All over the world, young men and women are glued to their screens, anxiously waiting as the seconds tick by. They're not refreshing just any webpage—they're waiting for the release of the "Winston" trailer, an event promising pure adrenaline.
The "Winston" trailer brings together the most thrilling parts of the feature film, with every second packed full of excitement. Often, viewers are left feeling that the trailer might even be more intense than the film itself.
Robert sits in front of his computer, eager to watch the "Winston" trailer along with fans around the globe. He's keen to dive into the comments and reactions from others, waiting with bated breath as the countdown ticks closer to noon.
Only 60 seconds remain.
This minute tugs at the heartstrings of movie fans worldwide, with everyone hoping for a trailer even more electrifying than the last big hit, "Soldier 76." While "Winston" is bound to surpass "Soldier: 76" in sheer spectacle, it lacks the deeper, philosophical themes of its predecessor. "Soldier: 76" tackles war, peace, and the core of human values, conveying messages that go beyond heroism. It's about faith—faith in victory, faith in overcoming, and, most importantly, a belief that one individual can indeed make a difference.
Robert often associates the word "faith" with "Soldier: 76." The entire film exudes an unbreakable sense of purpose, showing Soldier 76 conquering the odds and battling forces no one believed he could overcome. Against the impossible, he emerges victorious, proving the power of belief. Even the military doubted, yet he stood resolute, declaring, "I alone am an army."
In contrast, "Winston" explores the clash between human civilization and technological evolution. It asks a fascinating question: What happens when genetically modified gorillas gain human-like intelligence? The consequences of technological advancement, the film suggests, can either uplift society or lead to disaster—"Winston" shows us the latter.
Winston, the protagonist, is a genetically modified gorilla with intelligence rivaling humans. Unlike the others of his kind, his intelligence extends beyond physical power. Originally endowed with the mind of a young child, Winston's genetic modifications bring him to a higher intellectual level. Yet, he does not succumb to his more savage instincts. Under the guidance of Dr. Harold Winston, his mentor, Winston remains a devoted experiment subject, upholding human ideals even when his kind rebels.
As the final seconds of the countdown approach, Overwatch Pictures' official website becomes swamped with traffic. Robert, too, struggles to access it. Despite his top-notch internet speed and equipment, the page simply won't load. It's evident that countless fans are flooding the website, causing it to crash. He can already imagine the frustration of international fans after waiting for so long, only to encounter a broken page.
He imagines the outrage online: "This company should just shut down!" "Can't even manage a website, yet they're making movies?" and perhaps even, "Did Robert spend all his money elsewhere instead of on good tech support?" The criticisms are likely scathing.
Robert's frustration boils over, and he immediately calls Lucy, his colleague at Overwatch Pictures. When Lucy picks up, she's briefly surprised—the CEO rarely makes personal calls. But as soon as she answers, she's met with his irritated voice.
"Lucy, get the tech team to fix the site—it's crashed!"
Momentarily stunned, Lucy pauses before finally responding, "Alright, got it." She takes a deep breath after the call. It's rare to see Robert this riled up; usually, he keeps his composure. Yet, she can't help but feel relieved—his reaction shows that he's fully invested in the company.
Lucy relays Robert's urgent message to the tech department. In truth, the team had already been working furiously to restore the page. Upon hearing Robert's frustration, they double their efforts, typing at lightning speed. Being fired would be a disaster, especially given how anticipated this trailer is.
Despite their efforts to prepare, the tech team couldn't predict the sheer volume of fans eager to see the trailer. They'd anticipated a surge in visitors but underestimated just how high the numbers would go.
Meanwhile, Robert refreshes the page one last time—and this time, it works. The trailer loads smoothly, and he watches as the image of a gorilla in battle armor appears on the screen. The clock reads 12:03 p.m.
The site was back up within three minutes, an impressive recovery, and Robert finally feels his frustration ease. He considers his response and thinks, maybe he does need to be more vocal as a CEO to prevent situations like this.
The main image slider on the site displays a striking image of Winston in armor. At first glance, he appears fierce, but a closer look reveals a softer side—he wears round glasses that give him an almost gentle expression. This blend of ferocity and kindness creates an intriguing contrast, drawing viewers in. Below the image, the words "Winston Trailer" stand out, making it clear where to click.
Robert clicks on the link and watches the trailer on repeat, thoroughly captivated. He isn't alone in his enthusiasm; millions are watching, with forums lighting up with reactions soon after.
In just two and a half minutes, the trailer becomes the hottest topic on film forums, especially on Douban, a popular site for movie fans. Headlines featuring "Winston Trailer" dominate the homepage, reflecting the massive interest.
Robert clicks into a post by a Douban user with the prestigious "Dou Emperor" rank, a title reserved for high-level users on the platform. Levels on Douban increase based on engagement—users gain levels by sharing film reviews, insights, and predictions. The hierarchy runs from Bean Apprentice to Bean Emperor, with Dou Emperors recognized for their discerning, well-thought-out evaluations. Their reviews are highly influential, and some studios even hire them to promote films.
But as Robert reads, he notices a peculiar tone in this post. The review is enthusiastic, bordering on excessive praise—almost to the point of seeming insincere. It leaves him wondering, did Overwatch Pictures hire this person? No, he would have known.
Lost in thought, Robert chuckles at the irony. Sometimes, praise can come off as dubious even when it's genuine, especially from fans who idolize the production.