I don’t intend to review all the Quebec ads that come out this campaign since, by most of the definitions offered, I’m not a member of the Quebec nation. I will do a quick overview of them at some point, if only to get an idea of the Quebec strategies the parties are using.

But the NDP “Bush Ad” is just so darn impressive that it’s worth taking a look at.

First Impressions: And I thought the new Batman movie was dark…

Ad Intent: Harper = Bush = scary

Tagline: Le Pouvoir de Changer

Things that work: It’s incredibly powerful with great imagery guaranteed to make you take notice and give you chills – some of the effects are almost subliminal (watch the little kid’s head explode at the 5 second mark). It attacks Harper on the issues where he’s vulnerable and there doesn’t appear to have been much of a “they’ve gone too far” backlash.

Things that don’t work: Very little, except for the one knock I’ll mention when I grade it.

Soldiers in our Cities with Guns: The black and white, larger than life leaders, soldiers, and tanks, gave me a strong “World War 2 Newsflash” vibe. I’m thinking that was probably intentional.

Do You Like Handcuffs: A pair of shackled hands appear as the image under the words “esclave des petrolieres“.

Cliché Score: 3 (The Harper-Bush comparison is worth a point. The black and white in an attack ad is worth a point. The military imagery is worth a point.)

Grade: A-
It’s an A+ ad on it’s own. Still, I need to dock them some marks because I’m not convinced the NDP are actually fighting the Tories for votes in Quebec. NDP votes will come more from the Bloc, so it’s debatable how much this will actually help them.

Reader Grade:

Previous Ads: See the softer side of Steve, Bad actors love Harper, Jack Attack, THE Green Shift, Viva Los Vegas