Science Fact or Cinematic Fiction

When people think of movies that have broken laws of physics, they typically think of animated films. However, broken physics can also be found in live action films as well. It is very common for films, live-action and animated, to establish their own laws of physics in order to establish their own worlds. Some films intentionally create their own physics for both entertainment value and clarity. In this paper, I will be talking specifically about films that break Newton’s third law of physics. This law states that, “for every force, there is a reaction force that is equal in size, but opposite in direction.” The films that I will be examining in my paper are Megamind, The Matrix, and Captain America: Winter Soldier.

Megamind is a 2010 animated film from DreamWorks directed by Tom McGrath. Megamind is about the eternal battle between a superhero named Metro Man and a supervillan named Megamind. Metro Man is an “alien” who is sent to Earth by his parents and with his superstrength, superspeed, and superflight, keeps Metro City safe from Megamind. However, one fateful day, Megamind is finally able to destroy Metro Man and takes over Metro City. Soon, Megamind realizes that his villany does not make him happy anymore without a nemesis, so he creates one and it ends up spiraling out of control.

Even though Megamind is set in a superhero type world, it should still somewhat adhere to the laws of physics. Near the end of the film, Megamind finds out that Metro Man is actually still alive. So, he and Roxanne try to convince Metro Man to help him defeat his newly created nemesis. 

In this scene, Roxanne expresses his anger at Metro Man for faking his death by throwing several items at him including a large speaker and guitar. Surprisingly, even though these heavy items are being pelted at him, Metro Man does not move at all. This breaks Newton’s third law because there appears to be no reaction force happening to the force of the objects hitting Metro Man.

The second movie that breaks Newton’s third law of physics is The Matrix. The Matrix is a 1999 live-action film directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski. The film is set in a dystopian future where the reality perceived by most humans is actually a simulation created by machines. Humans are actually kept plugged into the simulator while their physical body is kept in tube for their body heat and electrical activity. The film’s hero is Neo, a computer programmer, who learns the truth and joins the rebellion in taking down the machines. Even though Neo is now awake in the “real” world, he returns to the simulated world to complete missions for the rebellion.
 
Neo’s main nemesis in the movie is Agent Smith, who he constantly fights throughout the film. In this scene, Neo is in a fist fight with Smith in the subway. Throughout the scene, the physics are actually pretty believable, but the part of the scene I will be talking about takes place around the 1:04 mark.

In this shot, you can see Agent Smith punch Neo. In fact, he punches Neo so in the chest so hard that he flies around 25 feet away. However, If you look closely, Agent Smith does not look like he put in the proper force for that reaction force. For that kind of reaction to happen, Agent Smith’s punch would have to have equal force applied. Agent Smith would have to put in a lot more effort than what was shown in the shot. Therefore, this punch defies Newton’s third law of physics. However, I believe that this wrong portrayal of the law was done intentionally in order to up the stakes and create a more climactic scene.

The next movie that I will be discussing is Captain America: Winter Soldier. This live action film was released by Marvel in 2014 and was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The film takes place in a world that is very similar to ours but features humans with super abilities. The film stars Steve Rodgers in his second movie as Captain America. In Winter Soldier, the main storyline features around Steve and his once-thought-dead friend, Bucky Barnes, who turns out to be the Winter Soldier. Both Steve and Bucky are genetically mutated humans and in this film, they both posses super hero like qualities. Using his abilities, Captain America battles the Winter Soldier and a terrorist group, Hydra, from taking over the world and killing millions.

In the beginning of the film, Steve is chasing the Winter Soldier when he finally catches up to him. At this point of the story, Steve does not know that Bucky is the Winter Soldier so he hurls his shield at him. The Winter soldier catches the shield with no recoil. This action clearly breaks Newton’s third law. This can be further proved by the fact that when the Winter Soldier throws the shield back at Steve, there is a reaction force. This scene both broke and followed Newton’s third law. If the film wanted to stay consistent, then the Winter Soldier would show recoil. However, by him not having a recoil, the director established that the Winter Soldier might actually be stronger that Steve.
As you can see, exaggerated or broken physics are not only in animated films, but in live action films as well. Directors typically break physics as a way to exaggerate actions. This is particularly popular in action films there needs some time for the audience to comprehend each action. Also, when characters break certain laws of physics, it gives them a sense of being a special being. Breaking physics is also a way for a director to establish their own rules of the worlds they create. I believe that the broken physics are done intentionally rather than in ignorance for the sake of creating impact. The physics are not necessarily real, but it’s believable in each individual film.

Outline for the Second Term Paper

      I.         Introduction

a.     Common for films to break the laws of physics in order to establish their own rules of their world.

b.     In this paper, I will be talking about films the specifically break Newton’s third Law

                                               i.     This means that for every force there is a reaction force that is equal in size, but opposite in direction.

c.      Film examples: Megamind, Matrix, Winter Soldier

    II.         Megamind

a.     DreamWorks (2010)

b.     Directed by Tom McGrath

c.      Film Description: Setting the superhero world

d.     Example of where it breaks Newton’s 3^rd Law

                                               i.     When MetroMan gets things thrown at him and but he doesn’t move at all.

  III.         Matrix

a.     1999

b.     Directors: Andy and Lana Wachowski,

c.      Film Despcription: Setting up the world

d.     Example:

                                               i.     Subway fight scene

                                              ii.     The recoils of the punches/kicks don’t match with the energy.

   IV.         Winter Soldier

a.     Marvel (2014)

b.     Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo

c.      Film Description: setting up Superhero world

d.     Example:

                                               i.     Captain America throws his shield at the Winter Soldier. When Bucky catches it there is no recoil. However when Bucky throws it back, there is recoil on Steve.

     V.         Conclusion

a.     Breaking physics is a way to exaggerate actions, especially for action films

b.     It’s a way for a director to establish their own rules

                                               i.     Not necessarily real, but it’s believable

Reverse Video Reference

Clip A:

Clip B:

Clip C:

Clip D:

Stop Motion Animation of Falling

To create my animation, I used the straight ahead method. So, that meant that I had to do some pre-planning. I  thought about the spacing I needed to create a believable fall and created small markers on the floor nearby for reference. I would also check my frames on my camera now and then to double check my spacing and timing. Most importantly, I kept in mind a small story that I could tell in this short animation and came up with a transformer chasing a balloon.

Here was my workstation:

Also, here is a bonus cut:

Why? Because no Transformer movie is complete without explosions. 

In honor of Youri Dekker