Movie Critic Assassins

     

© New Line Cinema

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Ten years ago, with a keen eye to staying true to J. R. R. Tolkien’s original works, the first installment in Peter Jackson’s iconic Lord Of The Rings trilogy was released. The films would go on to satisfy film fans and achieve a vast amount of Oscar wins.

What’s not as well known is the film’s effect in other mediums. The most notable being the film teaser. Our first (and in many cases) only glimpse of a film prior to release.

The original teaser released to promote the Lord Of The Rings trilogy became a game-changer all unto itself. Bold, engaging, epic, one just as much as the films they were marketing. We celebrate that film teaser’s anniversary and offer a list of 10 altogether unforgettable film teasers.

Listed in no particular order. They all incredible.

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 Warner Bros. Pictures.

1. Superman Returns (2006)

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Trailers for Superman films have long resonated in film trailer history. There was the original teaser in 1978 which featuring high flying visuals set to classical music. That teaser, when shown to an audience, prompted quick reactions of high wanting since the film itself didn’t follow. That excitement led to the construction of the actual Superman film opening along the same lines.

Years later, the Superman franchise was to return again. The first teaser released to promote the 2006 film remains an astonishing combination of old and new. Mesmerizing effects and modern visuals feast the eyes while narrated by a voice from Superman’s past. That voice is actor Marlon Brando, who played Superman’s Kryptonian father Jor-El in the original 1978 Superman.

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 © MGM/UA

2. Casino Royale (2006)

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While on the subject of relaunches. Daneil Craig’s announcement as the next James Bond did bring with it some manner of controversy. Some said he didn’t fit the right body type, hair color, persona, the list was endless.

Those fears were quickly put to rest with the release of Casino Royale’s first teaser. A classic homage of vintage Bond with observation of how the character would evolve in a post 9/11 world.

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3. Pearl Harbor (2001)

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Various versions of this teaser currently circulate. This one, which uses words from President Franklin Roosevelt’s actual speech in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack, remains uniquely gripping amidst a modern visual narrative.

It also strikes appropriate to honor such sacrifice as we pass the 70th anniversary of the attacks.

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 Warner Bros. Pictures.

4. The Shining (1980)

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This one is already very well known and holds an important place in film trailer history. That no less lessens the impact of director Stanley Kubrick’s horrific images involving elevators. No teaser has ever better captured the feel and eventual fear of its film counterpart than this one.

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 © Twentieth Century Fox

5. Alien (1979)

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Showing how a simple teaser can be both effective and calculating. This teaser offers few narrative clues to the classic, but allows anticipation to what the film will eventually present you. Audiences were left excited and intrigued to no end.

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 Warner Bros. Pictures

6. 300 (2006)

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This one created quite a media storm when first released. This teaser for director Zach Snyder’s graphic novel adaptation remains historic. It not only excited its target audience, but remains heralded as true “visual art” by many in the artistic community.

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©  Miramax Films

7. Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)

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The entire marketing campaign for Quentin Tarantino’s revenge epic Kill Bill was amazing, but what stands out is this short teaser homage to films of classic chase that preceded release of the film’s second installment.

Actress Uma Thurman is captured beautifully in film lure while setting the stage for exactly what she’s going to do. Nuance need not apply here.

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 © Universal Pictures

8. Back To The Future (1985)

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This teaser features a scene that does not appear in the actual film. In a time when such elaborate presentations were spared no expense to promote a film, this one remains unforgettable.

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  © Columbia Pictures

9. The Messenger (1999)

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Not as well known, this original teaser ended up more well received than even the film it was trying to market. Subtle, sweeping, this master work leaves it up to your imagination to paint an epic canvas of adventure and myth.

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10. The Lord Of The Rings (2001)

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We now arrive at our guest of honor. Forever influencing the vast amount of teasers to follow is this short but unheralded look at Peter Jackson’s trilogy adaptation that was was once thought unfilmable.

While the visuals and music are impressive, the teaser’s most notable influence is its structure. Bold, vast adventure that’s ended on a hopeful and welcoming tone. A tone that countless teasers have tried to recreate in the days since.

Here is the teaser that changed the medium and is today’s celebration.

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Thanks for dropping in,

Sensei White Lotus

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