Posted by Drunken Uncle Hal at ip-207-198-222-210.nyc.ny.fcc.net on June 25, 2001 at 19:13:47:
Okay, the good news is that I LOVE the trailer, and I've been showing it to people who haven't seen the film, all of whom have felt very impressed. But... I do have one complaint: you included the shot of Barret putting the gun in his mouth.
Doesn't that kinda straddle the spoiler line? Granted, you don't reveal the context or significance of that scene, but... still, it just seems like a) if people remember that image when they watch the film, they'll know more about the ending than they should, and b) people WILL remember it, 'cause it's such a striking image. One friend of mine who watched the trailer mentioned that specific scene as the one which seemed really hardcore to her, the one which stuck out. I really hope that doesn't ruin the film for anyone...
And on a similar subject: I've thought that the image on the cover, posters, etc., of Ryan pointing the gun while Barret's in the background, falls into that same category. It's not NEARLY as much of a spoiler as that one shot from the trailer, but it does reveal that, if nothing else, there's a gun in the film at some point. Maybe it's just 'cause I didn't know anything about the film the first time I saw it, but it's always seemed to me like that should be more of a surprise, like the stakes are being raised. Know what I mean?
So... I was just wondering whether or not any of this occurred to you, or if you have reasons for disagreeing with me. The Barret shot is definitely a strong image, but... maybe just a bit too revealing for the trailer.