Movies get science wrong–it’s okay, really
Tony over at Astronomy Buff went to see Spidey 3 recently. I haven’t seen it yet, but will probably go soon–maybe even this weekend. Regardless, like a lot of SciFi, sometimes the “sci” is way to “fi”, if you catch my drift. How many times have I been watching a TV show or movie and just groaned at the science (or shear and utter lack there of) in the program? I’ve lost count. I think the same thing happens to Tony:
I love science fiction and, to a lesser extent, the comic book stuff. I see all the movies and read a great many books. I think science fiction plays an important role in our overall scientific progress.
Source: Astronomy Buff - The Physics of Spiderman 3
But … I don’t groan or over-analyze the flaws in the show all the time. Sometimes, in fact most of the time, I suspend my belief in all things science and just enjoy the show.
Beyond the standard stuff (superheroes, etc) that doesn’t happen in our world, just letting the science slide is a good thing to do now and then.
Of course, I do get rather miffed if my kids think the science of entertainment is anything like the science of reality. Those times are, however, great teachable moments about how things really are and really work.
So enjoy the movies, just make sure your kids have it right in the end!
May 8th, 2007 at 5:32 am
I just wonder, why do they spend so much time creating fake computer software when they have real software that does the exact same thing?! It just seems weird, even creating a mock up of some software takes time. It seems more cost effective and would be more realistic to just use the real stuff.
May 9th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Johan,
I think it is a legal issue. Advertiser pay big money to feature a product, brand or even a concept in the movies, so they cannot really advertise someone’s software for free plus it could mean that you are endorsing it.
May 9th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Usually it’s that the software in the movies needs to look cooler that reality. Make more sounds, etc. Licensing? Not an issue … anyone would be happy to have their software in a movie!
May 26th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
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