Those of us who checked out District 9 this summer, after a long, hot string of disappointing blockbusters, nabbed themselves one of the summer’s most rewarding, worthwhile and technically impressive films. One thing that stood out about the film (as a blockbuster) was that it wasn’t just about the action, but rather had a whole lot more food for thought, along with the explosions, chases and gunfire.
Well, Thai audiences MIGHT walk away sorely disappointed after looking at these District 9 posters, purchasing their tickets and settling into their seats to watch (what they think is) an action-packed movie, only to find out that it’s not as full-on as the posters suggested. Before I say anymore, take a look at the two tragically misleading posters below (click for larger size):
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[Warning: Moderate SPOILERS ahead]
If Thai audiences are to go by that first poster, then the movie features an army of robot suits that are on the attack. As those who have seen District 9 know, there’s only one of those suits to be found in the movie – granted, it provides much of the action towards the end, but that first poster makes it seem like that’s what the whole movie is about. And if they’re to go by that second poster, then there is multiple giant alien spacecrafts hovering above the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, as opposed to the one that features in the actual movie itself.
[End of SPOILERS]
It’s understandable in the world of movie marketing to play up of certain aspects of a film (in this case, the action), but to flat-out mislead people with promo posters that simply aren’t accurate is another thing altogether. I haven’t seen any of the other Thai advertisements for the movie, but if these posters are anything to go by, Thailand is in for a big surprise when District 9 opens.
What do YOU think about these two misleading posters?
District 9 opens on September 17th in Thailand, and is already on release in the U.S. and UK. If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend you do so ASAP.
Source: IMPAwards (thanks to FirstShowing)
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14 Comments
That’s pretty messed up!
One thing though, and it’s only cause I’m OCD but, you said Taiwanese when talking about Thailand. You would just say Thai again at that part.
Taiwanese = Taiwan
I also find it amusing that the say District 9 is directed by Lord of the Rings and King Kong director Peter Jackson; when we all know he was a producer not director. Where is the love for Neill Blomkamp??
Well it doesn’t say that Jackson directed it, but it is misleading nonetheless.
@Tyler McKnight,
That was an honest mistake down to search result issues. Don’t ask
Thanks for pointing it out, though.
@NDH,
I never noticed that! Good catch. Even though TECHNICALLY it doesn’t say he directed it, as you say it’s still misleading (as hell).
It’s just as bad and as misleading as the TV adverts for “Whiteout”, which frankly, make it look like it’s going to be some sort of action-packed monster movie set in the antarctic.
I was all excited, until I read it was based on a comicbook… urr… “graphic novel” about a quite-human killer.
Talk about misleading advertising.
Nothing like misleading advertising… I saw it last night and loved it, btw.
Heath
Misleading advertising is good when used right – like if it teases an obvious plot point which turns out to be entirely wrong.
For example, the misleading Body of Lies advertising made me enjoy the film so much more.
For this poster though, that’s entirely false advertising with the imagery.
It’s kinda sad really. The movie industry has a genuinely GOOD movie that doesn’t need to rely on trickery or lies to put fannies in the seats. Yet, they can’t help themselves. They have to push the boundries of what’s right (or true) just to make a few extra bucks. I hope that all the Taiwanese viewers demand their money back after realizing that the film is nothing like what the posters make it out to be.
Also, in the 2nd poster, it makes the armor look like it’s Godzilla for cryin’ out loud!! The helicopter is tiny compared to it!!
I’m probably the only one who doesn’t mind the misleading posters. Making it look like District 9 is some kind of Terminator-like movie, more people might go see it. Like people who loved the Transformer movies, people who need to be drawn in to be served something with actual quality. D-9 has a documentary style, and that’s usually not a big selling point. So I don’t mind. You don’t hurt the true movie fans with these posters, ’cause they’ve probably already seen the trailer(s).
Yah, in the second poster, they superimposed some of the city scape in FRONT of the robot, making that robot look like it’s 1000 meters tall or more, lol…
There trying to bring in the Transformers fans.
Advertising is all about misleading people these days. Since there’s no accountability there’s nothing to stop them.
its ashame because most of the time the people responsable for the film arnt responsable for the advertising and if they are they are being told what to do.
but regardless of misleading adverts the film was amazing!!!
I LOVED IT..BRING ON DISTRICT 10..WAY I SEE IT…(SPOILER) 3 YEARS TIME COMES AND ALIENS WILL RETURN-TO RESCUE THE REMAINING ONES AND TO RE-HUMANIZE VICCUS..AND IF THERES HUMAN CONFLICT YOU CAN BE SURE THERE WILL BE WAR.
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