100 Best Trailers (2/2)

# 9
HARD CANDY

Completely out of left field, this indie had one of the creepiest trailers of the year. It’s not your typical horror film (and not classified as such) but this clip really makes you squirm. The lighting and cinematography of this preview are phenomenal, while the edit is tight and jarring. The jump cuts sneak in a lot a visual information meant to traumatize and intensify the message. This is a great example how to attract mainstream audiences to an indie film.

# 8
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Instead of your typical collection of clips glued together with a hip soundtrack from, let’s say… Gwen Stefani, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA kicks it old school. Much like some of the earliest movie trailers, this extra long trailer is one long clip from the start of the movie. While some of the final footage is excised from the clip to trim some exposition, this trailer is a rare example of risk taking. For such a high caliber project, I was glad to see the suits didn’t shitcan creativity by copying some other trailer.

# 7
BEE MOVIE

Jerry Seinfeld’s upcoming animated movie has a live-action teaser… of Seinfeld and Chris Rock dressed up as their characters. There’s nothing quite like the two funniest stand-up comedians on the planet together taking the piss out of themselves for the whole world to see. Once again, a great innovative effort from Seinfeld makes this teaser incredibly memorable and the hype on this flick through the roof.

# 6
THE BREAK-UP

If you have a good memory, you’ll notice that THE BREAK-UP placed last year on my list of best trailers. #22 in fact. This time around, the full length trailer ranks even higher because this clip is even funnier. Not to mention, this clip shares almost nothing with the teaser. Vince Vaughn is completely on throughout this preview and makes me wonder why I ever do the dishes. Co-star John Michael Higgins does a great job stealing the show with his karaoke skills. Both this trailer and last year’s teaser propelled this comedy to quite an impressive opening weekend.

# 5
POSEIDON

Box office fanatics and film critics might take issue with this tremendous trailer’s high placement, but for me this is the best traditional action movie trailer of the year. Andre Braugher’s incredible delivery pairs well with the thunderous score and explosive action sequences. I can just feel the bass rumbling through theaters when this trailer hit the screen. Say what you will about the quality of this movie; however, don’t speak foul of this concussive trailer.

# 4
X3: THE LAST STAND

Even after seeing this movie last summer and again on DVD, this trailer leaves me with chills. Ian McKellan’s voiceover at the beginning is reminiscent of his work in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. It makes this story feel epic in scale and importance. The action almost takes a back seat to the drama, something that is utterly shocking in the hands of Brett Ratner. Cyclops actually appears to have something interesting to do and Famke Janssen’s final line of dialogue is gut-wrenching. X3: THE LAST STAND may not have been the best movie of the summer; however, it was the best trailer for any summer movie.

# 3
BORAT

This is the BEST comedy trailer of the year. Even more astounding, the other Borat trailer was the second best comedy trailer of the year. While BORAT was definitely a hysterical movie in its own right, I personally blame both of these trailers for the movie’s tremendous box office. Without the incredibly tight editing, some of these jokes might have lost some of their impact. Whoever is responsible for this glorious clips: you should “skip to my lou” through the hallways of your production offices.

# 2
UNITED 93

When this project was first announced, a lot of filmgoers were hesitant (if not downright opposed) to the concept. The film was completed despite the negative attention and the trailer is a respectful preview that handled this delicate subject with just the right approach. It presents just the right amount of dramatic tension without being offensive to sensitive filmgoers. The trailer doesn’t shy away from the controversy to which it is inherent; however, in no way does it appear to be cashing in on the sacrifices made on Flight 93.

# 1
300

Easily the best trailer of the year, 300 is on the map as the must see geek adaptation of 2007. The visuals are incredible – vaguely reminiscent of SIN CITY, but not so much that you might think you’re watching the sequel. The music is a perfect pairing, matching the Nine Inch Nails track “Just Like You Imagined” with a tremendous selection of dialogue and action. There are several standout lines of dialogue in this clip (“This is SPARTA!!!!”), however, my personal favorite is:

“Our arrows will blot out the sun.”

“Then we will fight in the shade.”

Nerds already have 03.09.07 ingrained in their brains and chisled onto their calendars. And that day, that day, noble fanboy, shall be a wonderful day.