When Deus Ex Machina is a good thing (potential spoilers)
Oct 3, 2023 17:40:26 GMT -6
Post by saintofm on Oct 3, 2023 17:40:26 GMT -6
Because this covers parts of stories where a major issue (like saving the day) happens in key moments, Expect spoilers for the following films:
Jurassic Park
Saving Privat Ryan
Dodgeball: An Underdog Story
For those that don't know, A Deus Ex Machina (will Say Deus Ex for short) is a Latin term for a common practice in Greek plays. The Greeks tend to let their plots get so convoluted, a literal God, usually in the form of a statue, has to come down and fix things via being lowered by a lever.
Since then, its when a conflict is solves by something that comes out of nowhere. This is usually a bad thing as it breaks internal logic and takes agency away from the characters. There is no pay off.
Han Solo coming back to shoot down Tie Fighters at the End of Star Wars and allow Luke to destroy the Death Star does not count as it finishes off Han's story ark. Same Thing when Darth Vader kills Palpatine to save Luke; he is saving his child, and say what you will about him, Vader is not about to let his own kid die in front of him.
This said, there are times when its done right. It like a good shave or haircut: Done right and its awesome. Done Wrong and we need to hand you a paper bag to cover that mess up.
So what are some good examples of this and how can we try to work them in?
Jurassic Park the Movie: The Scene where Rexy comes in and attacks the raptors as they have out heroes at the end of their rope. The alternative ending was to have Hammon show up with a shotgun and save the day, which would have completed his character ark in a satisfying way. However the filmmakers felt there wasn't enough T-Rex in the movie, and they were not wrong. So they brought her in for a moment of awesome. This isn't even the first time it snuck up on something, with the flock of Dinoes it comes out of the Tree for, and even elements of the Jeep Chase. How it got thought he doors is another story. That said, the fun factor rules out logic here.
Saving Private Ryan: In the end of the film, the Nazi forces have the heroes surrounded. A number of our favorite characters are killed, and Tom Hanks, dying from his wounds, uses the last bit of life he has to defiantly shoot his pistol at a tank. Then it explodes as Ally plains drop a bomb on it. Allied forces join the fray an save the day. While this comes out of nowhere, its believable enough that it makes sense. Part of the problems with a Deus Ex is that it breaks the illation for many a viewer.
Dodgeball: An Underdog Story: The original ending was to have the story end with the Average Joes loosing. The Studio didn't like that so they changed the ending. Even through they lost the bet between the competitors and thus looking their gym; he did bet on his team, and so got a ton of money (in a chest dub Deus Ex Machina). The fun part of this is its a take that to the studio. They didn't want to do this, they had to do this, and they made anyone that was paying attention aware of it. THe fun factor wins out. Also, comedy that dosn't take itself seriously. Might as well have some more fun at its expence.
WHat are your takes on this my fellow writers?
Jurassic Park
Saving Privat Ryan
Dodgeball: An Underdog Story
For those that don't know, A Deus Ex Machina (will Say Deus Ex for short) is a Latin term for a common practice in Greek plays. The Greeks tend to let their plots get so convoluted, a literal God, usually in the form of a statue, has to come down and fix things via being lowered by a lever.
Since then, its when a conflict is solves by something that comes out of nowhere. This is usually a bad thing as it breaks internal logic and takes agency away from the characters. There is no pay off.
Han Solo coming back to shoot down Tie Fighters at the End of Star Wars and allow Luke to destroy the Death Star does not count as it finishes off Han's story ark. Same Thing when Darth Vader kills Palpatine to save Luke; he is saving his child, and say what you will about him, Vader is not about to let his own kid die in front of him.
This said, there are times when its done right. It like a good shave or haircut: Done right and its awesome. Done Wrong and we need to hand you a paper bag to cover that mess up.
So what are some good examples of this and how can we try to work them in?
Jurassic Park the Movie: The Scene where Rexy comes in and attacks the raptors as they have out heroes at the end of their rope. The alternative ending was to have Hammon show up with a shotgun and save the day, which would have completed his character ark in a satisfying way. However the filmmakers felt there wasn't enough T-Rex in the movie, and they were not wrong. So they brought her in for a moment of awesome. This isn't even the first time it snuck up on something, with the flock of Dinoes it comes out of the Tree for, and even elements of the Jeep Chase. How it got thought he doors is another story. That said, the fun factor rules out logic here.
Saving Private Ryan: In the end of the film, the Nazi forces have the heroes surrounded. A number of our favorite characters are killed, and Tom Hanks, dying from his wounds, uses the last bit of life he has to defiantly shoot his pistol at a tank. Then it explodes as Ally plains drop a bomb on it. Allied forces join the fray an save the day. While this comes out of nowhere, its believable enough that it makes sense. Part of the problems with a Deus Ex is that it breaks the illation for many a viewer.
Dodgeball: An Underdog Story: The original ending was to have the story end with the Average Joes loosing. The Studio didn't like that so they changed the ending. Even through they lost the bet between the competitors and thus looking their gym; he did bet on his team, and so got a ton of money (in a chest dub Deus Ex Machina). The fun part of this is its a take that to the studio. They didn't want to do this, they had to do this, and they made anyone that was paying attention aware of it. THe fun factor wins out. Also, comedy that dosn't take itself seriously. Might as well have some more fun at its expence.
WHat are your takes on this my fellow writers?
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