Hollywood Science

There’s plenty of science in Hollywood’s science fiction and superhero films, but how much of it is real and how much is pure Hollywood? It can be hard to tell because even when these films start with a meaningful scientific premise, they often amp it up to enhance reality, improve dramatic impact or support stunning special effects. Examples of such hype include superhuman powers arising from favorable mutations, human clones used for spare body parts, and breakthroughs like intelligent robots, fusion power and faster than light space travel. But two simple ground rules can help define a good on-screen balance between real science and Hollywood science: I. every superhero or science fiction scenario is allowed one major willing suspension of disbelief for the sake of the story. II. even when the science is exaggerated or distorted, that’s not a tragedy but a chance to educate as well as entertain. I’ll illustrate the connections between real science and Hollywood science and demonstrate the ground rules with examples from my book Hollywood Science [1] and my blog postings [2], using stills and clips from a variety of old and new science fiction films.