The reports of Disney screening the first 65 minutes of Toy Story 3 at college campuses around the country has been circulating since March, so what better time than now for the New York Times to realize they exist. In an article yesterday, the Paper of Record reports on the screenings from the front line -- ie; college campuses where students are screaming "No!" when the projector cuts out right before the film's climax.
Disney had hoped these screenings would help create a grassroots "gotta see" movement among "Andyites" -- college kids who were young children when the original Toy Story came out -- as if they wouldn't rush out to see the movie when it opens in July anyway. (The Times stipulates that the 18-to-24-year-old demographic doesn't go see animated films, though that claim seems specious at best.) But while many students have been pleased with the footage, there are a few who haven't drank the Kool-Aid. Like 23-year-old Ethan Young, who tweeted: "As much as I would love to see Toy Story 3 tonight, I would NOT like to see a 'special cliffhanger edition.' Fail."
Fail indeed. And for those wondering: That's the second time the Times has ever used "fail" in that context; the first was in reference to Sarah Palin's Fox News debut.
ยท Disney Uses Cliffhanger to Market 'Toy Story 3' [New York Times]