The Best Movie Trailers of the Week: ‘Crimson Peak,’ ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ and More

Welcome back to Best Movie Trailers of the Week, a column where we handpick the best new movie trailers that have arrived online over the past week.

Crimson Peak

I’ve got faith in Guillermo del Toro, but I’ve still been having a tough time wrapping my head around the idea of a house that “breathes, bleeds… and remembers.” However, this very first trailer for Crimson Peak uses stunningly detailed imagery and just the right amount of story to simply suggest that it’s possible without spoiling exactly what Mia Wasikowska’s character will be dealing with in the full feature.

Pitch Perfect 2

The latest Pitch Perfect 2 trailer doesn’t really suggest that the sequel narrative will take the Barden Bellas to a new level, but the first film is so much fun, the music is so catchy and the characters are so likable that it doesn’t have to. I’ll be a bit bummed if the full feature doesn’t bring more to the table as far as the story goes, but from a marketing perspective, more of the same is actually pure gold.

The Divergent Series: Insurgent

Now this is where the Insurgent marketing campaign should have started. Epic CG stunts can be cool, but they’re not going to mean anything unless you lay the groundwork first — and that’s exactly what this latest trailer does. You do get guns and loads of out-of-this-world simulation action, but only after the piece describes the state of the society and why Tris’ Divergence is so important to it.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

As someone who’s never seen a single episode of the 1960s TV series, I’ve never cared much for The Man from U.N.C.L.E., but this trailer actually suggests that the movie could be loads of fun whether you’re a longtime fan or not. It’s so refreshing to see Henry Cavill turn up the charm and get a little silly after playing such serious heroes in Immortals and Man of Steel. He and Armie Hammer really could wind up making an especially amusing and entertaining pair in this one.

Regression

Even though I couldn’t understand a single word any of the characters were saying, that initial Spanish-language trailer for Regression was actually pretty effective. Striking, well-composed images and the unsettling ticking of a metronome go a long way. The marketing team could have left it at that and the promo still would have made the cut, but then Universal unveiled an English-language version and, as one might expect, knowing what the characters are saying makes the footage immensely more disturbing. You can check out the English version below, but I recommend giving the Spanish one a watch first just to get a taste of how powerful a strong beat and visuals can be on their own.

Backcountry

Afraid of bears? No? You will be. The very first trailer for the Toronto International Film Festival official selection Backcountry just dropped, and while it does give a rather comprehensive overview of what goes down in the film, nothing can prepare you for seeing the moments in context. Full disclosure: I’ve got a quote in this one, so why not go all out? If you’re on the hunt for a “disturbingly brilliant” film, I really couldn’t recommend this enough. Backcountry hits theaters on March 20th via IFC Midnight.

The Longest Ride

I’m not into Nicholas Sparks movies and this special Valentine’s Day trailer for The Longest Ride won’t change that, but it is an effective piece that’ll absolutely lure fans in. The trailer does a solid job selling the two main players and then expertly weaving in the relationship parallels from the past in a manner that actually enhances Britt Robertson and Scott Eastwood’s relationship. Again, it’s a bit too schmaltzy for my taste, and come April 10 I’ll probably take a pass on it, but if Sparks’ movies are your thing, this trailer sells The Longest Ride as a quality entry.

What are your favorite movie trailers of the week?

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