Lists like these may be done to death, yet I haven’t seen one that matches up with my favorites. As an online film writer, trailers consume your life. I only find it appropriate to look back on the year and award the marketing teams that have provided us with the best works of art.
I’m willing to bet the majority of people doing what I do end up seeing more trailers then even films. We can all complain about the spoilerific trailers, or the ones that bait us into a film, only to have the end product be something completely different. But every so often, there is a stunning 1-3 minute gem that captivates, energizes, and has us pre-ordering our midnight ticket right away. Check out my top ten examples of 2010 and a few superlatives below.
The Worst Film With The Best Trailer: Skyline
The Biggest Apparent Quality Jump From Director’s Last Project: Red State
The Fanboy Disappointment Trailer of the Year: The Green Lantern
The “What The Hell Pixar?” Trailer of the Year: Cars 2
The Most Misleading Trailer: Catfish
The Best Use of Critic Quotes: Buried
The Most Audience Boos Heard In a Theater: Devil
The Trailer Least Representative of the Film: Splice
Best Commercial From An Acclaimed Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Write The Future
Best Commercial From A New Director: Carl Erik Rinsch‘s The Gift
Best Viral Video: Neill Blomkamp‘s AGM Heartland
On to the top ten:
10. Battle: Los Angeles
I always admire trailers that do something completely unexpected, and thanks to Johann Johannsson‘s creepy song The Sun’s Gone Dim and The Sky’s Black, this Battle: LA piece does just that. With the sci-fi/alien invasion cinematic onslaught occurring this decade, this teaser sets Jonathan Liebesman‘s project a part from the rest.
9. Super 8
Only J.J. Abrams would shoot a trailer months before the actual film began production. Wrapped in secrecy, his countless projects always deliver the mysterious goods, without ever revealing the bulk of the story. Working perfectly as a short film, this gave us just enough to become our most-anticipated blockbuster next summer.
8. Kick-Ass
This red-band trailer promised the superhero film to change all superhero films. While the final product didn’t necessarily affirm that pledge, the gleeful sense of fun transferred in spades. It also delivered our first look at the provocatively charming Hit Girl, one of the best characters of 2010.
7. True Grit
I can’t do nothing for you, son. Roger Deakins‘ cinematography set to Johnny Cash‘s God’s Gonna Cut You Down? This sublime mix delivered one of the most thrilling trailers this year. Unlike a few on this list, this one actually lived up to the promise.
6. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Instead of trying to mask Edgar Wright’s ahead-of-his-time skills for the mainstream audience, Universal put everything they had into this kinetic trailer. While it didn’t work out so well for them (hell, even pirates didn’t care for it), this was one early treat for fans of the comic.
5. Enter The Void
Within the first few seconds, Gaspar Noe‘s hallucinogenic visuals explode on screen and the awe sets in. As Manohla Dargis is quoted in the trailer, “this is an artist who’s trying to show us something we haven’t seen before.” As the trailer convinces, this is one mind-trip must be experienced.
4. The Social Network
A chilling preview of what would became our Best Picture frontrunner. Accompanied by a haunting a capella version of Radiohead‘s Creep, this trailer had more Facebook in it then the actual “Facebook Movie.” It also proved to audiences this isn’t just a “Facebook Movie.”
3. Dogtooth
Leave it to the Greek to come up with one of the most effective arthouse dramas of 2010. This bold trailer conveyed the audacious, uncomfortable charm that the film would deliver. Please heed the warning of “no one under 18 admitted.”
2. The Tree of Life
Supervised, but not edited by director Terrence Malick, this little piece is a thing of beauty. Better than a number of feature films this year, this stunning work of art teases just enough to grab most audiences and satisfy all Malick fans. Just remember, “some day we’ll fall down and weep, and we’ll understand it all. All things.” I bet that day is on May 27th, 2011.
1. Inception
The one trailer to rule them all. Zack Hemsey‘s Mind Heist tune will forever be implanted in my mind and we are already seeing the effects of BWRAHHHH! BRWAAAHHHHH! BWRAHHHHH! in countless copycat trailers. This preview of Nolan’s mindbender packed more intrigue, mystery and utter awe than any other trailer this year. Also, we can’t forget the daily trailer mash-ups this beast spawned.
What were your favorites trailers this year?