BW’s Super Bowl Ad Review 2012

Another Super Bowl has come and gone. For those of you who didn’t switch to the Puppy Bowl and wanted to see something other than some singer I’ve never heard of flipping people off at the half-time show you were exposed to this year’s commercial offering. The Super Bowl is arguably the biggest event on television and advertisers pay a lot of money for ad time. To supplement this they will try to break out the biggest productions they can, knowing that they will be showing these ads all year round as well.

Here’s the odd thing. While I found videos worth posting (after my usual hefty breakdown) I wasn’t fully impressed with the ads this year. Outside of maybe the Coca Cola bears reacting to the Super Bowl (only three of which ended up airing), there was no narrative, like last year’s video “Siege“. There were still a few worth giving the biggest push two and a couple that just fell short because I can only put so many videos into a post before it takes forever to come up. So here are the best of the best of this year’s ads.

“The Dog Strikes Back” – Volkswagon

This is a two-fold win. First you have the story of a dog remaking himself to achieve his goal. Dogs didn’t really fare well this year, being either murders or slaves. (Granted both were humorous.) So I have to get behind this (although on Twitter I did lop this with the other two). The bonus is when it shifts to the Star Wars bar with that same dude who once got his friend’s arm chopped off now pissing off Vader. Dude can NOT keep his trap shut.

“King’s Court” – Pepsi

You realize this means that at some point Flavor Flav also tried to perform for King Elton John and failed. Smart king.

“Transactions” – Acura

I almost left this to the “honorable mentions” but then Leno offered me a flying squirrel suit too. He must have a ton of those things.

“Thing Called Love” – Samsung

Wow. A pen. That might be exciting to BW Virtual Mentor Jerzy Drozd, but I’m not that impressed. However, when it breaks into “A Thing Called Love“, I’m not going to argue.

“Everyone” – Met Life

I know, I know, it’s a weak commercial, but half my childhood is in this thing. I had to put it up here or my inner child would have held his breath until my face turned blue. I think that’s how that works. Also, they’ve posted other videos with practical jokes on Yosemite Sam, trying to get Waldo on the set, Snagglepuss being a diva, and Voltron practicing his dance moves.

“Vocal Kombat” – The Voice

Betty White may steal the show at the end, but nice “wire-fu” choreography going on here.

AND THE BIG WINNER!

“Just My Shell” – M&Ms

The “Cheetah” car ad was funny, too, for the same reason–because you didn’t see it coming. However, every time I see this ad I get the same laugh I did when I first saw it. I think it’s the addition of “Sexy And I Know It” (and a less disturbing “wigggle wiggle wiggle” moment) that puts it over the top.

Honorable mentions:

“Vampire Party” –  Acura

“Cheetah” – Hyundai

“It’s Reinvented” – Toyota

“2012” – Chevy

“Performance Basketball” – Bridgestone

I have to hand it to the auto industry. The early ads were boring, but they seemed to be saving the good stuff for later in the night. What were some of your favorites of Super Bowl Ads 2012?? List them in the comments. And congratulations to the New York Giants on their win.