15 Action Movie Over-Dramatizations That Made Viewers Say "Eh, It Doesn't Work Quite Like That, Nice Try Though"

We know about stunt doubles, and we understand that car wrecks and explosions are extremely over-dramatized. However, they are carefully calculated stunts, to say the least.

I'm sure at least one movie has come to mind; any of the Fast and the Furious movies are perfect examples. They've got it all.

Explosions, racing with nitro, drag racing, jumping off bridges, trains—the list goes on and on.

But sometimes movies take things a little too far, and they lose the standard that makes things legitimately plausible. This is all about the times when movies desperately tried to hit the nail on the head but pathetically missed.

And viewers caught on. This AskReddit thread tells all in just a few movies that are out there.

1. There's no way; it didn't exist yet.

“My dad was a pipe engineer for 35 years. Every time he watches The Titanic, when Jack is handcuffed to the pipe, he has to point out to everyone in the room how the curved elbow pipe in the shot didn’t exist at the time.The correct setup should have been two straight pieces soldered together to make a corner pipe. I love him and his obscure dad facts!”

Suspension of Disbelief

The phenomenon of suspension of disbelief in film can be traced to psychological principles of escapism and cognitive dissonance. Research shows that when viewers engage with fantastical elements, they often overlook unrealistic portrayals in favor of emotional engagement.

This process is particularly potent in action films, where heightened arousal can amplify enjoyment despite implausibility. According to Dr. Melanie Green of the University at Buffalo, this allows viewers to experience catharsis and thrill, creating a paradox where realism is sacrificed for emotional resonance.

2. "I am the keeper of knowledge; I am a scientist."

“People in movies being 'scientists' means they are good at all forms of science—biology, electrical engineering, physics, programming, communication protocols, advanced mathematics, hacking, robotics…Sure, you could have some knowledge in all of those fields, but specializing in just one of them takes decades… These characters are usually wizards in all fields.”

3. Yeah, there's no way.

“Avalanches, particularly when someone gets buried and then just bursts out of the snow unharmed. Avalanche debris sets like concrete; you’re not getting out without help. Most deaths and injuries occur from being bashed up during the slide, so you’re not likely to emerge unscathed if it’s big enough to bury you.”

4. Guns don't work like that, bro.

“Pumping the shotgun every time you mean business? You’re just ejecting fresh shells onto the floor.”

5. Your skin is about to be torn up!

“Rolling out of a speeding car? Nah, man, you’re about to look like you made out with a cheese grater.”

6. It doesn't quite happen like that, y'all.

“As a cop, I’ve dealt with many stabbing victims. People don’t just drop like sacks of potatoes when they are stabbed or have their throat slit. I once had to respond to an incident where two guys got into a knife fight. I ended up having to help keep pressure on wounds as we waited for paramedics, and he pulled through.His neck was wide open, and he had 23 punctures in his abdomen and arms, but he was still energetic and down to fight. When it comes to gunshots, you’re not going to instantly drop unless something vital is hit (heart, brain, etc.). It makes me laugh a little when watching movies and bad guys drop dead when they are shot or cut in any way by the good guys.”

7. DNA, if ever, matches perfectly.

“Pretty much any scene that involves biologists. 'Look, the DNA is a perfect match!' as the computer superimposes two identical graphics that are basically just the symbol for DNA 🧬.”

8. If you know, then you know. #motherhood

“90% of the depictions of women going into labor. It’s rarely 'Mom feels fine all day > suddenly has one sharp contraction > water immediately breaks and makes a puddle on the floor.' Everyone I know who’s given birth has had at least a few hours of contractions before the water breaking, if it breaks at all, and then it can be even longer before you’re in active labor.”

9. Set, scene, ACTION.

“Our hero is beaten, stabbed, and shot. In the next scene, he wakes up bandaged in the hospital. Within seconds, he yanks out all the tubes and wires, jumps out of bed, finds his—suddenly clean—clothes, and rushes out to continue his quest.In the following scene, he’s full of energy as he pursues his foe, and while his face may have a single scratch or bandaged cut—usually above one eye—there’s no sign of what would ordinarily be a yellow-purple swollen pulpy mess with blood-red eyes.”

10. How exactly does this happen?

“In Interstellar, when they have combines running through a field of green corn. They spent a ton of time getting little details of astrophysics right, then fell flat on their face in the depiction of farming.”

11. Babies are NOT born squeaky clean, LOL.

“When a baby is born, it’s a beautiful, squeaky clean 3-6 month old, twice the size of a newborn. They are tiny, goo-covered, swollen purple aliens in real life.”

12. How many times has that worked in the real world?

“Frantically shouting 'TAXI!!!' while hailing a cab.”

