'Hunger Games' teaser trailer leaves me hungry
Posted Monday, August 29, 2011 at 3:46 PM Central
Last updated Monday, August 29, 2011 at 3:56 PM Central
by John Couture
I understand why studios find it necessary to create a teaser trailer. In today's fast-paced environment, it's vital to establish a buzz as early as possible.
But, the art of creating an effective movie trailer is a skill that very few people have. The skill at cutting a great teaser trailer is even more elusive.
In my opinion, there's more risk than reward in creating a teaser trailer, especially for a known property in which people have invested a certain expectation level. Take the teaser trailer for The Hangover Part II for example and you'll see what I mean.
So last week, when they started hyping the debut of the teaser trailer for The Hunger Games at yesterday's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), I got a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. Lionsgate is sinking a ton of promotion into this movie, hoping that it will fill the void in the young adult film market now that Harry Potter has finished its run and Twilight is soon to follow.
The only problem is that when you have a rabid fan base with high expectations, you don't want to upset them or let them down. Just ask George Lucas about that. So, this teaser trailer for The Hunger Games had better knock our socks off or else Lionsgate could be in trouble.
The trailer is embedded below and I'll let you watch it before I comment any further.
I don't know about you, but I was left rather unmoved with that trailer. I wouldn't say that it was all bad because we did get a glimpse of the always wonderful Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in action and a bit of the score which sounds very promising. But, a quick twitter search reveals that the reaction is a mixed bag at best.
I don't envy Lionsgate because they have to sell a movie in which most of the action takes place in an arena where the lead actress is mostly by herself. They've chosen to put that up on front street with this teaser and time will tell if that pays off for them.
I will give them credit though, they are pulling out all of the stops to promote the movie. They even went so far as to register www.thecapitol.pn out of the Pitcairn Islands so as to imply that the site is registered in the movie's country of Panem.
What did you think of the trailer? The Hunger Games hits theaters on March 23, 2012.