With the Packers and Steelers putting together a less than memorable game for those of us outside of Green Bay and Arlington, the ads are once again going to be the focus of conversation. Before you head to the office’s water cooler, here are my picks for the 3 best and the 3 worst commercials from Super Bowl XLV.
The Best
#3 Volkwagen – The Force
It’s a tad uncreative to use the played out song “The Imperial March,” but everyone knows who Darth Vader is and what this kid is trying to do. OK, maybe every car for sale in the country has keyless entry and a great deal have remote start, but this VW spot is one of several from automakers that utilizes humor instead of pathetically blunt selling points. This Super Bowl the cars actually beat the brew.
#2 Audi – Release the Hounds
For a few weeks now I’ve seen these Audi ads asking the luxury demographic to leave behind the conventions of old. These escapees are surrounded by the established norms and in fleeing one falls for the final trap: a Benz. Clever, funny, and makes you do a little bit of brain work.
#1 Chevrolet – Miss Evelyn
Two guys brainstorm over a TV spot for the Chevy Camaro. I typically hate movies that play toward a movie savvy crowd i.e. movies about movie making. This commercial brings some quick humor to the table without the abrasive noise of today’s beer ads (more on that late). The only thing I would have done differently is had the creatives argue over making the car a convertible or coupe. After all, the coupe has been around so GM should be introducing Americans to the new convertible. But what do I know about cars or running a business; I’ve never declared bankruptcy.
The Worst
#3 Bud Light – Dog Sitter
A guy has to sit a friend’s dogs. Lucky for him there is plenty of Bud Light and a swank pad. So he does the logical thing and forces the dogs into a slave-master relationship as they serve the guests at his party. Typical, evenly lit, mini-sitcom beer ad at your service.
#2 Snickers – Logging
Remember a year ago when people weren’t themselves when they didn’t have a Snickers? If not, this might be funny. For the rest of us minor celebs fill in for regular folks when they get grouchy. When was the last time anyone cared about Richard Lewis, and why is Roseanne Barr stealing the Betty White thunder. These revival ads are never as good as the originals.
#1 Stella Artois – Crying Jean
If you had a problem with Christina Aguilera’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” then this didn’t help. Forcing Adrien Brody on us is some kind of twisted Roberto Benigni curse. The guy has almost no real support, but he’s too young for his career to be over. So what does he do, act hipper than he could every possibly be in reality by crooning for a beer. This slow, overlong ad leaves everyone thinking one thing: WTF.
There you have it. The best and worst Super Bowl commercials from 2011. I know for a fact that some of these aren’t showing up on other lists, so you have the edge at the office.
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