Being the dutiful parent of a nine-year-old boy I put in my theatre time during the opening weekend of Transformers. However, in a pleasant surprise, the movie wasn't a completely pointless excercise for moi. As a mediocre fan at best (I watched the series occasionally back in mid '80s, but never had a toy and haven't followed it since), I have a very basic understanding of the storyline. But start talking "Series 1" and the like and I'm lost. While our own Daniel Pund was quick to point out the film's weak points
(and they are plentiful) I was able to focus on the special effects and (albeit rare) witty dialogue and have a relatively good time...
But the incessant GM ad campaign that launched last week? It has me almost kissing my DVR for its ability to spare me from the belabored movie tie-in commercials featuring people's cars getting crushed by giant robots. Much more than the GM-heavy vehicle appearances in the film (which weren't as distracting as I feared) these commercials scream "Sell Out!" louder than...well, me at an Al Gore speech.
By robert4380
on July 9, 2007
07:12 AM
I do agree that the whole "Transform your ride" campaign is pretty cheesy and that anyone browsing their local newspaper might just skip over those print ads. However, GM using the movie as a promotional tool for their products is actually kind of smart. Let's face it, typical Mr. John Q. Public is usually oblivious to intentional product placement. All I know is that during the scene where Bumblebee morphed from the old Camaro into the new one for the first time, at least a dozen people sitting within earshot of me at the theater either went "Duuuuuuuuuude" or "Ohhh hellll yeah" at the same time. Maybe that's the reaction GM was looking for?
I didn't hear any sort of reaction during other scenes when the Panasonic memory card was inserted into the computer, or the HP laptop and webcam was set up for the soldier, or even when the Xbox 360 morphed into a Decepticon.
By blueguydotcom
on July 9, 2007
09:10 AM
What you're citing is the best case for a DVR. I have no idea what advertisements are on TV because we tivo what we watch. No more ads. TV watching is so much better when you can watch something a half hour or a day or a week late and bypass all the fluff.
BTW, was it just me or did the tricked out Mustang police car look really vicious, while the 09 Camaro was just sorta bland and banana-ish?
By editor_karl
on July 9, 2007
09:23 AM
You may be right, though I remember thinking, "Okay, that Mustang looks really good, but is that because of its styling/wheels/paint/exhaust or simply because it's a sign that GM didn't have a complete, draconian grip on this movie's vehicle contract?"
Either way, I liked seeing it.
By carlisimo
on July 9, 2007
11:20 AM
I've read that DVRs are a primary reason that advertisers are moving towards embedded advertising like this movie - the days of TV ads are numbered, so it's time for ads we really can't avoid.
We've created a monster!
By blueguydotcom
on July 9, 2007
12:55 PM
Carlisimo, I don't mind product placement in film. I see 40-50 movies a year at the theater and we live off netflix. Product placement's obvious and fine. As long as the story continues to move forward, push all the products you want.
By editor_karl
on July 9, 2007
01:15 PM
Still love the dig on product placement in the first Wayne's World movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfKCxidNQ3I&mode=related&search=
By george2040
on July 9, 2007
02:23 PM
Rather than an advertizing campaign based on movie product placement, one blog reader elsewhere made the excellent suggestion of a Hyundai style long warantee based marketing plan. I would narrow the focus to a 10 year warantee for just Cadillac to limit the cost. A long warantee would do a lot more to get me to consider GM than a movie/toy tie in.
# Gardiner Westbound:
July 5th, 2007 at 10:08 am
With his turnaround plan swirling around the bowl, Wagoner should bring forward a confidence inspiring warranty at least the equal of Hyundai’s.
Poor Cadillac reliability recently put us into a Japanese-made car. Why would we assume a risk GM is avoiding? An honest 10-year warranty might have bridged the gap.
Cadillac advertises world class quality. GM should put its money where its mouth is.
source: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=4067&cp=2#comment-58456
By mnorm1
on July 9, 2007
03:08 PM
Karl, feel free to take all the cheap shots you want at Algore.
But on the other hand; who knew a Prius would do over a 100, while playing Tipper approved Donnie Osmond cds?
I haven't seen the movie yet, but my kids tell me there is no story to get in the way of the plot. They rated it better the Spiderman 3.
By editor_karl
on July 9, 2007
03:18 PM
An inconvenient speeding ticket?
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
By carlisimo
on July 9, 2007
03:57 PM
An inconvenient youth =p.
But I don't get what the 100mph astonishment is all about. A car that can't do 100 will barely make it up the Grapevine with a full load... I've owned a Tercel, I know it all too well.
By 1487
on July 10, 2007
07:35 AM
people in the theater started gasping and clapping when they saw that 2010 camaro, it was crazy.
Transformers isnt for people of Karl's age anyway, for people who were kids when the cartoon was out it was good. I give it a B+, if not an A.
The GM product placment was nice and the lusty soundtrack from the V8 (that probably wasnt in the Camaro) was intoxicating. Even I wanted a Camaro after seeing that movie.
By SubyTrojan
on July 10, 2007
10:39 AM
I must admit one of my favorite moments in the movie was when Bumblebee upgraded himself after Megan Fox disrespected him. Even in "beater" form, the small block V-8 sounded really nice! The new Camaro in the movie made me want one, but I'll take a next-generation STI over the new Camaro thank you very much.
The Camaro Z28/SS was my favorite car from 1993-2002 (before that, the Dodge Stealth R/T was my favorite and after that, the Subaru Impreza WRX). The fact that I was easily able to turn laps in my WRX (not STi) faster than a person driving a 1998-2002 Camaro SS around Buttonwillow Raceway back in April killed some of the love I once had for the beloved pony car.
By 1487
on July 10, 2007
10:48 AM
i'm pretty sure the new one is going to be light years ahead of the old F body Camaro. I envision it as a cheaper alternative to the G37 and 335. I hope it sounds like the movie version.
By tiruvan
on November 2, 2007
06:57 AM
Only two good things in that movie
1. The Ford Mustang (Police car)
2. The Camaro's (both old and new were great looking)
and Megan Fox ... OK that's three but you know what kept me going through the movie ... don't ya!