Every media outlet seems to have their own way of measuring the success of Super Bowl ads. USA Today, for example, has the preposterous Ad Meter, which measures the second-by-second impressions of 282 people in two American towns as the commercials air. By that ridiculous metric, commercials featuring dogs were the best ads last night. (Ordinarily, I wouldn't disagree with anything that ranks commercials with dogs at the top, but I wasn't won over by the selections last night.)
Elsewhere -- the bar where I watched the game, for instance -- the slapstick violence of Bud Light and Pepsi Max won crowds over. I could tell by the way they barked and clapped like seals when people got hurt. Ha ha, a black man looked at a white woman, so the black lady hit her with a can of cola. Excellent concept, Pepsi.
But forget what the braindead masses liked. For YOU, the human being who is capable of independent thought and critical analysis, I have compiled the five best ads that aired during Super Bowl XLV. Please don't try to disagree with me, because I arrived at these results by using the ironclad scientific method of my opinion.
It's odd: I didn't particularly like this commercial, but its concept is so daringly batsh*t insane that I can't help but be impressed. Although the ending could have been improved if Alanis Morissette showed up and blew away all the Aztecs and driven off in the car. No? Am I the only one who remembers Dogma? That's probably for the best.
People are divided on this one: some loved it, others found Eminem's endorsement a joke given that he shilled for Brisk Iced Tea earlier in the night. It's a shame that Chrysler watered down its message by using an unnecessary and divisive spokesman, because the concept and writing for the ad is terrific.
I thought the slapstick violence used by Pepsi Max, Snickers, and Bud Light was insulting, and yet I like this ad in which a kid gets hit with a cane. What's the difference? This has an intelligent premise: I like the way that it spoofs the old Coke commercial with Mean Joe Green, which I always found stupid and sappy.
If you're remotely Internet-savvy, you were one of the 13 million or so people who watched this last week. That doesn't make it any less adorable.
Hands down the best commercial of the night. While VW's "Force" is charming, it has a single punch line built around one aspect of its car. This Audi spot is smartly and cohesively built around the tag line "Escape from the confines of old luxury," and it does a great job of taking that metaphor and making it literal. Along the way we get some action, several jokes, and a very clear message in which Audi distances itself from Mercedes. Good job, whichever advertising agency made this. You evil reptiles.
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No love for Dragons, Trolls, and Ape people that have harnessed the power of bubbly brown sugar water?
The Teleflora “Your rack is unreal” ad was my favorite.
So the message of the Kia ad is….mexicans steal?
The Audi “Luxury” ad campaign is terrible. The ads are creepy and it sends mixed messages on luxury. And it needs more monkeys.
Solid list overall — I was starting to think that I was the only one who was crazy over the Audi commercial. One change — remove the Kia ad and replace with flower ad: “Dear Girlsnamehere: I think you have a great rack.”
The best parts of the Audi ad are the signs. DO YOU HAVE GOUT?
I’m just a simple minded ham fisted mongoloid, but I thought the Bud Light dog party was the best and that shitty Stella beer commercial was the worst.
No love for the Doritos commercial with pug? Anyone taunting a dog with food through a glass door deserves that. All in all, those were some of the better ones.
Bud Light dog party reminded me of the dog party at the end of “Go Dog Go” and that is why it was my favorite commercial of the night.
The Doritos commercial, where a guy sprinkled Doritos dust on his friend’s grandpa’s ashes and brought him back to life was pretty good.
The NFL’s Ad was pretty cool.
My favorite ad of the night was definitely the new Justified promo:
[www.youtube.com]
Although that may not have aired until after the game was over?
Aside from that, the Audi ad was #1 for me as well.
@GiantCrab: I definitely liked that grandfather Doritos one. Hard to narrow it down to just five, and I think my dislike of junk food may have colored my opinion.
Roseanne getting hit in the face isn’t a top five? What the hell man?
I enjoyed seeing Marcia Brady get hit in the nose with the football.
Glad to see the Doritos/Grandpa spot getting some love. Only real laugh of the whole game. (Not including all of the Steelers turnovers.)
@UU – “Do you like my hat”?
I was baffled by the Stella ad. Were they making fun of Brody’s nose and going for irony? They angles they used, especially the profile shot, made that thing look like something you’d use to frighten children.
@ILPHAPH, “No, I do not like your hat.”
I enjoyed the careerbuilder ad where the monkeys block that guy in in the parking lot. Then again, I’m a sucker for chimps dressed like humans doing human stuff.
I see I am not the only one here with a three year old.
I do not like that hat. Bitch.
Chrysler ad – where’s the part about taking a ton of taxpayer money to make crappy cars no-one wants?
I agree Roseanne getting hit was great.
I was a big fan of the Silverado Lassie commercial that seems not to be getting much love.
The Chrysler ad – That car would have been stripped the second he went into the church.
Stella Ad – A metaphor for Brody’s career. Lots of crying and him drinking alone.
All the home made Doritos and Pepsi MAx ads were terrible.
I’m partial to “Cram It In The Boot.”
Dude, the Doritos commercial where the guy is resurrecting fish and houseplant and grampa with nacho crumbs was pretty good,the Teleflora ad was funny,but Darth Vader Jr. gets my vote. Yeah, Im a Star Wars geek and I’m VW drove a dumptruck full of money up to Lucas’ doorstep just to do that spot, but who gives a shit.
I may be a cold heartless bastard (okay, I know I am) but I just don’t find that VW commercial special at all.
Maybe it’s because I’m not a Star Wars fan or maybe it’s because I think the kid is a big idiot if he thinks he has superpowers. Either way, in my opinion, that commercial wasn’t top 5 material.
Wait wait wait… how is there no love for a Sealy commercial that very plainly says “fucking feels better if you do it on our product”?
MINI – Cram it in the boot! The 60 second version plays much better: [www.youtube.com]
Agreed; the Cram It in the Boot had it all; advocating heterosexual anal sex, making fun of British English, and “Mini” possibly meaning penis size. I think that ’bout covers it.
The Audi commercial was single most dumb fucking ad of the entire night … Are they one of your sponsors or something?
What’s goin’ on? Their friggin’ commercials.. They interfere with your favorite sitcom.. Their to sell NOT to entertain.. Cheech, get a life..!!