Post 10: Unstoppable

Before I elaborate on this commercial, I just want to throw out a disclaimer that I will not be analyzing "Impossible Is Nothing" because that slogan is better suited for a five page essay.

Mobility is an aspect in life that we value dearly every day (assuming we do not become hypnotized blobs like those in WALL-E). At least for basketball players, this commercial advertises a shoe that hints at invulnerability in terms of mobility: those who possess the shoes cannot be stopped. There are four elements that function to display mobility in this commercial: color, size and quantity, and speed.

There is a stark contrast between the colors of Tracy McGrady's clothing and the helicopters, humvees, and the soldiers' clothing. The polar opposites of white and black suggest defense and offense. The "white" team is quick on covering ground and air; however, McGrady's mobility is even more impressive since he can still move while being binded by ropes. One may notice that McGrady's shoes are also white; the contrast between McGrady's dark clothing and white shoes serves to emphasize the "power" of the shoes.

Size and quantity also contribute to the theme of mobility of this commercial. Although helicopters and humvees are realistically larger than a person, the wearer of these shoes make him or her larger than life. In addition, the number of vehicles and soldiers are irrelevant. Despite the amount of rope that the soldiers shoot and throw out of their vehicles (which may represent defense) McGrady manages to continue moving - with the shoes of course.

Finally, the speed of McGrady's movements is in slow motion as opposed to the "real time" around him. Similarly, the commercial contrasts two things - slow and fast speeds - to make a statement on mobility. McGrady is like a rolling cannonball: he might be moving slowly, but since his mass is so big his momentum would carry him and he would run through or crush anything.

Combining these four elements result in this commercial not only selling shoes but also displaying a person's unstoppable mobility by wearing these shoes. Unlike the mobility of technology allowing people to multi-task using one device, the commercial suggests that the mobility of these shoes allow people to break out of being uniform or one; in other words, they allow one to break constraints and do things that normal shoes would not allow them to do (specifically break down opponents and be able to jump). Ultimately, the commercial says this: Wear the shoes, move freely, and become unstoppable.