False advertising for films

[terry78]

It's been prevalent for a while, but I've seen it a lot lately where commercials or trailers give you the impression of a movie, only to actually watch it and it be a complete turnaround of what the preview claimed it was. True, their goal is to sell tickets by doing this, but one example is the recent Wicker Man remake, which, if you've seen the original, know what I mean. The ads, including the banner at the top of this site, showcase it to be some supernatural "The Ring" type flick, even though it's not totally the case. Has there been a recent movie you've seen that was advertised differently than what it was?

 

[PowersOfMind]

I have seen the original Wicker Man and I do agree that the way they advertise it is off yet I cant think of any other film off the top of my head.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Angel for X3 was one of the most advertised characters for X3, suit and all, and he was basically a glorified cameo. Disappointing.

 

[KenK]

I remember ads for Equilibrium that seemed to suggest Christian Bale and Taye Diggs' characters would be teaming up, when nothing could be further from the truth.

 

[My Liege]

The trailer for Underworld gave the impression that it might be at least 'okay'.

 

[Sava]

Hulk trailers were so f**ked up.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Hummmm, what about trailers that feature scenes that aren't even in the movie, like Miami Vice?

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Hummmm, what about trailers that feature scenes that aren't even in the movie, like Miami Vice?

That happens a ton nothing new with Miami Vice.

 

[deathshead2]

x3 it looked so great and epic but it wasn't it was like a scifi channel movie.

 

[Vapor]

The Dish springs to mind for me.. Me and some mates went to cinema and it was advertised like a straight up comedy and it wasn't very funny at all, more of a serious film with slight comedic moments..

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

That happens a ton nothing new with Miami Vice.

So, its still slightly misleading. That's like looking at a product in an ad and seeing a feature that isn't there when you buy it.

Oh, I think V for Vendetta was advertised wrongly. Made it look like some action movie, which it really wasn't.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

I'll Sleep When I'm dead
They made it look like Sin City or a Guy ritchie movie, while the movie doesn't have any action, is slow-moving and quiet
Revolver
They made this look like Snatch2. It is not.

(I liked both movies)

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

So, its still slightly misleading. That's like looking at a product in an ad and seeing a feature that isn't there when you buy it.

Oh, I think V for Vendetta was advertised wrongly. Made it look like some action movie, which it really wasn't.

Welcome to marketing.

 

[Movies205]

False advertising has led to the downfall in terms of commericial success for many solid movies. Most prominent that comes to mind would be Disney's past and current handling of "Return to OZ" (1985), they advertised it as a sequel to "Wizard of Oz" (1939), in which it was going a very upbeat and happy tale, when in fact it was dark and grim, not to mention awesome! Trivia fact about Gary Kurtz who produced it:

Lost much of his accumulated fortune investing in two movies which failed at the box office: The Dark Crystal (1982) and Return to Oz (1985). He filed for bankruptcy in 1985.



I mean just look at the current DVD cover:

UGH, the yellow brinkg road is barely in it... I'm so glad I own the anchor bay release:

 

[Darthphere]

The Village, they made it seem like M Night's latest scary movie, but it wasnt.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Welcome to marketing.

Guess that's why we're in this thread, huh?

 

[Obsidian]

King Arthur being advertised as "The Untold TRUE Story of King Arthur"

 

[Caliber]

Angel for X3 was one of the most advertised characters for X3, suit and all, and he was basically a glorified cameo. Disappointing.

I was kind of upset at that because they showed him in the beginning as well. It would been great to see him in that huge fight at the end.

 

[WeaponZ2]

False advertising has led to the downfall in terms of commericial success for many solid movies. Most prominent that comes to mind would be Disney's past and current handling of "Return to OZ" (1985), they advertised it as a sequel to "Wizard of Oz" (1939), in which it was going a very upbeat and happy tale, when in fact it was dark and grim, not to mention awesome! Trivia fact about Gary Kurtz who produced it:

Lost much of his accumulated fortune investing in two movies which failed at the box office: The Dark Crystal (1982) and Return to Oz (1985). He filed for bankruptcy in 1985.



I mean just look at the current DVD cover:

UGH, the yellow brinkg road is barely in it... I'm so glad I own the anchor bay release:

That movie was so twisted.

 

[WorthyStevens]

Angel for X3 was one of the most advertised characters for X3, suit and all, and he was basically a glorified cameo. Disappointing.

Agreed. I even remember there was a special on Fox TV which Ian [McKellan] hosted, and described Angel as some kind of tool or weapon in the X-Men's arsenal...

 

[terry78]

He was a tool all right.

 

[Wolfwood]

I usually get more false advertising when I go to blockbuster and I read the back of the movie covers, for example, there was a movie that claimed the space station these people were entering was a horrific death trap, waiting with all kinds of tools of destruction. Not one person died in the movie, not even a drop of blood! The ship didn't even threaten them, it just kind of hummed and glowed.