Film Preview: Hidden Figures (2016)

Page Revisions:

(August 21, 2016) Original
(November 13, 2016) New Release Date (changed from 1/13/17)
(November 20, 2016) New Trailer (#2)
(December 25, 2016) New Posters (#2-#5)

Release Date:

December 25, 2016

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “A team of African-American women provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program’s first successful space missions.”

Poster Rating: B / A- / C- (3)

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Review: (#1) It’s a simple design, but it speaks volumes about the film. The NASA symbol is a dead giveaway, but the rocket being propelled into the sky, the result of these women’s actions is symbolically presented. Add into this the confidence these women possess and you have a fairly strong design.

(#2) I’m not typically a fan of white backgrounds, but this design doesn’t allow for much reference to the background. Plenty of foreground detail and small textural details to the background make for an interesting design. (#3-#5) These character posters have lovely messages, but are otherwise dull and uninteresting.

Trailer Rating: B+ / B

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Review: (#1) The trailer design is conventional, but the story presented is far from it. This important story needs to be told and the trailer gives great confidence that it will be done well. Faced with racism, sexism, and misplaced doubt, these women don’t bow in the face of pressure and that strength should help bring those empowered by them to the theaters.

(#2) While the second trailer doesn’t do much to embellish on the first trailer, it doesn’t do enough to carry that momentum forward. It’s a commonplace trailer that suggests plenty of interesting story line potential without fully capitalizing on it.

Oscar Prospects:

Based on the premise alone, this should be a major Oscar player, but the release date suggests that the studios have no confidence in the film, which is a shame.