Zombieland
In the world of
sponsorships and movies, one movie takes a dark-humor approach to sponsorship. Zombieland, a 2009 zombie comedy film has
clear evidence of sponsorships throughout the film. Many films may disguise or
indirectly sponsor certain brands, people, and products, however, the
characters in Zombieland are clearly giving a kudos to Hostess, Ghost Busters,
and actor Bill Murray.
Hostess
is clearly advertised throughout the entire movie, as the main character, Tallahassee,
is on a constant search for Twinkies. Everywhere and anywhere he travels, he is
looking for Twinkies. It’s clear he is
looking for Twinkies because he directly states in grocery stores, on the road,
and at the carnival the he is on the hunt for some Twinkies. The movie uses a dark humor on the importance
of Twinkies for Tallahassee. One scene shows the main characters pulling over
at a grocery store. Tallahassee explains his reason for stopping is because the
last box of Twinkies may be in the grocery store. This scene explains how
terribly in love Tallahassee is with Twinkies. He is willing to go into a
grocery store, during a zombie apocalypse, all for a box of Twinkies. The
Twinkies are so important he is willing to risk his life at any time just to
get one of these treats.
Hostess is continually advertised through the movie, and
one scene in particular actually shows the Hostess logo on a Hostess delivery truck.
Tallahassee and company are driving on the road and spot a crashed Hostess
truck. Tallahassee quickly parks and is ready to explore the truck in hope of
it being filled with Twinkies. To his dismay it is filled with snowballs, which
is another Hostess snack. He doesn't like snowballs but doesn't regard them as
awful treats. Our other character Columbus likes the snowballs and makes good
comments on them.
Both scenes are a
win-win for the movie and Hostess. The characters clearly like the Hostess
treats and are willing to risk their lives to obtain these treats during a
zombie apocalypse- yes it is that serious.
Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz explore how a rhetorical analysis such as with
Zombieland and hostess work. The two provide positive feedback to each other.
Viewers can relate to a real world item, and be reminded of the deliciousness
of Hostess treats. In return, Hostess may receive more sales of their desserts
following the viewing of the film. The constant reminder of Twinkies just makes
you want to go get one and munch it out in respects for Tallahassee.
Another interesting advertisement during the film is that
of Bill Murray. Tallahassee chooses Murray’s house out of all homes that are
vacant during a zombie apocalypse, to rest at. “Bill (Bleeping) Murray!” as
Tallahassee refers to him. This advertisement is an interesting one as
Tallahassee constantly praises Murray, and then Murray appears in the film. Tallahassee
uses dark humor to show how important of an icon Murray is to older generations
when he tells the little girl he’s never hit a kid before. This sort of joke
refers to the little girl not knowing who Bill Murray is and Tallahassee takes
it as an insult, almost enough to want to hit the girl. He then goes on to
compare Bill Murray to an important figure, Gandhi, which the little girl doesn't know either. This scene can be interpreted
many ways. To me it shows the older generations know of important figures and
compare their own favorite people to these prominent characters. The little
girl represents a younger generation that doesn't have the same respect for
what the older like or may not even know they exist.
The film incorporates
many sponsorship’s from start to end. In this case I think the sponsorship's add
to the humor of the movie. I think both the products and the movie complement
each other on win-win bases.
Interesting. I do want a twinkie after having seen the movie.
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