Action movies are often known to defy the laws of physics. Falling down and being perfectly fine afterwards, superhuman strength, the ability to not get hit by a hail of bullets are a few examples of how action movies stretch and defy the laws of physics. These instances may break the suspension of disbelief, taking the viewer completely out of the film. However, the filmmaker may need to push and pull the laws of physics in order to maximize the emotion or intensity of a scene. Physics is often played with in animation films, but in this essay, I will focus on the physics of action films. Action films may not purposefully play up or down the laws of physics, but it happens very frequently. In this essay, I will be writing about how three films have broken the laws of physics, and whether if they were done tastefully or not. The three films that I will be writing about are: Batman Begins (2005), The Punisher (2003), and Stardust (2007.) In each of the films, the physics are broken differently. I will go through each individual scene, and explain how they are broken. Then I will write if this was done appropriately for dramatic flair or if it was just an oversight.
The first film I will be writing about is Batman Begins. It was directed in 2005 by Christopher Nolan, and starring Christian Bale and Liam Neeson. It depicts the beginnings of Batman, also known as Bruce Wayne -- in a dark and grim retelling of the Batman origin. When Bruce’s parents are murdered in cold-blood in a random, violent mugging, Bruce Wayne dedicates himself to traveling the world, and training himself in order to fight against injustice. In his travels, he meets Henri Ducard who helps train him to become a member of the League of Shadows. The film is fast-paced and well-directed, but upon looking closely, there are problems with the physics of the film.
The specific scene I will be referring to happens near the beginning of the film -- about 17 minutes in. Bruce Wayne is dueling with his mentor, Henri Ducard. They are fencing with swords on top of a frozen lake.
However, when their blades clash, there is no power behind the attack. Whenever one of them defends from an attack, they are not appropriately pushed back. Newton’s third law of physics states that for every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction. But here in this example, Ducard attacks twice, quickly in succession. Bruce is able to block the attacks, but his body or sword does not move when Ducard’s sword strikes. Bruce’s body remains very still when there is a force -- Ducard -- pushing against him.
However, when their blades clash, there is no power behind the attack. Whenever one of them defends from an attack, they are not appropriately pushed back. Newton’s third law of physics states that for every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction. But here in this example, Ducard attacks twice, quickly in succession. Bruce is able to block the attacks, but his body or sword does not move when Ducard’s sword strikes. Bruce’s body remains very still when there is a force -- Ducard -- pushing against him.
In the case of Batman Begins, this physics inaccuracy may be because of safety issues with the swords while filming or perhaps inadequate training with stuntwork. However, I do not think this inaccuracy hurts the film. It is not very noticeable unless the viewer is watching very closely. The point of this scene is to show two warriors nearly equal in strength, yet one is able to outwit the other with experience. Therefore, I do not think the action-reaction principle has to be as pronounced in this scene. If the two warriors are nearly equal in strength, they may not bend or break when they clash.
The second film I will be looking at is the Punisher. Directed in 2004 by Jonathan Hensleigh, the film stars Thomas Jane as Frank Castle -- also known as the Punisher -- and John Travolta as the villain Howard Saint. Frank Castle is working undercover as an arms dealer. At an arms deal, the FBI raids the seaport and kills Saint’s son who was present at the deal. Saint is enraged, and finds more info about Castle, and later sends a squad to murder Frank Castle and his entire family. Castle is able to survive and get away, and exact brutal vengeance upon Howard Saint and his cohorts.
The scene I will be referencing from this film begins about an hour and five minutes into the film. Frank Castle is cornered against by a mob hitman.
The hitman uses a sawed off shotgun to shoot at Frank’s car. However, the shotgun doesn’t seem to have any recoil. The hitman shoots at Frank’s car multiple times, but his body barely reacts to the gun. Once again, according to Newton’s third law of physics, the amount of force produced by the shotgun should recoil the hitman’s arms back. However, in the film, he barely budges at all.
The hitman uses a sawed off shotgun to shoot at Frank’s car. However, the shotgun doesn’t seem to have any recoil. The hitman shoots at Frank’s car multiple times, but his body barely reacts to the gun. Once again, according to Newton’s third law of physics, the amount of force produced by the shotgun should recoil the hitman’s arms back. However, in the film, he barely budges at all.
I think in this case, the film does not do a good job of suspending our disbelief. In order to display the power the hitman wields, he should react appropriately to the power of the shotgun blasts. The viewer has to feel that Frank is in danger because of this mob hitman with a powerful shotgun, but it doesn’t come off that way. The shotgun blasts falls flat because the shooter isn’t able to show the recoil of the gun.
The final movie I will be looking at is Stardust. It is an action-adventure film based off a book by Neil Gaiman. It is the story of a missing prince -- Tristan played by Charlie Cox -- who falls in love with a falling star -- Yvaine, played by Claire Danes. They are beset by three evil witches who feast on the fallen stars, in order to gain immortality and maintain their beauty.
Near the end of the film, Tristan’s uncle Prince Septimus throws his sword towards the villain of the film, Lamia the Dark Queen of the Witches. The force of the throw consequently launches Lamia through a door, and impales her against a wall.
The thrown sword actually forces the Queen back around ten feet and lifts her off her feet. In this case, the reaction to the action is disproportionate. Nowhere in the film has Prince Septimus been shown to have this incredible strength. When this action occurs, it is very jarring, but it fits the tone of the film. Stardust is a fantastical film with flying ships and witches and magic. When this act occurs, it seems almost comical which fits in with the rest of the film. Stardust contains a specific tone and charm, so when it breaks the laws of physics like in this moment, it is not so strange although somewhat jarring.
In conclusion, there are many examples of where the laws of physics breaks in films. Sometimes it is done on purpose for exaggerated effect -- whether for drama or comedy -- which needs to be will thoughtout. When the laws of physics are broken because of an inattention to detail, the result is a dud. Therefore, filmmakers need to be very aware of the laws of physics so they can break it or stretch if needed.
The thrown sword actually forces the Queen back around ten feet and lifts her off her feet. In this case, the reaction to the action is disproportionate. Nowhere in the film has Prince Septimus been shown to have this incredible strength. When this action occurs, it is very jarring, but it fits the tone of the film. Stardust is a fantastical film with flying ships and witches and magic. When this act occurs, it seems almost comical which fits in with the rest of the film. Stardust contains a specific tone and charm, so when it breaks the laws of physics like in this moment, it is not so strange although somewhat jarring.
