The new television advertisement for Cadbury Schweppes, made by the same company that produced the drumming gorilla commercial, will be shown for the first time Saturday night at 2110 U.K. time during “CSI: New York” on Five. The theme is the first-ever airport truck race in history, according to a statement. (No web link available.) No Phil Collins this time - they’re using Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” instead, according to the statement. The new commercial was directed by the same chap who did the gorilla ad.
Somebody tell me why the gorilla advert was so popular, please? I mean, a man in a gorilla suit, playing drums, to Phil Collins? I don’t get it. What’s that got to do with chocolate, and why does everybody think the advert was so great?
I can tell you why I like it. A few reasons, even.
Simplicity. It’s eight camera shots on one set from one angle, and an unbroken piece of music that’s pretty much just vocal and drums. Think of a Fred Astaire dance number (long takes, showing his whole body), a Mark Knopfler guitar solo, or a perfectly cooked steak; when you have one, pure idea, there’s no way to hide any mistakes. Do it right, and it draws the attention inward.
Mood. Gorillas are generally pretty peaceful, but you know they could kick your ass if they wanted to. The music starts pretty mellow, and then cuts loose. And putting those two things together is inspired and goofy at the same time. But then it seems kind of obvious, too; because if a gorilla was in a rock band, he’d have to be the drummer, right?
Surprise. The first time I saw it, I had no idea what was coming.
Execution. Most guys in a gorilla suit look exactly like a guy in a gorilla suit. And even for those who came close, the giveaway is the eyes. This one starts with a close-up of the eyes. The guy in that suit is good. He gets the posture right, keeps his arms out to the sides. It’s the most convincing gorilla I’ve ever seen, but at the same time, the tempo is much too good to be a real, trained gorilla; and that cuts the tension a bit. And he’s wearing an ear bud, which you only see for a couple seconds.
WOOO-HOOOO!!! My favorite song ever!! Also, my solemn and profound ( 
) philosophy of life!