Despicable Me 3 (2017): Trailer Analysis

The trailer for Despicable Me 3 begins with medium and long shots that encapture the suburban life that Gru has been living since giving up evil. The dreamy, emotional music portray a touching narrative that appeals to families. The slow pace adds to the music to show the normality of his new life. This suburban family life is shown at the equilibrium stage of the narrative.

This is disrupted early on, with the introduction of his twin brother. When he meets his brother there is a bird's-eye view of the two. The slow-motion highlight the difference in clothing and attitudes between the brothers - Gru is emotionally unintelligent, wearing all black and grey, where Dru is stereotypically effeminate, wearing all white. The more upbeat music at this point, also helps to highlight the differences in the brothers' lifestyles. The long shots and close ups of the private island that Dru lives on shows a great contrast between their lives as it is much different from the shots of the suburban life at the beginning.

The realisation stage comes when Gru sees the extravagance of his brother's life. He realises that his own life has been dull since he gave up evil for a family life. He tries to repair this by going on one last heist with his brother. Towards the end of the trailer, the pace gets faster to show the more exciting life he is living on the last heist. We are left asking many questions, for example, how will the balance in Gru's life be restored, and what does the final heist entail? These enigmas entice the audience to go and see the film.

Throughout the trailer there is limited but key dialogue to ensure that the story isn't given away. The music is also stopped when jokes are made as a genre indicator - to highlight the comedy aspect of the film.

Steve Carell is shown as a unique selling point to the film, as he is the main name highlighted in the trailer. The Despicable Me films are part of a franchise, and so already have a captive audience. The captive audience is targeted through use of the same actors and characters, for example, the continued use of the minions to, again, highlight the comedy and family nature of the film.