2005: Top 10 Trailers

I have two rules for choosing the Best Trailers of 2005. I limited my selections to films released in theatres this year (so no teasers for next Summer’s big releases.) And I excluded downloadable international trailers. Only previews that played on the big screen.

Two very special exceptions that deserve particular merit…

NIGHTWATCH
Once slated to open during the summer, the Russian sci-fi sensation has been delayed indefinitely. Meanwhile, besides the domestic trailer that played in theatres, the internet has released numerous spectacular ads for both this film and its sequel.

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
The international trailer for GOBLET is far better than any of the domestic ads, and would easily have placed in my top 10.

The Top 10: [Click the titles for links to the trailers]

10) 2046
Moody, romantic, jaw-droppingly beautiful to watch, and perfectly edited to the film’s lush score.

9) MARCH OF THE PENGUINS - For such a popular film, few people saw the clever trailer that cut the images together like ARMAGEDDON, retaining the graceful narration of the great Morgan Freeman.

8) SERENITY
Both the teaser and the trailer did an excellent job at intercutting the exciting action sequences with Joss Whedon’s trademark smart-aleck dialogue. (“This is the Captain. We may experience some slight turbulence and then…explode.)

7) JARHEAD
This underappreciated drama scored big opening weekend thanks to two effectively powerful trailers. I cannot underrate the decision to use “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West.

6) OLDBOY
“Locked up for 15 years, then set free. Now he has 5 days to find out why.” A brilliantly simple idea for a movie. The images that follow promise that the 5 days would contain indelible moments.

5) GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
I recently reviewed this trailer, and was freshly knocked out by its punchy, exciting style. The trailer promises a toothy and highly energized drama.

4) KING KONG
The teaser had the great moment (not in the film) when everyone reacts to Kong’s scream. The trailer showed Kong swatting down a biplane. Possibly the two best pure “trailer” moments this year.

3) HIGH TENSION
The most deceptive trailer this year. Ominous, eerie, and very intense, all things the film was not. Another fine use of music, this time Sonic Youth’s creepy cover of The Carpenters “Superstar.”

2) STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH
Kind of a no-brainer. The music and images always make for a good trailer. And every time you think “This film’s going to be great.” Ultimately, the trailers for the new trilogy are the only things that really do rival the excellence of the original films.

1) SIN CITY
Cool people spouting cool dialogue in one very cool looking city. It would be hard to make a bad trailer here, but these two previews added a wicked guitar riff (from “Cells” by The Servant) and produced the year’s best trailer.