13. No one has timing that perfect.

“It always takes me out of the movie when someone says, 'You’ll never believe what’s on the news. Put it on.' Their TV is off, they turn the TV on, and it’s on the EXACT station of said news crew, at the EXACT moment they’re talking about the topic.That’s not how it works. And it could be anything, not just news. They turn on the TV, and it just so happens to be on what they’re looking for. Just a small aspect of television and movies that takes me out of it, and I’m always like, 'That’s not how this works.' Lol.”

14. If you have a background in guns or ammo, some movies are just straight trash for you.

“Most explosions. I was in ammo, and it ruined most movies for me. They’re still fantastic movies, and I love them all, but when a building explodes, you’re not going to walk out casually, barely beating the flames, and those thousands of pieces of wood aren’t all going to magically not impale you as they’re hurled all around you with incredible force.”

15. Real military vs. the civilian stand-ins.

“The way people in the military talk in movies just kills me. I don’t care so much about getting some details wrong, and these days the advisers seem to do pretty well with keeping it realistic enough to pass. But no military adviser can help bad dialogue.I’ll put it this way: actors are so bad at being convincing military members that R. Lee Ermey famously did the role himself in Full Metal Jacket after being initially hired only as an advisor.Specifically, it’s all of the stupid things writers think we say to each other. No one will EVER ask, 'Permission to speak freely.' They just speak. We don’t salute constantly; it’s used as a greeting—not something we do as we leave to carry out orders. We are NOT that formal. It gets ridiculous watching these actors talk like robots and overuse jargon.Like, I’m not using brevity code words in normal conversation (unless I’m being a smartass). Military people just talk normally. Formality is pretty much limited to ceremonies, when you’re in trouble, or if you are addressing people way senior to you in some kind of formal setting. Even then, plain speech is more common than over-the-top 'Sir Sandwiches' and out-of-place jargon.”

Understanding Action Movie Tropes

Action movies often exaggerate real-life scenarios to create dramatic tension and excitement. Psychologically, this can lead to a disconnect between audience expectations and reality, as viewers might start believing that such extreme events are typical. Research in media psychology shows that repeated exposure to sensationalized portrayals can distort perceptions of risk and reality.

This phenomenon, known as the 'mean world syndrome,' suggests that heavy consumers of violent media may perceive the world as more dangerous than it actually is, leading to heightened anxiety and fearfulness.

Moreover, these dramatizations can reflect broader societal values and fears. For instance, action films often emphasize individual heroism, which can resonate with cultural narratives around self-reliance and strength. However, this focus can overshadow the importance of collaboration and community in problem-solving, leading to unrealistic expectations about conflict resolution in real life.

By critically analyzing these tropes, viewers can gain a better understanding of the psychological impact of media on their beliefs and behaviors.

Encouraging Critical Media Consumption

To counteract the unrealistic portrayals in action films, media literacy education can play a crucial role. Experts recommend teaching audiences to critically analyze media messages, recognizing exaggerations and understanding their implications. Workshops and discussions can help individuals discern between cinematic fiction and real-life situations, fostering a more grounded perspective on conflict and resolution.

Research indicates that media literacy can enhance critical thinking skills and reduce susceptibility to media influence, empowering individuals to navigate their media consumption more effectively.

Psychological Analysis

The over-dramatization we see in action films often reflects a deeper psychological need for excitement and heroism. This can create unrealistic expectations about how conflicts are resolved in the real world, leading to frustration when reality doesn't match those narratives.

From a psychological perspective, encouraging audiences to engage critically with media can help bridge the gap between fiction and reality, promoting healthier expectations and responses in their own lives.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Overall, the exaggeration found in action movies serves both entertainment and psychological functions. By recognizing these patterns, viewers can cultivate a healthier relationship with media and its impact on their perceptions of reality.

Ultimately, fostering critical media consumption skills is essential for understanding the distinction between cinematic dramatization and real-life experiences.

The exaggerated portrayals in action films can influence audience perceptions of risk and safety. Studies indicate that frequent exposure to unrealistic violence can lead to desensitization, where viewers become less sensitive to real-world dangers.

Dr. Brad Bushman, a professor at Ohio State University, highlights the potential for increased aggression in viewers who regularly consume violent media. To counteract these effects, experts recommend fostering media literacy in audiences, encouraging critical analysis of film portrayals and their implications for real-life behaviors.

In summary, while action films offer thrilling escapism, their unrealistic elements can have lasting effects on viewers' perceptions and behaviors. Research emphasizes the importance of media literacy, enabling audiences to critically engage with content and understand its influence.

Therapists and educators can play a vital role by promoting discussions around media consumption, aiming to foster healthier relationships with violent portrayals. Ultimately, cultivating a critical mindset can help viewers enjoy action films while maintaining awareness of their potential psychological impacts.