While last night was a night football fans across the country were eagerly anticipated, it was also a great night for fans of elaborated, gimmicky, and very expensive commercials. Like every year, celebrities, A-list directors, and giant corporations came together to try to sell us their products, but because it’s a long broadcast, many commercials can get lost as you go to the bathroom right as they air. That’s why we’ve compiled the five best commercials from this year’s Super Bowl.
Doritos: “Flat Matthew”
The first of two commercials directed by “Whiplash” and “La La Land” helmer, Damien Chazelle, looks like Matthew McConaughey‘s audition to play Plastic Man, the slapstick DC superhero that can stretch his body into any form imaginable. It’s a commercial for Doritos 3D, but you’ll not be able to focus on that because you’ll probably be too busy thinking about the horrifying flat McConaughey living as a 2D character in a 3D world. It’s bizarre, the effect looks weirdly great, and we need a feature film spin-off pronto.
Anheuser-Busch: “Let’s Grab a Beer”
David Fincher takes a break from awards campaigning for “Mank” in order to return to his roots as a director of commercials for a new Super Bowl ad for Anheuser-Busch. It has everything you’d expect from a Fincher movie as it seems to go through his recent filmography: there’s the blue-heavy color palette, a black-and-white segment, lots of wide-angle shots and a rigid, robotic camera, and also a moody score by Atticus Ross. There may not be any celebrities in this commercial, but Fincher still makes it pack a re-watchable punch.
General Motors: “No Way Norway” With Will Ferrell
In case you are also mad about the lack of “Ja Ja Ding Dong” nominations in this early stage of awards seasons, this commercial for General Motors will at least give you enough of Will Ferrell’s high energy to ease the wound. When he finds out Norway beats the U.S. in number of electric cars produced per capita, Ferrell punches a globe and sets out to take revenge on the Nordic region with the help of Kenan Thompson and Awkwafina. It’s funny, it’s fast-paced, and seeing Will Ferrell in the cold Scandinavian winter feels like the “Eurovision” prequel we need.
Squarespace: “5 to 9 by Dolly Parton”
Damien Chazelle has not one, but two Super Bowl commercials this year. While his work for Doritos is just bizarre, his commercial for Squarespace featuring Dolly Parton changing the lyrics to “9 to 5” feels more at home with his musical work. Tony winner choreographer Justin Peck choreographed the musical number, while colorful costumes and fluid camera work will make fans of “La La Land” happy as they wait for Chazelle’s next project.
Tide: “The Jason Alexander Hoodie”
In another bizarre commercial that’s just so weird, it’s hilarious, this Tide ad features Jason Alexander, but not in the way you expect. Rather, it’s a hoodie with Alexander’s face printed on it, and all the ways its facial expressions change as the hoodie gets dirtier and dirtier before being cleaned up. Should Flat Matthew wear the Jason Alexander Hoodie? Yes. And also make it a feature film.