A closer look at the trend of movie musical trailers downplaying the genre’s defining feature.
In a world where movie trailers are carefully crafted to entice audiences and generate buzz, a peculiar trend has emerged: the art of downplaying the musical element in movie musical trailers. From Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie to Wonka and The Color Purple, trailers have been shying away from showcasing the songs and dances that define the genre. This article examines this puzzling phenomenon and questions why studios are reluctant to embrace the musical aspect of their films.
The Muted Musical Element in Trailers
When my daughters eagerly sat down to watch Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie, they were in for a surprise. The film, which the trailer had presented as a continuation of the beloved TV series, turned out to be a full-blown musical. This discrepancy between the trailer and the actual film left my youngest daughter questioning why the characters were singing so much. Miraculous is not an isolated case; numerous recent trailers, including those for Wonka and The Color Purple, have similarly downplayed the musical elements of their respective films.
The Missing Selling Point
The question that arises is why studios are hesitant to promote the musical aspect of their films, especially when it is a significant selling point. The trailer for The Color Purple, for instance, fails to emphasize its roots as a popular Broadway musical, leaving viewers unaware of the film’s musical nature. Similarly, the trailer for the upcoming Mean Girls adaptation barely hints at its status as a stage show adaptation. This trend extends even to sequels of hit musicals, such as Disenchanted, where none of the new songs by renowned composers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz are featured in the trailer.
A Departure from the Past
Comparing these modern trailers with those of classic musicals reveals a stark contrast. The Singin’ in the Rain trailer from the 1950s proudly proclaimed itself as “The Big, BIG Musical Show of the Year!” and showcased snippets of the film’s iconic songs. Even more recently, the trailers for Chicago and La La Land prominently featured musical numbers, contributing to their success at the box office.
A Disconnect Between Studios and Audiences
The reluctance to highlight the musical element in movie musical trailers suggests a disconnect between the studios and mass audiences. While films like La La Land have proven that musicals can be commercially successful, studios seem to believe that audiences no longer consider musical numbers to be a selling point. This raises the question of why studios continue to produce musicals if they are hesitant to market them as such.
Conclusion:
The deceptive trailers of movie musicals raise intriguing questions about the disconnect between studios and audiences. By downplaying the musical element, studios risk setting up their own films for failure, as viewers may feel misled and disappointed. While some may argue that audiences no longer have an appetite for musicals, the success of films like La La Land suggests otherwise. Studios should embrace the musical genre and market their films accordingly, allowing viewers to fully appreciate and enjoy the unique experience that musicals offer. Only then can they truly captivate audiences and create a lasting impact.
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