Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Shock(wave) and Awe

I don't often see a commercial that I have to actually rewind on DVR but that happened yesterday during this spot Gamestop* ad. It's for the new "Transformers: War for Cybertron" video game, and it's a total throwback to the Transformers of the 80's. The Decepticons here all look like themselves, sound like themselves, and in these 30 seconds act more like themselves than in both of Michael Bay's disastrous movies combined. But enough reminiscing about the good old days of 80's Transformers, let's take a look...



The truest of true Transformers fan will notice that the song Soundwave plays is "You've Got the Touch", which was played at the end of the original Transformers movie back in 1985. It's also the song that Dirk Diggler covered in "Boogie Nights" after his porn career crumbled. I haven't been able to figure out the exact link between those two instances, but believe me, I'm working on it.

Not only does the commercial hit all the right Cybertronian notes, but it's even funny. I mean Shockwave saying, "When your hit percentage exceeds mine, you may choose the soundtrack", have you ever heard anything more hilarious?

Anyway, good work Gamestop. While my best video game days are surely behind me I will have to pick this game up and give it a go on the Wii long enough to accidentally throw the controller into the TV.

*In the interest of full-disclosure it should be noted that I was assistant manager of Electronics Boutique at Broadway Mall in Long Island during the late 90's. Gamestop purchased Electronics Boutique a few years back, but I promise you that had nothing to do with my glaring endorsement of this ad. We all know how important transparency is in posts of this magnitude.


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

And then Barnes and Noble bought Game Stop back when it was still NeoStar, giving all us book nerds discounts on video games. :-)

Unknown said...

I did not know that.

Barry said...

It's in English. . .but once again I don't understand one single word. ;)

Unknown said...

I almost issued you a personal apology for this one, Barry...

Barry said...

No need, Dave. . .I just think really gay thoughts (you know, Unicorns, rainbows, etc.) when you post one of these so I can make it through! :)

Andy Diehl said...

Hmmm... I don't own a Wii but my mom does. Think she'd noticed if I played this while visiting her?

Hal said...

Funny, but as I read this post, I immediately wondered whether Dave would apologize to Barry for it. But I knew that Barry would just dream his sweet gay dreams, and recall the happy says he spent as a back-up dancer for Marilyn Miller. (Yes, Barry and Dave, I am back.)

Barry said...

Actually, Hal, I spent much of my early career in the coveted role of Sarah Bernhardt's wooden leg. Ah, the roles "The Divine Sarah" and I conquered. It was only after her death that I began dancing with sweet Marilyn Miller. Who can forget "Sunny," "Look for the Silver Lining," and "Who?" That's right, who? Who could forget them? Hi, Dave. . .having fun yet?

Hal said...

Barry: Dave could not be more confused right now if you were speaking in Gaelic.