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Hollywood Science Trilogy (Part 1)
Hollywood movies supposedly set the standards for others around the world in terms of cinematic excellence. No wonder, cinema goers around the world gasp every time a hero in an action flick saves himself, his family, his dog and eventually his country. From giant monsters to natural disasters, to out- and -out science fiction – there is always a logical explanation to everything weird that happens on screen. From atomic explosions converting unassuming reptiles into Godzillas to turning dead soldiers into undead universal soldiers – science has always bridged the gap between common sense and the script writer’s absurdity.
However, let’s look beyond the ‘Hi-tech’ science of the supporting cast dressed in white overalls. We won’t even mention the movies that bummed in the box office. The movies in question are highly successful flicks not just in America but all over the world.
Alien Attacks
The movie Independence Day is one of the classic examples of the ‘Aliens invade Earth” plot. How a man hacks into the incomprehensively advanced alien computer system and uploads a virus to blow up the gigantic mother ship is still open for debate. I am not ever going to question the abilities of a human mind.
However, there are other things that need explanation. The mother ship supposedly has a mass, equal to one-quarter the mass of the Moon and is more than 10 times closer than the Moon. The ship’s gravity itself can trigger catastrophic tides and earthquakes just like a Tsunami. This doesn’t happen and poor aliens had to send out smaller crafts to hover before unleashing flaming death-rays. Now, talking about the smaller ships – to allow a ship to hover – there must be an upward force equal to the weight acting on it. One Mr. Newton said so in his third law. So, the ship must be exerting a downward force. If this involves air, the city beneath will be crushed by air pressure. Somehow, this never happens and our aliens had to waste precious energy on those death rays.
Scientists have discovered an asteroid on a direct collision course with Earth. If the asteroid hits, it will destroy all life on the planet (yes, we are talking Bruce Willis starrer Armageddon). The solution is to fly a space shuttle out to the asteroid, drill into the rock and place a nuclear bomb in that hole. The explosion will blow the asteroid in half
, and each half will be deflected to either sides of the Earth. Now, we were told that the asteroid is “the size of Texas”, which means it has a diameter of about 700 miles. But, Bruce Willis and his team drilled for about 800 meters – which, I am afraid is just like scratching the surface – and still managed to split the asteroid into two halves. Amazing, isn’t it?
Superheroes
Super heroes have super powers. Therefore, they are conveniently out of scientific explanation. However, we have the savior of Gotham – Batman – who has no superpowers. So, here’s where the physics doesn’t add up.
In the 1989 Batman flick, Batman and Kim Basinger are dangling over a ledge, they lose their grip and fall before Batman’s retractable rope-hook catches on a gargoyle, saving them from crashing to death on the ground below.
Mr. Newton enters the scene gain with his First Law: internal organs aren’t fixed to the frame of the body, so they will continue to move “at a constant speed in a straight line until acted on by a net external force”. That is, until they split your ribcage. Batman’s rope isn’t very elastic like a bungee cord to negate their magnitude. But, they still live to save the day and make a few more sequels.
But this is Hollywood…anything can happen, and we adore it for that.
Disclaimer
This Trilogy thing is nothing but just to keep you under the impression that I can come up with more of whatever I've written. As far as I know myself, chance of a Part 2 is slim. Part 3 of the trilogy you ask? Forget it.
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However, let’s look beyond the ‘Hi-tech’ science of the supporting cast dressed in white overalls. We won’t even mention the movies that bummed in the box office. The movies in question are highly successful flicks not just in America but all over the world.
Alien Attacks
The movie Independence Day is one of the classic examples of the ‘Aliens invade Earth” plot. How a man hacks into the incomprehensively advanced alien computer system and uploads a virus to blow up the gigantic mother ship is still open for debate. I am not ever going to question the abilities of a human mind.
However, there are other things that need explanation. The mother ship supposedly has a mass, equal to one-quarter the mass of the Moon and is more than 10 times closer than the Moon. The ship’s gravity itself can trigger catastrophic tides and earthquakes just like a Tsunami. This doesn’t happen and poor aliens had to send out smaller crafts to hover before unleashing flaming death-rays. Now, talking about the smaller ships – to allow a ship to hover – there must be an upward force equal to the weight acting on it. One Mr. Newton said so in his third law. So, the ship must be exerting a downward force. If this involves air, the city beneath will be crushed by air pressure. Somehow, this never happens and our aliens had to waste precious energy on those death rays.
Disaster Strikes
Scientists have discovered an asteroid on a direct collision course with Earth. If the asteroid hits, it will destroy all life on the planet (yes, we are talking Bruce Willis starrer Armageddon). The solution is to fly a space shuttle out to the asteroid, drill into the rock and place a nuclear bomb in that hole. The explosion will blow the asteroid in half
, and each half will be deflected to either sides of the Earth. Now, we were told that the asteroid is “the size of Texas”, which means it has a diameter of about 700 miles. But, Bruce Willis and his team drilled for about 800 meters – which, I am afraid is just like scratching the surface – and still managed to split the asteroid into two halves. Amazing, isn’t it?
Superheroes
Super heroes have super powers. Therefore, they are conveniently out of scientific explanation. However, we have the savior of Gotham – Batman – who has no superpowers. So, here’s where the physics doesn’t add up.
In the 1989 Batman flick, Batman and Kim Basinger are dangling over a ledge, they lose their grip and fall before Batman’s retractable rope-hook catches on a gargoyle, saving them from crashing to death on the ground below.
Mr. Newton enters the scene gain with his First Law: internal organs aren’t fixed to the frame of the body, so they will continue to move “at a constant speed in a straight line until acted on by a net external force”. That is, until they split your ribcage. Batman’s rope isn’t very elastic like a bungee cord to negate their magnitude. But, they still live to save the day and make a few more sequels.
But this is Hollywood…anything can happen, and we adore it for that.
Disclaimer
This Trilogy thing is nothing but just to keep you under the impression that I can come up with more of whatever I've written. As far as I know myself, chance of a Part 2 is slim. Part 3 of the trilogy you ask? Forget it.
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