The Ads of Super Bowl XLII

"New Genesis" | Hyundai

Summary: leek silver car winds its way over mountain roads. Announcer says you’re expecting some unexpected twist in this commercial, like Richard Simmons doing aerobics. But no, Hyundai is just introducing its 375 horsepower Genesis.

High Point: None visible to the naked eye, other than absence of Richard Simmons.

Low Point: Expectations unfulfilled.

Is this commercial an agent of change? Do you really care how much horsepower your car has?

"Wall · E" | Disney

Summary: Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Disney’s Toy Story sit on couch eating popcorn while Wall · E, a robot character in an upcoming Disney movie, interacts with a 16 gallon, 5 HP Wet/Dry Vacuum.

High Point: The little Pixar architect’s industrial lamp gets sucked into a Shop-Vac Brand industrial wet-dry vacuum.

Low Point: Disney characters talking about other Disney characters. What do they think this is — a Sunday morning political talk show?

Is this commercial an agent of change? Yes. It’s about time we brought the high-brow cinema of Disney animation into Home Depot to jump-start the economy.