Empire Magazine Analysis: INCEPTION

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We can see straight away that the character in the main cover image of this Empire magazine is in a dream-scape type environment that can be found in the narrative of the film, this sets the theme for the issue.

Leo has been lit with low-key lighting in this image which goes well with the stormy coloured background behind him, it connotes darkness and seriousness. He has also been photographed from a low angle which represents his power in the plot of the film. A bright red has been used for the Empire masthead and Inception main cover line. The red gives connotations of threat and warning representing danger. The typography to the left and right of Leo has been sized in a way that creates a corridor like form creating a sense of isolation and gives the image an extra dimension which is conventional to the iconography of the film with its rotating corridors and primrose stair sets.

The character in the main cover image has been posed in a way that gives relaxed connotations which contrasts strongly with his facial expression and pistol. This has been done to represent the unhinged part of the characters persona which creates interest for the viewer. The characters costume is also very corporate in style which leads to the influence of having a corporate style font for the cover lines.

As a whole the magazine cover looks quite enigmatic, with a business man nonchalantly holding a glock pistol with a very serious look on his face and text that creates the form of a corridor with pieces of folding city in the background. Together these signs create connotations of complexity and mystery and represent the films psychological nature.