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10 Trailers That Were MUCH Better Than the Movie

By Kaye L · March 31, 2015

There is nothing worse than gearing yourself up to see a film that you are excited for and it turns out to be an underwhelming, giant flop. Trailers are our first encounter with a film, they are meant to provide details and anticipation. Unfortunately, trailers can also be misleading and jam-packed with so much information that the actual film gets lost within itself. There are no significant traits that make a trailer good, and really the only thing a trailer should do is amp up the viewer for a great cinematic experience. Although, that same element that is meant to stimulate our senses has a few major downfalls; for a comedy, it can show us the funniest jokes in the film; for a drama it can ruin the twist; even a trailer for a horror movie can show us the goriest scenes and leave nothing for shock value.

Here is a list of 10 trailers that were way better than the actual film.

 

10. American Gangster (2007)

American Gangster focused on Frank Lucas; a drug kingpin, and the detective who ieventually brings him down. The trailer is full of the typical badass, gangster film traits; guns, a loyal family, money and of course, drugs. Although the film stayed pretty true to the trailer it was not as exciting as the trailer made it seem. This is not to say that it is a bad film, but one would expect more. However, on the bright side, the film has a great cast and an awesome soundtrack.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQgP0kMJAQ4]

 

Trailer Credit

9. Sleeping Beauty (2011)

No, not the Disney film, that one is a classic. This Sleeping Beauty stared Emily Browning and focused on young girl; a student who is looking to make some extra cash and takes a job as someone who fulfills desires. The trailer reads as an exciting mystery; it makes you want to know what the protagonist Lucy is doing and how far she will go. Unfortunately, the actual film is slow, dreary and at times confusing. Lucy is not really fulfilling desires, but more so, being a cuddle buddy at night for old men; interesting concept, but not the greatest execution.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAsbowwhXkw]

 

Trailer Credit

8. Godzilla (2014)

The rebirth of Godzilla excited fans beyond belief; it had a great cast of up and comers like Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson and everyone’s favorite meth dealer Bryan Cranston. The trailer was mesmerizing, the effects looked amazing and come one, it’s Godzilla, who would not be excited? Well, after seeing the film it looks as though it fell short in impressing the viewer. The special effects looked incredible, but the dialogue is so full of emotion that it is slightly distracting from the bigger picture.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-EEqJ9HyTk]

 

Trailer Credit

7. The Punisher (2004)

The trailer for The Punisher is not a spectacular event. However, considering the background of where the film is coming from; based off of a popular Marvel comic, one would assume that we are in for a highly entertaining movie. The film fell short; they have a badass character Frank Castle pulling family friendly, meaningless stunts like moving fire hydrants so his enemy could collect parking tickets. This is not the Frank Castle that many people are use to. For a revenge film it may have taken the less offensive route.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G59cD1NSbS8]

 

Trailer Credit

6. True Grit (2010)

Joel and Etan Coen take on a remake of the much loved 1969 western True Grit and they definitely put their Coen spin on it. The trailer was dark, intriguing, slightly violent and to sum it all up; it was a good ol’ western.

The exciting parts of the trailer seemed like the only exciting parts in the film and although it was a well done modern update of the John Wayne version, it lacked staying power.

On the bright side, it helped a young actress get her start in the movie business.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GkAH7IUWOE]

 

Trailer Credit

5. Tropic Thunder (2008)

This American satirical action comedy blew everybody away; the trailer was funny despite some obvious obstacles. It boasts a cast of funny men including Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Steve Coogan and Robert Downey Jr., but not even some of the funniest men in comedy can save a film doomed from the start.

Like so many comedies before it, all the funny parts in the trailer were the only funny parts in the entire film. The scenes that were supposed to mimic great films like Apocalypse Now did not resonate with the younger audience; also, they had black face, which tends to upset some people.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pl4JNnqNaE]

 

Trailer Credit

4. Only God Forgives (2013)

With a huge star like Ryan Gosling spearheading a Nicolas Winding Refn film, people expect great results. The trailer looked brutal, sadistic and action-packed. The idea of the relationship between the mother and the son is intriguing; but the film itself is confusing, slow and twisted (not in a good way). The fighting scenes that everyone was so eager to see were few and far between and the reasoning for the revenge was slightly skewed by everything else that was going on. No doubt, the film is beautiful to look at, but the overall story was not what most people expected.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqAeVosG4zI]

 

Trailer Credit

3. Cloud Atlas (2012)

https://youtu.be/ByehYal_cCs

Cloud Atlas provided a trailer that had mystery, love stories and a beautiful sextet. It was created by The Matrix Trilogy duo Andy and Lana Wachoski and the director of Run Lola Run, Tom Tykwer; so one could say that it was almost a guaranteed energized, film that would show you ideas of the future through a creative eye. But, let’s be honest, not even the diverse cast could help this film. Although it was perplexing from the beginning, nothing was cleared up as the film went along and yet they kept introducing new ideas; not cool.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWnAqFyaQ5s]

 

Trailer Credit

2. Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

Kick-Ass was a film that paired a pre-teen girl with some seriously sick fighting moves and a very violent, encouraging father. So when the trailer for Kick-Ass 2 premiered everyone was excited and anticipated the back alley fights and the reuniting of Hit-Girl with Kick-Ass. What actually happened was a teen film about falling in love and finding yourself. Hit-Girl was more interested in going on dates then fighting bad guys. Kick-Ass had to find a new crew which consisted of crappy super heroes who really had no skills. At least Kick-Ass learned to fight, these guys just walked around with weird personas and ended up being no help at all.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td921lYSBIA]

 

Trailer Credit

1. Sucker Punch (2011)

The trailer for Sucker Punch was stunning on all levels. It had a little of everything; beautiful women, animated fighting and a series of missions that looked to be straight out of a video game. However, when you watch the movie the best parts seemed to be featured in the trailer and the storyline was pretty out there and confusing.

Although, the worst part about the movie was right when they were about to dance it turned into a fantasy. The overall look of the film is awe-inspiring, but what is going on in the film is nothing to be appreciated.

P.S. I am still waiting to see them dance.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVVYB8gaSqc]

 

Trailer Credit

Terminator: Salvation Guest Appearance

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Czz-TcWCkA]

 

Trailer Credit