My favorite sports commercial as a kid. I don't really remember why, although its hard not get infected with that triumphant tune. I love it now because there's nothing more difficult or more rewarding then getting up in the morning and making a training session the first thing you do.

The world is, in fact, just awesome.

A lot of classmates had these posters up in their rooms in college. That may be the only stereotypical trope from college that I never got annoyed with. Apple has, obviously, outgrown the image of innovative outsider. Ad copy can be beautiful when delivered simply and without irony: "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Social media blahbity blahbity. BUT! it's very cool to see a commercial that connects our emotions with our technology.

"Institutional advertising" that tries to raise awareness for a brand seems less common than it used to be, maybe because there are better segment markets to advertise in than national network platforms. But commercials that appeal to your sense of community, patriotism and altruism will almost always get and keep my attention.

No narrative to this one, but it makes the list thanks to a beautiful soundtrack, an intricate and expensive live-action shoot (no special effects) and for spelling colors the British way.

If I had to pick a commercial to put in a time capsule to communicate the human condition to an alien race, this would be the one. It would be hard to find a commercial that captures more emotion with better economy. And god damn if that crescendo doesn't give you the chills.

A couple favorite shots:

Julie Moss crawling across the Ironman finish line (0:31)

Derek Redmond getting carried across the finish line by his dad (0:49)