10 Science Fiction Movies That are More Fiction Than Science
Welcome to the wild world of science fiction, where anything is possible... or is it? While we all love immersing ourselves in fantastical stories and mind-bending concepts, sometimes the science (or lack thereof) behind certain sci-fi movies can leave us scratching our heads. From genetically engineered dinosaurs to skyscraper-sized apes, these ten examples of implausible sci-fi technologies will have you rethinking the laws of physics.
As much as we enjoy suspending our disbelief for a few hours, it's worth taking a closer look at some of the most iconic movie technologies that just don't add up. We've compiled a list of ten examples that defy logic, contradict established scientific principles, or simply leave us wondering how on Earth (or any other planet) they could possibly work. So, grab your popcorn and let's dive into the peculiar realm of the scientifically impossible:
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1
Ant-Man - Size and Mass
In the Marvel Universe, Ant-Man is equipped with Pym Particles, which allow him to shrink while retaining his original mass. This means that his strength remains the same even when he's tiny. However, the film also shows Ant-Man picking up a shrunken tank as if its mass has decreased. This inconsistency contradicts the rules established by the film itself, as the tank should still be as heavy as it was before it was shrunk, making it impossible for Ant-Man to lift it with ease.
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2
Jurassic Park - DNA Preservation
In the classic sci-fi film, scientists extract dinosaur DNA from blood-sucking mosquitoes preserved in amber. However, DNA has a half-life of about 521 years, meaning that it degrades over time. By the time the dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago, their DNA would have been long gone. Thus, the idea of extracting dinosaur DNA and recreating the creatures is scientifically impossible.
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3
The Matrix - Humans as Batteries
The Matrix posits that machines use humans as an energy source, keeping them alive in pods while harvesting their body heat and electrical activity. However, this idea defies the laws of thermodynamics, as the energy required to maintain human life would be greater than the energy that could be harvested. In other words, it would be a net loss for the machines.
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4
Armageddon - Drilling on an Asteroid
The film's plot revolves around drilling a hole into an asteroid and planting a nuclear bomb to split it in half, preventing it from hitting Earth. However, the physics behind this plan doesn't make sense. Blowing up an asteroid would likely cause the pieces to be drawn back together due to their own gravity, reforming the asteroid and rendering the mission pointless.
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5
The Day After Tomorrow - Instant Freeze
This disaster movie portrays a sudden global cooling event that instantly freezes entire cities. However, this contradicts the laws of thermodynamics and the way heat is transferred in the atmosphere. It's impossible for such a rapid temperature drop to occur and instantly freeze everything in its path.
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6
Gravity - Orbital Mechanics
In this space thriller, characters move between different spacecraft in low Earth orbit with relative ease. However, in reality, changing orbits requires significant energy and precise calculations, making such maneuvers extremely difficult and time-consuming. The film simplifies these complex orbital mechanics for dramatic effect.
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7
Independence Day - Computer Virus
The climax of this alien invasion film involves a human-created computer virus infecting and disabling the alien spacecraft's systems. However, given the vast differences in technology and programming languages between humans and extraterrestrials, the idea of a human virus being compatible with alien systems is absolutely ridiculous.
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8
Waterworld - Global Flooding
The film's concept of a world entirely covered in water is implausible, as there is not enough water on Earth to submerge all the continents, even if all the ice caps were to melt. This scenario contradicts our understanding of Earth's water distribution and geology.
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9
Back to the Future Part II - Timeline Paradox
After Biff steals the DeLorean and gives his younger self the sports almanac, he goes back to the future to put the DeLorean back where he took it. However, that future should have already been altered and replaced with the future where Biff is rich and Hill Valley is in ruins. The movie's handling of this situation contradicts the rules it establishes for time travel.
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10
King Kong - Size Limitations
King Kong is portrayed as an enormous creature, but in reality, no animal could reach such a size due to the limitations of muscle strength and bone structure. The square-cube law explains that as an object (or creature) grows, its volume increases much faster than its surface area, leading to structural and physiological challenges. This fundamental flaw in King Kong's biology contradicts the known laws of nature and physiology.
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