The Best Super Bowl 53 Commercials
Every year the Super Bowl is one of the most watched events on TV. With the game goes a host of brand new and expensive advertisements from the nation’s largest companies. As is the case with every year, a few companies separated themselves from the pact:
Budweiser: Wind Never Felt Better
Usually when we think of our favorite Super Bowl ads we immediately think of the ones that were the funniest and included the most star power. Yet, Budweiser didn’t need any of the typical gimmicks to make a great commercial this year. The ad wasn’t for the beer itself, but instead it sought to advertise its new usage of wind power for making beer. Quite literally everything in this ad was intentionally used to promote the new use of wind power, from the dog with his cheeks flapping in the wind to the landscape of wind turbines in the background and even the Bob Dylan classic, “Blowin’ in the Wind” playing throughout.
It’s obvious to see all of the dedication that went into making an ad with a clear message, but it is also just extremely beautiful, making it stand out against many of the other Super Bowl LIII commercials. The reason this is one of the best ads of the year is that there was clearly so much dedication put into these single 30 seconds that made Budweiser seem like it was a part of the core, American values without sticking to the typical format of Super Bowl commercials. Plus, promoting renewable energy is always a great thing.
– Jade Campos
Stella Artois: Change Up the Usual
The Super Bowl is home to many cameos and appearances from celebrities and characters alike; Stella Artois’ advertisement is no exception. The ad begins with Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw from Sex And The City entering an exquisite restaurant. Her waiter offers her a classic cosmopolitan cocktail, but she instead opts for a Stella Artois, much to the surprise of everyone.
The request completely disrupts the ambiance of the restaurant, and patrons do not even notice the entrance of Jeff Bridges’ The Dude of “The Big Lebowski.” The Dude quietly walks up to the bar, trading in his personal choice of a white russian for another Stella Artois. The Dude and Carrie find themselves seated next to each other, toasting to the concept of changing up their usual drinks, ending the commercial. This crossover is notable not only due to the revival and return of its characters, but the message of “changing up the usual” that it delivers.
– Jack Grossman
The Twilight Zone
Jordan Peele is heading into a very busy year, with a new feature film, an appearance in “Toy Story 4” and his new series for CBS, The Twilight Zone. The reimagining of the original gave its first taste to the world in a brand new teaser. Presenting itself as a network interruption, the football field appears, suddenly glitches, and the spectators all disappear. Peele begins to narrate in the same exact tone and mannerisms as Rod Serling, the original host of The Twilight Zone in its heyday. He invites us, the viewers, to question exactly what dimension we are even in, and to step through the door into the Twilight Zone. With a new release date of April 1 on screen, we can only have an idea as to what Jordan Peele and his team will bring us in the future, but for now, the hype is certainly in motion for this new and promising reimagining.
– Jack Grossman
Microsoft: We All Win
For the last few years and including the short two months of 2019, audiences have witnessed an amazing amount of diversity and inclusion in different aspects of the media. From television, to films and now with commercials, companies and other forms of entertainment are bringing well-needed attention to campaigns targeting social issues.
During the 2019 Super Bowl, viewers were given the Microsoft “We All Win” commercial, telling the heartwarming story of a number of disabled children who are now able to comfortably play video games to the degree they were not able to before with the all-inclusive new controller by Microsoft. For the numbers of Americans who do not have a disability, it is easy to forget how tasks seen as simple or even effortless can be incredibly challenging for some. Microsoft not only brought needed awareness to privilege, but a new campaign that other technology companies can learn from and start to act upon.
– Lilly Adams
Jade Campos is a freshman majoring in print journalism. To contact her, email jmc7727@psu.edu.
Jack Grossman is a junior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jackdgrossman@gmail.com.
Lilly Adams is a sophomore majoring in film/video. To contact her, email lillyadams11@gmail.com.
