Papa Johns Cinnabon McDonalds eHarmony
I really liked this film, but the product placement was over the top.
Minus one star for that.
yep it was !!
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MovieChat Forums > The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) Discussion > Papa Johns Cinnabon McDonalds eHarmony
Why do people care about Product Placement, it's not like you don't see it daily in your own life.
shareExactly. Complaining about it never made sense to me either.
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Geez, what an stupid argument. Films are not real life! They serve as an escapism from real life.
shareThat's an even dumber argument. Films are a reflection of real life.
shareYeah, that's why people watch Transformers. Giant talking robots are a reflection of real life
Yeah, and all films are Transformers films.
shareThen don't say stupid, pretentious *beep* like films are a reflection of life
shareThe reason people connect with characters in films is because they are a reflection of real life. Even bad films have real world relationships, situations and problems. Screenwriters use those to connect the viewer and give an emotional response. It's the reason people cry, laugh, cheer etc. while watching a film.
This is film 101. If you're an ignorant ass hole you won't understand. Unfortunately for you, you're an ignorant ass hole.
Yeah, I connect with teenage mutant ninja turtles... *beep* off
shareYou don't think it's possible to like/relate to characters like in Transformers and TMNT? Really? Characters are who we look toward when watching a film because it is their journey we are watching, and it doesn't matter if it's an action film or a comedy or a drama or whatever.
shareYour adolescence is showing.
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
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Uh oh...I think you just realized that you lost the argument.
shareThat's my thinking too. Everywhere I look, products.
you're wearing fish boots.
I dont mind some product placement, but after a certain point it gets annoying. When they blatantly interrupt the natural flow of a movie to throw in name brand products it definitely detracts from the mood.
It really depends on the genre of the movie though. Product placement in comedies and big hollywood movies doesnt matter much to me, but if the movie is going for a serious tone it doesnt work at all.
Agreed, but Cinnabon ... it is so unhealthy and awful.
The eHarmony had to be something ... why not eHarmony?
Papa Johns? Who cares. Junk food pizza?
-Normally- I would agree with you. Sony is usually completely egregious in showing their products (especially Vaio computers.) Designers work so hard to create this 'universe' and that stuff breaks the 4th wall.
That said... In this movie, I found it part of the satire. All the corps are mentioned in a snarky way... Cinnabon is disparaged as 'crack'. eHarmony is made out as kind of a joke. Papa John's is just typical fast food. There's a 'meta' quality to it. It's like the corporations are saying, 'all publicity is good. you'll buy this crap anyway.'
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Yeah thats how I took it all.
shareThe Papa Johns was not "just fast food" in the movie. Papa Johns, in part, represented the death of Walter's father and his first job, which was the impetus to Walter changing from an adventurous free spirit, to someone who felt he had to become both emotionally and financially responsible for his mother and sister.
So as far as product placements go, it was a pretty important part of the movie that many seem to have glossed over.
Also, the biggest product placement that was placed so well that everyone has missed it, was Iceland itself. After its financial crash, Iceland has been working feverishly to become a tourist hub. I bet they kicked back the most to the movie, if not directly with cash, certainly with free shooting rights.
The Papa Johns was not "just fast food" in the movie. Papa Johns, in part, represented the death of Walter's father and his first job, which was the impetus to Walter changing from an adventurous free spirit, to someone who felt he had to become both emotionally and financially responsible for his mother and sister.How would it have served any less an important role if it had just been a generic "Pizza Shop" or "Luigi's Pizzeria"? share
So as far as product placements go, it was a pretty important part of the movie that many seem to have glossed over.
Yes, because Papa John's is a chain. Not that I dislike the place, but it's bland. There's nothing special or different about it, except for that pepper they include in the boxes. Like Walter Mitty, it's just a bland job that people only get because they're responsible enough to get a job so they can pay the bills.
Also, if it had been a mom-and-pop pizza shop, then how would it be even remotely justifiable to have one in Iceland?
And the iPhone 5c
The product placement in this movie didn't bother me. I like the quips they had about it and the little coincidences.
Agreed. The McDonalds one was relatively minor like some of the other more subtle product placements in the movie that I was ok with, but the other ones you referenced were awful. Not only was it distracting (Papa John's in Iceland), but it undercut the message of the movie and detracts from the artistic integrity of the movie. It's sad how people just rationalize this stuff and defend it to no end.
sharePerhaps they added that there just as a joke, almost like saying "hey even in the middle of Iceland there's a Papa Johns"
shareI normally don't care about product placement too much but here they seem to throw it in your face all throughout the movie. I don't think the movie goes more than 10 minutes without showing you one of their corporate sponsors, very distracting
shareTotally agree. I can hardly leave my house without seeing franchises and products all over the place. How distracting.
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
My exact thought as well - decent movie but the product placement absolutely bugged the hell out of me. (brought to you by Carl's Junior)
shareIt did seem odd.
Did they actually receive money to make the film from these companies?
The Cinnabon cinnamon roll could have just been a generic cinnamon bun.
It wouldn't change the scene in any form. I can't remember if their logo is even shown, the name may just be spoken.
Oh, man... the Cinnabon bit was the worst of the lot! The dialog went something like this:
"How d'ya like that Cinnabon?"
[close-up of the bun, with Stiller prying a bit off with a fork] "It's good!"
BARF!
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And I'd like that. But that 5h1t ain't the truth. --Jules Winnfield