I just watched a commercial for united airlines, and I’m confused. The commercial started out normally enough. The typical businessman leaves his home, spots a tire swing in his front yard, and then returns to tuck in his kid. This is normal, this I understand.
Then, whoever is writing the commercial’s drugs kick in. The man leaps into the air, landing on what seems to be a giant swan. As he’s riding the swan, his suit changes into a suit of armor. He leaps from the swan and arrives at an ancient table in the middle of a forest where several other armored men are waiting, reminiscent of Elrond’s council. Then, a dragon attacks. The man slices the table into six triangular sections with his sword, which become shields for his charging army. They defeat the dragon, and some women crown the man king, and all the other armored men bow before him. Then man is then walking home in his suit and tie, and presents his son with a statuette of a dragon.
Gentlemen, I ask you… WTF?
Not that I can’t see the vague symbolism between that and an actual business trip, mind you. Commercials are just growing more and more convoluted. Its only a matter of time before I see a commercial featuring a dinosaur eating a caveman, and it being a commercial for McDonalds.
In other news, I’m playing La Pucelle Tactics for the PS2. Its the first Japanese game I’ve played in awhile, so it was a nice change of pace. I’m thinking I’ll finish this up and actually play Star Ocean: Till the End of Time after I’m done. I bought that game the day it came out, and never finished it. Not because it wasn’t good (quite the contrary), but because I got preoccupied with other things.
Well, Mythbusters is on, so I’m going to go.
Zel-kun out.
David N. Scott | 01-Mar-06 at 12:42 pm | Permalink
Speaking of McDonalds, this reminds me of those McDonalds commercials where Ronald uses his burger magic to do weird crap at the Olympics. They aren’t horrible to watch or anything, but it sure seems several steps removed from giving me any ‘EAT DA BURGER’ commands…
Zel-kun | 01-Mar-06 at 1:50 pm | Permalink
*nod*
I find it more and more rare for a commercial to actually make an attempt at making their product appealing. More and more its along the lines of ‘We exist! This is our name.’
Its rare to see a food company say, ‘Hey, our food is tasty, come try some.” At best, it advertises how healty and/or cheap it is.
Really, I can only think of two types of companies that stick to the merits of their commodities.
1. Insurance companies - Mainly Geico, Progressive, and All-State. And All-State really sells on those commercials too. If I wasn’t so happy with Progressive, I’d switch.
2. Delivery Companies - FedEx pretty much corners this market. I can’t really remember ever seeing a DHL commercial.
I can’t really think of anything else, but I’m sure there’s others. I watch three channels (Discover, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network) for maybe an hour or so a day, so my knowledge of commercials is probably iffy at best.
Sabrejack | 01-Mar-06 at 3:37 pm | Permalink
That’s true.. there’s another category: Food commercials that tell you what a great time you’ll have (rather than the quality of the food.) That’d be chuck-e-cheese’s for the kids, dave and busters for the adults.. TGIF, Applebee’s, and other such places often do this too.. (though I see the “cheap” ads run as well.) I think some people are afraid to make quality promises.
Zel-kun | 01-Mar-06 at 4:18 pm | Permalink
Its sad, being as Friday’s kinda sucks. Its way too crowded for my liking, the food is only mediocre, and the seats are uncomfortable.
Bennigan’s has adds like that. And boy do I hate Bennigan’s. I’ve been there five times and have yet to leave satisfied. I gave that place way too many chances at the behest of my friends, and it has failed everytime to give me good food and service.
(one or the other a couple times, but never both)
Sabrejack | 01-Mar-06 at 5:03 pm | Permalink
I enjoy the Jack Daniels steaks at Friday’s but that’s basically it. I usually go around 5:00 or so when they’re not crowded and it works out alright. I’ve never had the sort of fun time they depict in the commercials, though, that’s for sure.
David N. Scott | 03-Mar-06 at 1:52 am | Permalink
Friday’s is too expensive, too. I like their appetizers but never get out for under $50. Their food just isn’t that good…