[imdb Up]Why does Pixar feel it needs to inundate its trailers with the logos from its past films? Jr. the Lamp is recognizable enough, we don’t need a list of Pixar’s credentials. I’m such a child, as soon as I spy Jr., I wet my pants in excitement. “What new savory delight does Pixar have in store?” I do not need to be reminded of the company’s past hits. Up, I firmly believe, can stand on its own merit, or trailer, as the case may be.
That being said, Up’s trailer does a great job of setting the story. I’ve always found these sorts of adventure stories, where the characters are lost, especially in a balloon, a tad dull. I guess I was more the swashbuckling type, rather than the explorer type. However, in just two minutes, the trailer author manages to perfectly introduce us to these three unique characters. I am always more interested in the story if the characters are awesome. You could have a movie set in a barcode factory, where the characters draw lines all day, but if those characters are well fleshed out, I’ll sit through the whole film.
This trailer also nicely highlights the humor. All of the little bits takes (“No,” and slamming the door; “Squirrel;” little boy dragged across the bad guy’s window) were neatly timed. Those little takes, like when the GPS goes out the window, are more reminiscent of Looney Toons than early Disney. There are some heavy vaudeville influences in the humor in the film. I sense there will be some nice, unexpected laugh out loud moments in store.
[imdb Where the Wild Things Are]I think it is a good sign when a trailer leaves you with tears in your eyes. I am among thousands of readers that can claim Where the Wild Things Are as a classic favorite, so I’m sure I’m not the only person that get goosebumps watching this trailer. The author did an amazing job of capturing the desperation Max feels that pushes him to take refuge in his imagination. The little details in his real life juxtaposed with mirrored clips in his imagination gives the viewer a very quick view into the theme of the film.
The song chosen is perfect; the syncapated notes remind me of the part in the book where the wild things and Max dance around their campfire. The right music can make a trailer flow nicely, and, paired with the video clips, the song can ilicite just the right emotions. The crecendos in the music are timed nicely with epic moments in the story, like the dark clouds rolling in the crashing of the waves.
The moment in the trailer that gives my heart a little squeeze is the cascade of running clips, with Max in his adorable little wolf suit running away from the camera in different settings. The small touch shows the breadth of settings in the film. It also, at once, puts the audience in Max’s shoes, running with him, and makes it so that we feel he is just out of our grasp and we’re racing to catch up with him. It’s a very cool technique.
I’m super excited to see how this film adapted the book, but just from seeing the few clips in the trailer, I’m bouncing in my seat! The only thing I can think to criticize is that I know this is just a teaser and there will be another trailer to come…but I wish there wasn’t. I wish the promotional people would just push the teaser and not spoil the rest of the film as they no doubt will. What is with trailers having to give away all the good parts? Is it by demand of the audience, or do trailer authors simply see us as mindless drones. When it comes to trailers, I think we should leave them as a fine amuse bouche: a delight to the senses that leaves us hungry for more (which we will eventually get, by shelling out $11-$14 bucks).
