Ferris Bueller Rides Again ... in a Honda CR-V
Fans of John Hughes' classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off will have to keep waiting for a real sequel.
A teaser with Matthew Broderick reprising his role as the happy-go-lucky Bueller -- sort of -- is actually a taste of a Honda (HMC) commercial that will make its television debut during Sunday's Super Bowl.
Facebook, Twitter, and blogs were ablaze earlier this month with buzz that Broderick's middle-aged turn as Bueller wanting a day off from work was actually a precursor to a full-blown movie. The fact that Hughes died two years ago didn't seem to matter. The lack of production buzz in a day and age where few things in Hollywood can be kept secret didn't really register. The teaser pointing to Feb. 5 -- commercial-intensive Super Bowl Sunday -- didn't tip off faithful fans of the coming-of-age comedy.
Well, Honda has now posted the full ad on YouTube, leaving little doubt that all of the buzz-building was ultimately just about the Honda CR-V.
'The key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands'
The long-form ad is a nostalgic piece of work. Replace Chicago with Southern California, and many of the original flick's memorable moments are reimagined in the new setting with Broderick playing himself in full Bueller mode.
Whether or not the full 2 minute, 24 second ad airs during the pricey Super Bowl or not, the CR-V clip has gone viral. There were already more than 3 million views as of Tuesday morning.
Some of the viewer comments aren't kind. They're blaming Honda for playing with their emotions or trampling on Hughes' legacy.
They'll get over it. If bringing back the somewhat carefree nature of the 1980s was the goal of Honda's marketing team, it was a mission well accomplished.
'A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile'
Honda can use the good news.
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The Japanese automaker posted uninspiring financial results on Tuesday. Consolidated net sales declined by 8% during Honda's fiscal third quarter. Supply chain disruption stemming from flooding in Thailand dinged Japanese car manufacturers late last year. Foreign currency exchange rates also weren't working in Honda's favor.
However, the road down to the bottom line gets even bumpier. Honda's earnings fell by a sharp 41% during the quarter.
If Honda were Bueller, it would simply shrug this off and move on.
"Only the meek get pinched," Bueller told his friend in the original movie. "The bold survive."
Well, now that Honda seems to have secured a spot as one of this most memorable commercials during this weekend's Super Bowl broadcast, it seems to be a road well traveled.
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Longtime Motley Fool contributor Rick Munarriz does not own shares in any of the stocks in this article.
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