# Things That Bother Me in Science Fiction Movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [October 24, 2023, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001 "2023-10-24T08:55:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/81 "2023-10-26T12:39:00Z")
> [@EnolaStraight](#): > > Some extra-terrestrial species…like Asgardians and Kryptonians…appear superficially human. > > Others, like the Centauri, could pass for human if you overlook the hairdo and…_attributes_ “You _look_ human!” “NO, **you** _look_ Timelord: _we_ were _first_” > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > If you were watching it for special effects you were left wanting. Oh, but watching OldWho or Trek TOS gives us much enjoyment looking at things and saying _“what a budget! What. A. Budget!!!”_ Especially OldWho. Here’s a five bob note and whatever’s in the BBC backlot awaiting being taken out as rubbish. