These Are the Greatest Trailers Ever for Bad Movies

Occasionally, it’s the trailers for poor-quality films that impress us. It’s not magic how this occurs; even the most poorly-made movies can seem intriguing with skillful editing or concise presentation. Separated from the full context where weaknesses like inadequate pacing or structural issues become apparent, these trailers can misleadingly suggest a satisfying viewing experience that, unfortunately, rarely materializes. Despite the film’s letdown, the allure of these trailers persists.

Occasionally, initial trailers that are compelling or create a unique ambiance can still be successful as independent works of art, even if the films they’re advertising face growing negative cultural perceptions. These instances of poor movies having impressive trailers demonstrate this phenomenon. They should also serve as a reminder to think twice before assuming that an excellent trailer guarantees the final product will be artistically flawless (even a film like “28 Years Later” might eventually merit inclusion on such a list).

Battle: Los Angeles

The “Battle: Los Angeles” preview commences with various historical images claimed to be alien encounters, hinting at a past connection between aliens and humans. In this action-packed war film, these two entities are set to clash violently. The trailer then shows footage of LA being destroyed by alien invaders, all accompanied by an electronic adaptation of Johann Johannsson’s “The Sun’s Gone Dim.” This fittingly eerie song enhances the ominous atmosphere of the scene. A dramatic final montage of intense images concludes with only a release date announcement (no title card is shown), making the “Battle: Los Angeles” teaser memorable. Unfortunately, the actual movie turned out to be a disappointing blend of excessive shaky-cam and poor acting.

Godzilla (1998)

1997 saw the beginning of the promotional campaign for the 1998 American remake of Godzilla, directed by Roland Emmerich. This marketing push was particularly focused on a unique teaser trailer that didn’t include footage from the final film. The teaser showcased a museum tour disrupted by Godzilla trampling a T-Rex skeleton. This daring move aimed to challenge the summer’s anticipated blockbuster (The Lost World: Jurassic Park) and greatly benefited from the suspenseful build-up it created. Interestingly, keeping the controversial Zilla design hidden in this teaser was a strategic decision.

Man of Steel

Looking back, it’s possible that the most noteworthy outcome from the DC Extended Universe was the third trailer for “Man of Steel.” This extended three-minute preview offered an in-depth introduction to the franchise’s debut film. The opening scene, depicting Krypton’s destruction, was beautifully somber and imbued a sense of grandeur throughout the trailer.

The music by Hans Zimmer, the powerful narration from Russell Crowe, and the strategically placed emotional moments (such as Kevin Costner’s exclamation of “You are my son!”) elevated seemingly ordinary scenes from the final movie into deeply moving sequences that stood on their own without context. For a brief instant, this third trailer for “Man of Steel” hinted at a Superman portrayal filled with optimism and weightiness.

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Attack of the Clones remains the weakest, even in a world where Palpatine returned mysteriously. However, the initial teaser trailer for Attack of the Clones still stands out, with its dramatic presentation that intertwines Darth Vader’s ominous breathing with images from the Clone Wars, subtly foreshadowing Anakin’s eventual turn to the dark side amidst scenes of budding romance. The minimalistic soundtrack adds an air of majesty to the various Attack of the Clones shots. Moreover, the teaser cleverly hints at familiar characters and spaceships (was that Boba Fett’s Slave I or a silver version of C-3PO?), making it more enjoyable in quick succession compared to the final film, which struggles with pacing issues. Despite Attack of the Clones being considered the low point of Star Wars cinema, its teaser trailer is undeniably one of the best.

Dinosaur

In the new millennium, Dinosaur was not only set to be the first film released by Walt Disney Animation Studios, it would also be the studio’s inaugural project primarily created using computer animation. To celebrate this milestone, a dialogue-free opening sequence from Dinosaur was unveiled as a teaser, similar to how The Lion King’s “Circle of Life” opening sequence was first presented. Over the past 25 years, that Dinosaur teaser has remained a masterpiece of visual storytelling, with James Newton Howard’s magnificent score still resonating powerfully. Unfortunately, the final Dinosaur film was filled with overly cutesy dialogue about “the love monkey.” However, this initial teaser offered a peek at an alternate version of Dinosaur that focused on stunning visuals instead.

Gemini

Approximately seven years since its debut, the movie “Gemini” has mostly slipped from public memory, except perhaps for ardent fans of John Cho or Zoe Kravitz. Those who recall the “Gemini” trailer from 2017 can attest to the unrealized potential it hinted at. The trailer exuded an unsettling intensity, with a recurring chilling sound effect that resembled an electronic low rumble. The trailer suggested a film teeming with unpredictability and eerie turns, particularly in its audio elements. Sadly, the finished product was so underwhelming that it failed to leave a lasting impression, not even as a notoriously bad movie worthy of recall in popular culture.

Mulan

Prior to its controversial Premiere-on-Demand (PVOD) debut in September 2020, Disney’s 2020 live-action remake of Mulan was eagerly awaited by many. Initially, it was projected to earn over $85 million just domestically. Much of this excitement can be attributed to impressive marketing campaigns, such as the grandiose and captivating official trailer for Mulan, which hinted at a spectacular journey accompanied by a powerful orchestral version of “Reflection”. Regrettably, this well-received trailer would be one of the few positive aspects to arise from this creative endeavor.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

In the realm of movie trailers, the MonsterVerse never fails to deliver an exciting culinary experience. The film Godzilla: King of the Monsters serves as a testament to this, with captivating previews such as an initial teaser accompanied by Debussy’s “Clair de Lune.” However, it’s the final King of the Monsters trailer that truly steals the show. The editing in this trailer is brilliant, using an orchestral rendition of “Over the Rainbow” to create a powerful and awe-inspiring atmosphere. Each shot in this trailer seems to resonate with the grandeur of the Titans, making viewers feel their immense power. Furthermore, the closing montage that intensifies the melody of “Rainbow” alongside escalating Kaiju destruction stands the test of time and multiple rewatches.

In the movie “King of the Monsters,” its grand aspirations were often overshadowed by excessive witty dialogues, uneven editing, and filmmaking that hindered the enjoyment of the giant monster fights. However, in this final trailer, the full potential of Godzilla was finally brought to life.

Suicide Squad

The full-fledged Suicide Squad trailer, which wasn’t just a quick glimpse at Comic-Con, kicked off with the initial lines of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This strategic music choice, often referred to as a needle drop, controlled every edit and motion in this trailer. The skillful editing resulted in an engaging and entertaining trailer, with a humorous touch added when Captain Boomerang took a swig from a can of beer during the chaotic sequence.

The remarkable preview radiated a raw, rebellious spirit combined with deep-seated tension which the actual film struggled to emulate. In terms of a movie, Suicide Squad was marred by an unstable mood and a chaotic soundtrack that seemed to be striving to cater to every cinema-goer’s tastes. On the other hand, this teaser was a much more self-assured production, even in its utilization of Freddie Mercury’s powerful voice.

The trailer was full of rebellious energy and tension, but the movie wasn’t as good at capturing that feeling. It had problems with the tone and music. But the teaser was well-made, especially in its use of Freddie Mercury’s strong vocals.

Read More

2025-01-06 00:10