Now, we here at Esquire like to think of ourselves as well-travelled men of the world. We are able to appreciate the subtle flavours of Sushi and can hold a steady conversation surrounding the stellar cinematic catalogue of Akira Kurosawa. That being said, we have absolutely no idea what any of this Japanese Pepsi advert is about.
In fact, we’re really not sure what the most baffling thing about it even is. Is it the fact that Pepsi Strong – a dangerous sounding fizzy drink that promises more carbonation and more caffeine than any other concoction currently on the market – is using demons in their new advertising campaign? Or is it the fact that for some even more bizarre reason the people behind this advert somehow thought it would be a good idea to attempt a fauxhawk hairstyle on what is left of Jude Law’s hair?
Either way, we’d hazard a guess that the very same people behind this advert were drinking something slightly more potent than Pepsi Strong when they were brain-storming ideas.
The fourth instalment of the series so far (meaning there will be even more insanity to come) depicts the travails Japanese folk-hero Momotarō and his battle against the mythical demon Oni. The demon Oni is, of course, played in human form by Jude Law of The Holiday and Alfie fame. Yes, the very same Jude Law who has been nominated for the MTV’s Best Kiss Award, not once, but twice (He never won having lost out to Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell respectively, just in case you were interested) plays the role of an ancient demon that terrorises the hero’s island home. We’ll just let that sentence sink in for a bit.
All settled? Right. Now you’re probably also wondering why a man of Law’s pedigree would be willing to star in such a menial advert? What could have possibly spurred lovely Jude to go from the heights of The Talented Mr Ripley to whatever this is? Well, the answer is quite simple really – enough yen to erase any possible memories of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. With the promise of this money most likely having been written on a filthy bar napkin in Osaka and passed to Jude after a wealthy Japanese business executive had one too many Saki’s and accidentally ordered Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on pay-per-view.
As big fans of Jude, we wholeheartedly support both this and any product that he wishes to endorse in the near future. We’ve already had 3 bottles of Pepsi Strong and have lost nearly all sensation in our lower body. Fantastic stuff.
