Buzz
Movies often stick to a predictable pattern, which isn't always a bad thing. It allows viewers to anticipate when a major event is about to happen or when a character’s life is in danger. However, many of these cinematic tropes could actually endanger you in real life. While it’s unlikely that you’ll face these situations, being aware of them could save you one day.
10. Jumping into a dumpster will cushion your fall
For fans of Assassin's Creed, jumping into a dumpster might seem like an easy way to survive a deadly fall, much like diving into a haystack from a great height. But in reality, missing your target (which is harder than it sounds) could still lead to injury, not to mention the impact of hitting a rigid surface. And if you somehow manage to survive, you'd still have to contend with the unpleasant surprises lurking in a dumpster, like used needles sticking out of your face.
9. You can hold your breath for an eternity
There are seasoned divers out there who might scoff at the scenes in movies where characters frantically swim through submerged rooms, thinking, 'Is that really all you can do?!' But for the average person, holding your breath underwater for more than a minute or two is nearly impossible. I tested myself and barely managed 45 seconds while sitting at my desk. It doesn’t say much about my health, but it definitely means most of us would be in trouble in an underwater emergency.
8. A single clip of ammo can last forever
This is a common trope, yet it's so overused that it deserves a spot on the list. Picture the scene: our protagonist decides to take on a room full of twenty-something enemies. He draws his pistol and fires continuously until every last one of them is down. The catch? He just fired a full 40 rounds from a single magazine, without reloading!
A standard civilian pistol typically holds between 8 to 10 rounds, while a military-grade model might carry up to 15. Even with an extended magazine, which our hero doesn't seem to have, the limit is usually around 30 rounds. Facing an entire army would certainly be a challenge with that in mind.
7. Discarding your gun may seem like a reasonable move.
Following up on the previous point: once the hero finishes with his weapon, he casually tosses it aside. Sure, picking up an enemy's weapon due to running out of ammo might make sense, but keeping your own gun is generally smarter. It’s cheaper and more practical to buy new ammo than replace the whole weapon. Plus, imagine the complications of having to register multiple guns. The excuse of 'I lost my gun while saving the world' won't hold forever.
6. Avoiding automatic gunfire is not as difficult as it seems.
Humans naturally generate an electromagnetic field around themselves, which should theoretically cause bullets to be deflected in most situations. However, I might be exaggerating – the first part is true, but definitely not the second. So, how is it that one individual (man or woman) manages to dodge a storm of automatic gunfire? It wouldn't make for an exciting film if the protagonist got hit within seconds of the opening scene. Still, there are moments when you find yourself thinking, 'Come on, at least take one shot, let me believe!'
The takeaway? In a real gunfight, you’re likely to be struck – early on. And you won’t have the luxury of sprinting toward the open doors of a waiting helicopter.
5. When confronted by a group of martial artists, they’ll engage you one at a time.
Martial artists are often driven by principles like honor and respect, but if your hero is enraged and out for vengeance, now is not the time to assume they'll play by the rules. At best, they might just dislocate your shoulder or break an arm; at worst, they could break your neck, toss you from a great height, or stab you. Instead of relying on their martial arts discipline, your best bet is to act fast and tackle the guy! It’s not pretty, it’s not clean, but the goal is to come out on top.
4. Cheap alcohol can easily ignite.
This could spark a long discussion on the chemistry of alcohol and the exact proofs needed for something to catch fire. But the real reason it’s included here is because of how movies depict it: one sip of Jack Daniels and a flick of a Zippo lighter, and suddenly you’re a human flamethrower! For the kind of instant combustion you see in most films, you’d need alcohol that’s far too potent for safe consumption – if it's flammable enough, it's probably also toxic. So, if this scene takes place in a bar, expect the clientele to look more like zombies than partygoers.
3. Flipping a table will not protect you from gunfire.
It’s a classic trope: during a gunfight, flip a table for cover and wait for your moment to shoot. Unfortunately, this won’t save you in real life – you need something much more solid for protection, or you should just get out of there. Even a wall won’t offer much safety – and if words don’t make that clear, the video above definitely will.
2. Explosions are more than just a blast of hot air.
Place explosives, turn, run, and jump! That’s all you need to know to survive any explosion... or maybe not. A hand grenade has a kill radius of about 5 meters (with an injury radius extending to 15 meters). In movies, buildings are often packed like piñatas, which would make the blast zone much larger – not to mention the deadly shrapnel flying in all directions.
The basic takeaway: if there's an explosion, you want something incredibly strong between you and the blast. Alternatively, get as far away as possible in the first place, and don’t try to outrun an explosion – especially if the bomb is attached to one of the things in the video above.
1. You can montage your way to becoming a killing machine.
This idea has been overdone, but leaving it out would be like ignoring the obvious. Becoming a true killing machine takes months, if not years, of intense training. In most movies, this is quickly summarized in a slick montage, often accompanied by a talented documentary filmmaker who can neatly condense the whole process into a brief, impactful four-minute segment once it’s turned into a film.
