Super Bowl 50 was on the screens of TVs around the country last night, as millions watched the Panthers and the Broncos go at it for the championship title. This Super Bowl was many things: probably Peyton Manning’s last, definitely Cam Newton’s first, and both faced the possibility of having a record-breaking game. But for many of us, it’s just a space filler for the real show tonight: the commercials! Here’s our lineup and review of the best Super Bowl commercials that aired during the game this year.
Esurance
Post-Gaga and pre-coin toss we were blessed with a hilarious Esurance commercial full of ironic (and potentially hazardous) situations. I guarantee that each time you watch this commercial you will find it even funnier than the last. Keep your eye on the ball, and then (for the second time you watch it) keep your eye on what people drop/throw/break when they pass on the ball made of money.
Hyundai
For all of us with over-protective dads: rejoice. We are not alone. Kevin Hart shows his father-knows-best side in this Hyundai commercial where he follows his daughter everywhere she goes on her first date. Nothing really beats seeing Kevin Hart’s face pop out of a wall of stuffed animals and scaring the crap out of a teenaged boy.
Another Hyundai commercial gets a thumbs up this Super Bowl season for one reason and one reason only: Ryan Reynolds appearance in basically every scene of this commercial.
Whether riding a bike, writing a speeding ticket (to himself), playing football (with himself), doing yardwork (with himself), or walking four dogs, we couldn’t get enough Ryan Reynolds. For that, Hyundai, we thank you.
Snickers
Okay. Maybe watching Willem Defoe in Marilyn Monroe garb beats watching Kevin Hart break through the stuffed animal wall. So many things about this Snickers commcercial are on point. First, who thinks it’s okay for someone wearing heals to stand on a grate? Just, no. Second, yes, Snickers are definitely delicious. And third, mixing modern with classic by using a real clip of Marilyn added a really unique touch to this commercial. We approve, Snickers. Well done.
Apartments.com
This commercial is kind of like having a dream. And in this dream, Jeff Goldblum promotes apartments.com while playing the piano, singing, and riding the piano bench up to the rooftop of a New York City apartment building. When he gets to the top of this apartment building, George Washington and the barbeque-ing, apple pie-making Lil Wayne are awaiting his arrival. How could you not love this one?
Doritos
Every year, faithful fans look forward to the Doritos Super Bowl commercials. This year, it was definitely worth the wait. During an ultrasound, the father of the baby is eating Doritos while his wife is being jellied up and examined. When the baby comes up on the monitor, he starts reaching out for the father’s Doritos and, in the end, realizes that there is only one way to get those Doritos – and that is to be born. The best part of the commercial has to be the doctor’s face when she realizes that the baby is going to come flying out of the womb to go after the chips.
Bud Light
Amy Schumer and Seth Rogan take the cake for commercials in the first half of Super Bowl 50. The Bud Light Commercial features not only Schumer and Rogan, but also the crowd pleasing Paul Rudd. And it was the perfect time to use a political theme. Raise your hand if you see a problem with our country being run by Amy Schumer, Seth Rogan, and Bud Light. No one? Thought so.
T-Mobile
We love a man who can admit when he’s wrong and move on from it. In this T-Mobile commercial, Steve Harvey does just that. Making a comeback from his Miss Universe mishap, he pokes fun at not only himself, but also at Verizon Wireless. He says he’s not taking responsibility for the fact that more people are switching from Verizon to T-Mobile, and we don’t blame him!
However, there’s another contender for the best T-Mobile commercial – Drake taking lyrical advice from wireless carriers.
“You used to call me on my cell phone, device eligible for upgrade after twenty-four months…” Catchy. Dance away, wireless carriers.
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg got its first Super Bowl ad slot this year for Super Bowl 50 and there could not have been a more appropriate time. This commercial showed video footage of everyone: old and young, black and white, male and female, republican and democrat. The purpose was to remind everyone in the nation that we are the people and that we all started in the same place, felt some of the same heartbreak, and have gone through some of the same hardships. Sure, the main message was to visit Colonial Williamsburg, but there’s nothing wrong with a little sentimentality! #Merica
No More
We love to laugh at the funny commercials, sigh at the cute ones, and maybe tear up a little at the emotional ones. But what about the commercials that have a very serious message, like this one for No More? This commercial alerts us to keep an eye out for the signs of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Budweiser
Listening to seventy-one seconds of the snarky Helen Mirren was one of the most uplifting moments of Super Bowl 50. In this Budweiser commercial, Dame Helen Mirren said what we were all thinking: why do people still drive drunk? If you do drive drunk, you will be called “a short sighted, utterly useless, oxygen wasting human form,” by this perfectly blunt yet poised Englishwoman. And you’ll deserve it.
Subaru/Doritos/Heinz
All three of these companies featured winning commercials this Super Bowl. Why? Because
Puppies. That’s why.
Watching the awkwardly adorable Peyton Manning win Super Bowl 50 was pretty rewarding. But watching babies follow Doritos out of wombs and Lil Wayne holding out an apple pie might have been just a little bit better. Think we missed a great commercial? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter!