5 Memorable Appearances of the Lexus in Popular Culture
Here's a selection of times we think the Lexus spirit was captured in a different cultural context.
1. Minority Report
Lexus is warmly represented in a wide range of films, including science fiction. Even if this circa 2054 Lexus hasn't been invented in the real world yet, it's the preferred method of transport for Tom Cruise's character in Steven Spielberg's Minority Report. Much like Will Smith's hi-tech Audi in I, Robot, we're wondering how policemen of the future manage to afford such snazzy vehicles. Then again, in a movie featuring psychics and jetpacks, a suspension of disbelief is practically required from the get-go.
2. Lexus LS 400 in Shaft (2000)
The original Shaft was a cornerstone of streetwise police movies in the 1970s. Although not a remake by strict definition, the 2000 version of Shaft brought the franchise back to the forefront, thanks in no small part to the starring contributions of one Samuel L. Jackson. The gritty streets and grim morality are accented by the appearance of a 1990 Lexus LS 400. With bullet holes in the windshield, this is definitely one of the less glamorous instances you'll see a Lexus in.
3. Lexus LS 400 in The Dentist
Often seen as a sort of parody of American slasher movies, The Dentist was an undeniably silly horror film. Intended to play about peoples' common fear of going to the dentist, the movie failed to elicit much of a reaction from anyone, although it did manage to churn out a sequel a few years later. With that said, one of the film's most memorable moments is a scene where the eponymous dentist (played by Corbin Bernsen) is driving a '91 Lexus LS 400 and listening to opera music. The scene, however brief, seeks to establish the dentist as a higher-brow sort of guy. Given the Lexus brand's typical association with luxury and elegance, we get the feeling the choice of brand played an intentional part in saying what the filmmakers wanted about their murderous protagonist.
4. Sriracha Lexus IS
Is there such a thing as a Hot Saucemobile? According to Lexus, there is now. We couldn't resist adding this example of Lexus in the list; Sriracha sauce has become something of a pop cultural staple of its own, as evidenced by Lexus' inspiration behind this car. Created from scratch in three months, Lexus and Huy Fong Foods partnered up to create the fabled Sriracha Lexus IS. Everything from the paint job to the steering wheel has been custom-crafted to reflect the hot sauce. To cap it off, the car's trunk is reportedly filled to the brim with Sriracha sauce. Considering the cult-like popularity behind Sriracha, this showcase has no doubt helped with Lexus exposure as much as any ad spot or movie placement.
5. Lexus Skyjet in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
As with Minority Report, Lexus are still every bit as happy to imagine the future these days. The upcoming film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets will feature a shuttlecraft that Lexus themselves designed for the movie. Although the shuttle is a purely fantastical creation as of yet, you might still pick out the distinctively smooth and sleek traits in its design that Lexus are already known for in the present era. Though it remains to be seen exactly how this design will factor into the film itself, it cannot hurt Lexus' appropriately stellar reputation for being part of a colorful vision of the future.
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