Movie Branding | A Jerry Bruckheimer Movie

CNN has an interesting piece on the question of whether or not über-producer Jerry Bruckheimer (best known for his signature action-adventure films Armageddon, Bad Boys, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Rock, Top Gun, and, my personal favorite, the underrated Con Air). Entitled Bruckheimer: The Brand Name In Movies, the article notes that some feel that Bruckheimer’s name is a negative rather than a positive when attached to a picture that doesn’t feature any explosions — his just-released basketball drama Glory Road, for example.

I believe this is a case of inside baseball (to mix my metaphors). While it may be true that many critics have trouble swallowing a different type of Bruckheimer movie, for the typical filmgoer (like me) it’s really not an issue. Unlike the name of many a Hollywood celebrity actor, the name of a famous producer functions more like a co-brand or an ingredient brand than a master brand. Although it’s taken him awhile to persuade the Academy, we as the audience applaud Stephen Spielberg when he ventures into new territory, as he’s increasingly done with Amistad, The Terminal, Memoirs of a Geisha, and now Munich.

I think Jerry’s future is bright should he choose to challenge the notion of a stereotypical Bruckheimer pic. LINK (Reposted)