January 28, 2005

• This tears me up. It's so awesome, yet at the same time, I hate it. It's a very odd feeling to despise something so greatly that I like so damn much. Oh well, it's not like I'll ever buy one either way.
• Actually, this is the sort of advertising I don't mind: it's clever and creative and funny, and it ties in with what they're trying to sell. In fact, the appearence of the car is, in itself, an "Ahah!" moment that gives you a bit of a chuckle. If the advertising budget wasn't there, it's unlikely it would have been made (or at least not half as well), IMO. It's not going to persuade me to shell out for a new car though. (I can't afford one!) And it's always possible to ignore the exhortation to Buy, Buy, Buy... I hope this doesn't sound like a shill. I have absolutely no connection with VW or for that matter the advertising industry.
• ...and it ties in with what they're trying to sell. ?! Here's a guy dancing; buy our car! Sorry, I can't see the slightest connection. And as far as budget goes, the similar grey video was made without a large corporation's ad budget, and also without the opportunity to recieve revenue from it. It doesn't sound like you're shilling, BTW.
• You're right, it doesn't tie in at all with the "Buy a car" line. It does tie in with the "We've updated the car" line, though. My guess is that they don't feel it necessary to sell the Golf anymore as such (certainly not here in the UK and I'm assuming this is a UK ad, coming from the Guardian). It's such a well known model, that they just need to tell people there's a new one (in a clever way). And, dammit, firewall won't let me view the video you linked to. I'll take your word for it that it's good though, and stand corrected.
• Wow!
• Amazing! My favorite part had to be "I'm ready for love"; the dancer has one hell of a smile. I wonder who did the music.
• Never mind; it looks like Gene Kelly's face was superimposed (use the fish). Still an incredible video. I think that same page says that the remix is by Mint Royale.
• Maybe I'm not moving with the times, but it seems that with the advent of sampling we are just robbing the past to make the future. This is just a sophisitcated example, Why is this video good? because Gene Kelly was good? No, it's good because some technician was good. Where's the originality? Having said that it's an amazing technical achievement. As a guy who works in post production myself, I'm impressed. And yet, I feel cheated...
• Here's how I think it ties in: - This is a cool ad - I get and appreciate the meta/mashup/pomo references - Therefore: I recognize that it's clever and creative and funny - Therefore: I must be a clever/creative/funny person - Therefore: I am probably just the sort of person who would consider buying a cool car like a VW. In short it presents something quite simple in such a way as to make you feel clever and pleased with yourself ... IMHO, of course ;)
• Maybe this is all because my art tastes have been creeping back decades and I feel humbuggery, but the original choreography was better.
• i was JUST about to post this. So good.
• I've got to agree with jb on this one... technology aside, this was a bit creepy, maybe it was the M. Jackson (god, i hate even typing that name....) look to the moves, perhaps it was a matter of the uncanny valley effect. whichever....give me good old Gene in the original!
• I've got to agree with jb on this one... technology aside, this was a bit creepy, maybe it was the M. Jackson (god, i hate even typing that name....) look to the moves, perhaps it was a matter of the uncanny valley effect. whichever....give me good old Gene in the original!
• oh crap!!! now THAT is a double post... I claim brain dead friday afternoon syndrome (which isn't that much different then my Monday through Thursday Brain Dead Syndrome but it at least sounds like half an excuse since it's the end of the week...)
• If Gene were able, he would be dancing that way today. Only better. ...
• Now the music is supposedly from some club mix, but has it been released yet?