We called Toyota's Brazil-like advertisement about the escape from an overprotective society that discouraged self expression and driving joy one of the best car ads in years. Without a hint of self-awareness or irony the British government has banned the ad because "the ad portrayed speed and the way the car could be handled in a manner that might encourage motorists to drive irresponsibly."
This, after two people complained. TWO! When we called this a dystopian future we clearly erred. Britain is the dystopian present.
The ad promotes the Toyota GT-86 sports car (known here as the Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ) as a break from the hum-drum econoboxes — probably built by Toyota — driven by the soulless inhabitants of this not-so-future world.
By purchasing an exciting car and driving it with enthusiasm, the spot's star runs afoul of society's norms and is chased through the streets until arriving at the end of town. He bursts through only to find the real world on the other side.
It's animation and, even for an animated ad, the driving isn't wild. And yet, two people thought inciting people to live for once in their god damn boring lives would cause society to crumble and everyone to drive like moronic asshats.
So they're banning the ad.
If anyone wants to escape England and come to America to seek asylum we don't blame you. We're the real world on the other side of the world. At least for now.