In the parlance of baseball, movie trailers are like spring-training rookie phenoms. With only a teasing glimpse, all you can see is potential. It’s too soon to tell if the young slugger can’t hit a curveball or if your young ace’s 97-mph heater is as straight as an arrow. All that matters is the promise of greatness. It’s the same reason I love trailers: I know deep-down that 75 percent of these films will ultimately disappoint me, but right now, four months before its release, I can let myself believe that Brooklyn’s Finest is the next Crash, that Salt is the next Bourne Identity. It’s why I’m never late for a movie in the theater, and why I roll my eyes when the lady behind me whines, “Another trailer?” Yes! Another trailer. Another spark of hope. Another movie to get excited for, months before its flaws can be identified and dissected.
In 2010, there were dozens of trailers that, sadly, delivered more than the full-length features that played after them in the theater. Some of them ultimately became the all-stars I hoped they could be. In the spirit of the Oscars, here are my top-5 trailers, in no particular order.
Inception, for its score and its gripping wtf-ness.
The Social Network, for the choral rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep” and Justin Timberlake’s two middle fingers.
The Black Swan, for its trippy descent into red-eyed madness (question mark?).
Never Let Me Go, for the heartbreaking fate that awaits its three protagonists, and the chilly presence of Charlotte Rampling.
Waiting for Superman, for making me angry and sad and hopeful all at once.
What trailers stood out for you this year? Do you have a favorite?
Inception definitely. It was the perfect blend of WTF and intrigue and mystery. I’ve never wanted to see a movie so badly in my life that I had no clue what it was even about.
Same here! I was excited watching trailers for Inception even at home. Going to see it on opening weekend felt like Christmas morning.
Inception also had the great soundtrack of Hans Zimmerman – whose work should have won him an oscar for the Dark Knight.
The Social Network sucked.
The greatest trailer of this past decade goes to the first Superman Returns trailer with Marlon Brando voiceover – it still gives me chills
inception’s music was awesome
Best trailer of 2010: Inception
Best trailer of this decade: Superman Returns (the first trailer with Marlon Brando voiceover)
I agree with Inception, but watching it again the thing i noticed that I hadn’t before was how it totally lies to you. First Leo’s speech about “subconscious security” is to Fischer and is a lie, then his explanation of dream-building etc ends with the voiceover explaning that is Inception. It isn’t of course, but I guess they had to shoehorn the title into the trailer somehow.
ssssssaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmeeeee.
Despicable Me … ha ha ha …
You mentioned most of my favorites. The Never Let Me Go trailer brings me to tears every time I watch it, and The Social Network is one of the most effective and brilliant trailers I’ve ever seen. I’d also add Somewhere.
I love The Fighter’s trailer. Saw it before two different movies and both times, it made me cry. When I saw the film itself, I *almost* cried.
I agree. I love the trailers. It what makes going to the movies that more exciting.
Agree with all the trailers. Toy Story 3′s trailer was also very good along with Kick-Ass’.
I agree with your first three whole-heartedly…”Inception,” “The Social Network,” and “Black Swan” easily had some of the best trailers of the year. On my own list I’d add Sophia Coppola’s “Somewhere” (although, I’d admit, the way the trailer was cut would only really appeal to die-hard Coppola fans…of which I am, and therefore it floored me in its simplicity and calculation).
You got three out of five of mine. Instead of “Waiting for ‘Superman’” and “Never Let Me Go”, I have “Blue Valentine” and “Super 8″.
I always forget how good the trailer for TSN is until I watch it again. Definately one of the best trailers I have ever seen.
I’d have to say “Tree of Life,” a movie I haven’t even seen yet, but I’m looking forward to because of the beautiful, moving trailer.
I agree, Tree of Life is the best moving trailer I ever saw. Never thought I could be in tears just by a trailer.
You got two for me. Inception and The Social Network were awesome. But wheres Super 8?
The Harry Potter one that I saw before Inception in IMAX made me want to finally see all of the movies – I had read the books but never seen any of the movies, so we watched all 6 and then saw #7 when it came out. That trailer is what did it for me.
Inception too was great (and paid off) and I’ve enjoyed The Fighter’s trailer too (but haven’t seen it yet).
I agree. The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows trailer was the only one I saw that really delivered on a truly epic scale. Thankfully, so did the actual movie.
The Adjustment Bureau obviously hasn’t come out yet, but the trailer is aces!
I agree!!
Yes!! Amazing trailer! Gives me chills.
The Harry Potter trailers are worth a mention. After seeing them I couldn’t wait for the movie.
YES!!!
Inception and Black Swan both had amazing trailers, but I loved the trailer for Idris Elba’s Legacy and my personal favourite has to be the Thor Comic Con Trailer. I’ll admit that owes almost as much to love of Maervel comics and the emerging Marvel Movieverse as the trailer itself, but it’s a pretty good trailer none the less; giving a good taste of the character’s bridiging of the realms of Lord of The Rings style fantasy and modern, Iron Man style Sci-Fi.
The teaser trailer for True Grit.
I wept.