Hall of Shame: Product Placement

1. Cast Away

One of the most guilty shameful examples of Product Placement. It's basically a 2 hr FedEx movie, with co-sponsor Wilson. Its still a great movie, but man, the FedEx stuff was way overdone. Shame on you, Tom Hanks.

Funny Commercial:

2. I Am Legend

At the beginning, I didn't realize the movie started - I thought I was watching a commercial for the shiny new Ford Mustang. Yes, 3 years after end of the world, the only cars that work are Fords. This product placement was heavily visible in the movie trailer as well. And of course, all computers are Macs, naturally.

Don't believe me? Check out this Ford poster:

3. You've Got Mail

I'm surprised Tom Hanks doesnt just tatoo corporate logos on his forehead for all his future films. He's the biggest offender by a mile, as this AOL infomercial for their online dating service has shown. And StarBucks is the icing on his double latte frappuccino.

See if you can spot the product placement:

4. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

Wow, how much does this sort of Product Placement cost? They managed to get their name into the title and make the entire plot of this comedy revolve around two stoners on a quest to find a White Castle, because, simply no other burger would do.

5. Men in Black II

One of the worst offenders of multiple product placements, all clearly visible, all obviously placed. Seems like Will Smith and movie ads go hand in hand. See the YouTube Video.

6. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Although it was done for comic effect as well as make it a more effective parody of a sponsor-infested NASCAR race, the over-useage of some of the products, including a first ever full commercial shown inside of a movie, was excessive.
and many others

7. The Island

This sci-fi thriller was heavily criticized for all its heavy product placements, including cars, bottled water, credit cards, beer, ice cream, and a very prominent and annoying MSN Search engine advertisement.

8. Top Gun

After this blockbuster hit the screens in 1986, sales of bomber jackets went up drastically, Ray-Ban sunglasses were up almost 40%, and it boosted so much interest for the Air Force and Navy that recruiting booths were setup at certain theaters to lure enthusiastic patrons.

9. Transformers

It's well known that Michael Bay is a GM-sponsored director, but this film takes the cake. He took our beloved VW, Porches, Lancia, Nissan, Lamborghini, and Jeep characters from the original and turned them all into GM models. Just waiting for the eventual mass-recall to occur.

10. The Wizard

Sponsored by Nintendo, specifically to fuel sales of its recently-released Super mario Bros. 3. A copy of Nintendo Power magazine was even distributed in most theater viewings.

11. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

An early prominent Product Placement film, who can forget those wonderful Reese's Pieces that E.T. loves so much. Incidentally, it almost went to M&M's.

12. Knocked Up

Traffic at mrskin.com exploded and the site after it was such an integral part of the plot in Knocked Up. Clever product placement or just a part of the gag? Either way, Mr. Skin is laughing all the way to the bank.

13. Independence Day

A Mac laptop is USB-compatible with the Alien mothership. Need I say more?

14. I, Robot

Oooh, this movie sucked, but I now have a strange fascination to buy an Audi. Converse shoes and FedEx are also prominent in the film.

15. Spider-Man

As seen in YouTube Video, Dr. Pepper and Carlsberg were clear major sponsors of this blockbuster hit. And if you think it was a coincidence, I guess the dozens of Dr. Pepper can promos with spider-man graphics must be a coincidence as well.

16. Fallen

If a scene is added to a film directly by its advertiser, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Early on, in the bar, Denzel says 'take these foreign beers away and bring us a good ol' American Budweiser!' and a few minutes later, he takes a big chug of the Bud, label in clear view, and says "aahhh!! now THAT'S what I call a beer!"

17. Tomorrow Never Dies

To have 007 ditch his usual Aston Martin ride and proclaim 'where's the keyz to my beema!' and show off the german car so much, and then top it off with a big action scene specifically written around the new BMW motorbike, Herr Bond, you've gone too far!

18. Demolition Man

In the future, after the 'fast food chain' wars, there is only one restaurant remaining... 'Taco Bell'. God kill us now! :)

19. Disturbia

Xbox and Apple iTunes (more info coming)

20. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Bene...

This so-called comedy was nothing more than a 90 infomercial for the Tourism Department of Kazakhstan! Shame on you, Borat! :)