https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw1Y-zhQURU
Yes it’s that time of year where everyone inundates you with Christmas ads – Here’s John Lewis’, with a character called Moz the Monster. It’s garnered a bit of a mixed response from the public, according to the BBC:
The eagerly anticipated ad from the high street store tells the story of a little boy and his friendship with an imaginary monster living under his bed. It features a cover of The Beatles song Golden Slumbers by Elbow. Viewers cast their verdicts on Twitter: “So ready to cry,” said one. “Lost their magic touch,” said another.
The ad has appeared on the store’s Youtube channel and will preview on television on Friday night. Reviews so far have included “heart-warming” to “disappointing”, with some questioning how “Christmassy” the story was. The campaign follows the release of other big-budget festive ads from Marks and Spencer, Argos and Debenhams. The John Lewis advert is directed by Oscar-winning Michel Gondry, whose past work includes the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and music videos for the likes of The White Stripes, The Chemical Brothers and Björk.
“When I told my ex-girlfriend I was doing the next John Lewis Christmas film she said, ‘You have big shoes to fill, this John Lewis commercial must make people cry, don’t forget’. Last week I showed it to her and she cried. Phew,” he said. But there were no tears from one viewer, Claire Hyman, who wrote on Facebook: “I actually wonder if this will give any children nightmares?”
Other viewers drew comparisons with the Disney Pixar 2001 film Monsters Inc, after spotting a small sock stuck to Moz’s fur.
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