the second and third.Why the Movie Isn’t
Maybe I’m just overly sensitive these days, but I felt that the acting was rough. Granted, it’s Resident Evil, so there’s little room for the full spectrum of human emotion, but even the basics of action acting were missing. The directing wasn’t much better. The movie begins by showing the entire first scene backwards in slow motion. Then, it recapped all of the previous movies in the same painful fashion. After a while, it felt like a fashion show, not a zombie flick. Why couldn’t they have just stuck with the raw, undisturbed action that was promised in the poster?What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomaties = 4.2/10 IMDB = 5.4/102. Act of Valor
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
Active Duty Navy Seals. What could make for a more modern, realistic war movie?. This movie poster promised all the realism we could hope for by advertising active duty Navy Seals as the stars of the film. The designers did a brilliant job of leveraging the Navy Seals side of things. The realism of the weapons and uniform are details that those of us with family members in the military notice. So when I saw this poster, I was sold immediately.Why the Movie Isn’t
Active Duty Navy Seals. The strength of this movie was also its Achilles’ Heel. These heroes are trained to undertake real heroic acts; not act or pretend like they are. You can ask a Navy Seal to save your life, limb, and country, but their training and battle-honed combat skills don’t translate perfectly to the silver screen. The poster promised realism, but the movie failed to deliver it in the dialogue department. Say what you will about the awesome fight sequences – I loved those, too – but it takes more than a couple of ultra-realistic gun fights to make a killer movie. If the acting had been just a little better, I’d give the film high marks. But it was a painful contrast to the ultra-realism that the gorgeous poster advertised.What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomaties = 4.5/10 IMDB = 6.4/101. Battleship
Why The Poster is Extraordinary
Aliens and huge guns. The effects on this marvelously-crafted poster alone were enough to get me into the theater. The enormous alien ship barreling down on the battleship, with one man on deck ready to take on the entire alien force on his own, promises all of the special effects and action I love. The poster is a beautiful, accurate visual representation of the plot, despite the inherent simplicity of the storyline.Why the Movie Isn’t
Where do I start? Bad acting, bad plot, bad humor…even the special effects and noise level were over-the-top. The film didn’t resemble the battles that went on in my head while playing the board game as a child, which is an overlooked opportunity for nostalgia. Admiral Shane (played by Liam Neesan) seems to be the most hated character by the writers. At one point, he orders a crewman to “Prepare to fire!” When the crewman asks which weapons, Admiral Shane replies, “All of them.” His lines made this movie the quintessence of cliche quotes.What Other People Thought
Rotten Tomaties = 4.6/10 IMDB = 6.6/10Conclusion
The poster designers obviously are top-notch. Unfortunately, poster designs do not make a movie. But, the pairing of successful posters with less-than-successful films is a testament that graphic designers can capture the essence and appeal of a film in a single static frame, even when directors fail to do the same in two hours of high-budget motion picture. It goes to show how much thoughtful design and creativity can resonate with an audience. Do you have any spectacular movie posters to include? Can you think of any films where the static imagery outperformed the actual film?Frequently Asked Questions about Outstanding Posters from Mediocre Movies
Why are some movie posters considered outstanding even if the movie is mediocre?
A movie poster is a form of art that is designed to capture the essence of the movie and attract potential viewers. It is possible for a movie poster to be outstanding even if the movie itself is mediocre because the designers and artists who create these posters are often highly skilled and creative. They use a variety of techniques, including color, typography, and imagery, to create a visually appealing and intriguing design. Therefore, the quality of a movie poster is not necessarily reflective of the quality of the movie itself.
What makes a movie poster memorable?
A memorable movie poster often has a unique and striking design that stands out from the crowd. It may use bold colors, dramatic imagery, or clever typography to catch the viewer’s eye. Additionally, a memorable poster often encapsulates the mood or theme of the movie in a single image, which can create a lasting impression on viewers.
How are movie posters designed?
Movie posters are designed by graphic designers and artists who work closely with the film’s production team. They often start with a brief that outlines the movie’s plot, characters, and themes. From there, they create a series of sketches and drafts, experimenting with different designs, colors, and typography. Once a final design is chosen, it is refined and polished until it is ready for print.
Can I buy original movie posters?
Yes, original movie posters are often available for purchase. They can be found on various online platforms, such as Amazon, eBay, and specialized movie memorabilia websites. However, it’s important to note that original movie posters can be quite expensive, especially if they are rare or in good condition.
Are there any collectors of movie posters?
Yes, there are many collectors of movie posters. Some people collect them as a hobby, while others see them as a form of investment. The value of a movie poster can increase over time, especially if it is rare, in good condition, or associated with a popular or critically acclaimed movie.
What are some examples of outstanding posters from mediocre movies?
Our article provides several examples of outstanding posters from mediocre movies. These include posters for movies such as “The Phantom Menace,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” and “The Rocketeer.” Despite the movies’ mediocre reviews, their posters are widely regarded as visually stunning and memorable.
How can I tell if a movie poster is original or a reproduction?
Determining whether a movie poster is original or a reproduction can be tricky. Original posters often have certain markings or characteristics that reproductions do not. For example, they may have a specific print number, a studio logo, or a certain type of paper. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with an expert or do some research online.
Can I display movie posters in my home?
Absolutely! Movie posters can make great decorative pieces for your home. They can be framed and hung on the wall, or displayed in a dedicated movie room. Just be sure to protect them from sunlight and moisture to prevent damage.
Are movie posters considered a form of art?
Yes, movie posters are widely considered a form of art. They combine elements of graphic design, illustration, and typography to create a visually appealing and compelling image. Many movie posters are highly prized by collectors and art enthusiasts alike.
How can I learn more about movie poster design?
There are many resources available for those interested in learning more about movie poster design. You can find books, online courses, and tutorials that cover the basics of design and typography. Additionally, studying the work of professional movie poster designers can provide valuable insights and inspiration.
Tara HornorTara Hornor has a degree in English and has found her niche writing about marketing, advertising, branding, graphic design, and desktop publishing. She is a Senior Editor for Creative Content Experts, a company that specializes in guest blogging and building backlinks. In addition to her writing career, Tara also enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
