New ‘The Monuments Men’ Trailer: Support the War Effort!
'The Monuments Men' was one of our most anticipated movies of 2013, so when it got bumped to next year, it immediately became one of our most anticipated movies of 2014. Although the schedule change has moved it out of potential awards contention, the marketing train has kept on rolling and the latest trailer takes a slightly more unique approach than the others, stylizing itself as a period-appropriate newsreel.
The mere fact that the trailer is in color immediately ruins the newsreel illusion, but it's a cute idea. Foregoing the beats of a traditional preview, this one sets up the movie's plot and characters with a big dramatic narrator and patriotic music. You half expect it to ask you to buy war bonds. [Ed. note: that number at the end isn't some viral marketing scam. It's an actual foundation that looks to restore artwork lost during WWII.]
Directed by and starring George Clooney, 'The Monuments Men' tells the story (loosely based on true events) of a team of art curators and experts sent to Europe in the final days of World War II to retrieve art that the Nazi regime has stolen before it can be destroyed or lost forever. It's a fascinating subject made all the more appealing by the absurd ensemble, which includes Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett. Everything we've seen so far looks like the odd midpoint between 'Ocean's 11' and 'Saving Private Ryan' and that's a combination that just plain fascinates us.
'The Monuments Men' hits theaters on February 7, 2014.