Why must reality go out the window in movies unnecessarily?

[Frostmeister]

I know 'it's just a movie', but c'mon.
Was watching Iron man the other day to prep for Iron Man 3. Iron man falls from thousands of feet, the antagonist too, and every one walks away? Stark gets splattered to a wall, and nothing. Also he struggles to reach his original fake heart and can barely lift it, then when he gets it, he smashes the case with all his strength.
Also watched die Hard 4 the other day. is John McClain a Super hero now. How do you get the crap beat out of you and come back full strength?
Is it really necessary to have scenes like this? I know you have to suspend reality sometimes, but when it is that blatant, it really takes away from the movie. Just seems unnecessary to me

Your thoughts?

[RandyK]

IMO, reality is mostly boring.

[Tony208]

cause movies by definition are fake

[Abdrewes]

It takes a hell of a visual stylist for me to become absorbed in the unreal. YOU HAVE TO SET UP THE PHYSICAL STAKES or else I tune out. That's why most of my favorite films aren't action/blockbuster films.

[psychomugs]

Pretty much asking why fake things aren't real

Stark could smash the glass case because gravity helps his arm to fall. NOt much contention there

[BluBonnet]

The only problem is that 99% of moviegoers seem to be fine with it, otherwise the studios wouldn't be doing totally escapist fare.

Look at the bright side - there are lots of interesting documentaries out there!

[cinemaphile]

because reality is boring. Yes, there can be realistic, grounded movies. But when youre talking superhero flicks and balls-out adrenaline action flicks, keeping everything purely grounded in reality would really make it a boring movie.

it's called suspension of disbelief - the cornerstone of motion pictures.

[vader4]

Summer Blockbusters are escapism. The reason why they are unrealistic is because if in Iron Man instead of creating a suit Tony died of his injuries and being worked to death we all would've left the theater sad and wondering why the film was only 20 minutes long. All jokes aside I prefer realistic movies in most cases because it allows me to really connect with the characters and the story; a lack of realism will always create a disconnect. I have mostly realistic movies on my top 10 list, but I have my 3 fanboy favorites as well (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Back to the Future). In conclusion I would suggest that you appreciate each movie for it's own reality, if you find you don't like a lack of "reality" you may want to steer clear of the theater this Summer.

[Doomnaut]

For me reality in movies has more of an impact, especially violence. Reality is not boring unless your a child.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

because reality is boring. Yes, there can be realistic, grounded movies. But when youre talking superhero flicks and balls-out adrenaline action flicks, keeping everything purely grounded in reality would really make it a boring movie.

it's called suspension of disbelief - the cornerstone of motion pictures.

Superhero flicks and summer blockbusters are what they are and discussion on their 'reality-factor' is pretty pointless. But if you're talking about movies in general and feel that 'reality is boring' than you're watching the wrong movies. By your avatar you are obviously a fan of "Vikings", as am I. That's a series that is firmly grounded in the possible, with some historical underpinnings and a realistic description of consequences, including physical scarring or impairment following injury. I'm assuming that you don't find "Vikings" 'boring'?

As you point out suspension of disbelief is critical in terms of more main-stream cinema and where it is broken it establishes a fault-line for the rest of the film. Quick examples? Any resorting to bad CGI (which fatally crippled "The Hobbit") and Bond's preposterous 700-foot fall from the train (which fortunately "Skyfall" was able to overcome through sheer exuberance and a wealth of compensating material).

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by Doomnaut

For me reality in movies has more of an impact, especially violence. Reality is not boring unless your a child.

Ok, sometimes less is better!

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

The only problem is that 99% of moviegoers seem to be fine with it, otherwise the studios wouldn't be doing totally escapist fare.

Look at the bright side - there are lots of interesting documentaries out there!

Quote for truth... and humour... because it is SO true tha it's funny!

[Blu Ian]

When I watch a movie I wanna escape reality.

Mostly because my life is so ****ed up and boring.

I don't care if Bruce Willis jumps from the moon down to earth without a scratch on him.

I don't care if a car blows up after one bullet.

I don't care if the movie has one liners.

I just wanna sit the **** down and watch a damn movie.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Superhero flicks and summer blockbusters are what they are and discussion on their 'reality-factor' is pretty pointless. But if you're talking about movies in general and feel that 'reality is boring' than you're watching the wrong movies. By your avatar you are obviously a fan of "Vikings", as am I. That's a series that is firmly grounded in the possible, with some historical underpinnings and a realistic description of consequences, including physical scarring or impairment following injury. I'm assuming that you don't find "Vikings" 'boring'?

I was referring to within the context of movies like super hero flicks. To ground those in too much reality takes away from the excitement and fantasy.
I thought I clarified that with the rest of my post, but I apologize if I was not clear.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Randyman94

IMO, reality is mostly boring.

Agreed.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I was referring to within the context of movies like super hero flicks. To ground those in too much reality takes away from the excitement and fantasy.
I thought I clarified that with the rest of my post, but I apologize if I was not clear.

No apology necessary! I was kind of leap-frogging my points onto yours...my bad!

[Kaiju]

What everyone else said.

Reality is boring, movies are an escape from said reality. If every movie was 100% realistic, that would be... well, dull.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Scruffy Nerf Herder

What everyone else said.

Reality is boring, movies are an escape from said reality. If every movie was 100% realistic, that would be... well, dull.

Saving Private Ryan - Pvt.Jackson - YouTube

[PopcornBandit]

Originally Posted by Randyman94

IMO, reality is mostly boring.

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

because reality is boring. Yes, there can be realistic, grounded movies. But when youre talking superhero flicks and balls-out adrenaline action flicks, keeping everything purely grounded in reality would really make it a boring movie.

it's called suspension of disbelief - the cornerstone of motion pictures.

Originally Posted by Scruffy Nerf Herder

What everyone else said.

Reality is boring, movies are an escape from said reality. If every movie was 100% realistic, that would be... well, dull.

All of these. Though I do enjoy my fair share of "real" movies.

[stvn1974]

A man dressed up like a giant bat fighting crime or Uma Thurman taking out 88 people with a sword are still more grounded in reality than the women Woody Allen gets in his films.