Pre-roll movie theatre advertisements, although somewhat irritating in a pay-to-play environment, can be extremely effective due to the captive attention of an engaged and relatively targeted audience. Therefore, it makes for the perfect environment in which to use propaganda. Not since Americans visited the movie theatre for a dose of news from the war front during the WW2 era has propaganda so blatantly been used in movie theatres. NASCAR, The National Guard, and Kid Rock have placed a pre-roll spot in movie theatres featuring aggressive stock car racing clips, dramatic footage of soldiers or ‘warriors’ (although presented as saviors) doing their patriotic duty and kid rock barking out a song rife with bellicose jingoism. I could barely sit through the movie after seeing this spot, I wanted to join the cause so badly. However ineffective and douche-chill inducing this spot is, it is offensive and mischaracterizes the armed forces, American foreign policy, and quite frankly, NASCAR. Most races are very uninteresting to watch and very rarely are spectators treated to a fiery airborne collision as is featured in the spot. Watch the commercial below, check out the lyrics to Kid Rock’s “Warrior”, and decide for yourself whether or not it paints a fair picture of war, NASCAR, and good music.
YEAHHHHHH
So Don’t Tell Me Who’s Wrong and Right When Liberty Starts Slipping Away
And If You Aint Gonna Fight Get Out Of The way
Cuz Freedom Is So Free When You Breathe Red White and Blue I’m Given All of Myself Cuz That’s What I Do
And They Call Me Warrior
They Call Me Loyalty
They Call Me Ready to provide Relief N Help I’m Wherever You Need Me to Be
I’m an American Warrior
Citizen Soldier
I’m an American Warrior
Citizen Soldier
Ahhhhh Yeahhhhh
Citizen Solider
I’d Never Leave Another Behind I Will Never Except Defeat I’m A Solider In War Civilian In Peace Cuz Freedom Is So Free When You Breathe Red White N Blue I’m Given All Of Myself How Bout You
And They Call Me Warrior
They Call Me Loyalty
And They Call Me Ready to Deploy, Engage and Destroy, Wherever You Need Me to Be
I’m An American Warrior Citizen Solider
I’m An American Warrior Citizen Solider
Warrior Citizen Solider
Warrior Citizen Solider
Ohhhhhhh Yeahhhhhh
on Dec 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I am infuriated that I have to sit and listen to/watch this progaganda each time I go to view a film in a theater. I am even more upset about the fact that no one, including myself, says a word about it. I am afraid if I scream out “F’in Propaganda!!!” in the theater some patriotic zealot will beat me up. Why do we put up with this shit?? Are we all so whipped that we can’t stand up to this crap or so desensitized that we don’t even see it anymore?
AM I THE ONLY ONE BEING DRIVEN CRAZY BY THIS SHIT?????
on Dec 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 am
And it looks like ti won’t be coming to an end any time soon: http://communicationtopics.com/advertising/3-doors-propaganda