How far are you willing to suspend reality for a movie?

Question

One of the great things about movies is they can tell stories that don't or can't exist in the real world - especially in this new world of Computer Generated Imagery. But how much license are you willing to give a movie when it comes to how it relates to the real world? Does it have to get everything right or is it ok if the movie invents things or twists reality - even distorting things like science.

Personally I'm willing to accept anything as long as the movie plays within it's own rules. A perfect example being The Matrix; they do many things that defy logic and science, but it's fine since they set it up by telling us anything is possible inside the matrix.

Answer 1

I have to agree with you that I'm willing to suspend reality and my belief depending on the film...but that film better give me a darn good reason. Matrix is one thing, but when I see recent previews for gangster/ cop films were some guy is shown falling into a moonroof or launching totally through a car from the back window to front, I can only laugh. Same thing with foriegn movies. I'm willing to believe in whatever mysticism may be involved, but there's a limit. What's the purpose of the film? To tell a story or simply showcase outlandish stunts? I may be going out on a limb here, but I'm starting to wonder how many of these type films are aimed at the "anime" crowd.

Answer 2

But even if anything is possible even in the Matrix, they still have to stick by certain rules, like humans have to eat and sleep... they can't make it so alien or we'd never be able to relate to the characters in Zion.

I agree that no matter what else happens, the story's inner logic must work, or the whole thing is thrown off kilter.
An example of where this does not work (for me, at least)is "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". Given that it's a fantasy, one goes to see it expecting to suspend belief.
But somewhere in the first 20-30 minutes (I think it was during the shootout in the headquarters in London) that I just gave up.
I watched the whole movie, but it was tough because I really wanted to like it. In fact, I liked many parts of it. But it didn't play by it's own rules, and I got tired of having plot holes big enough to drive a Buick through time and again.

But that's true of any movie. And it isn't just sci-fi movies where you have to suspend disbelief.

I find that the hardest place to suspend disbelief in a movie is with its cast. It's tough to get past that a main character is played by, say, Tom Cruise, or most major stars. Its much easier with unknown actors in the roles. The story has to be really good to get past a famous person in the role.

Some movies turn this on their head, and the stars are the movie, i.e. Clooney et all in "Ocean's 11 or 13"; or "Notting Hill", where Julia Roberts plays herself, and that makes Hugh Grant believable as a bookstore owner. Well, it's still Hugh, but that's okay, too.

Answer 3

I can suspend reality because I like horror movies. There are no such things as vampires, zombies, killers that keep coming back from the dead. Yet I will go watch a movie that has these things in them because I like them.

Answer 4

It depends on the film.

I will even give up a lot if there is some good acting in it (Colleteral) but if it gets too ridiculous, it's tougher (Mercury Rising)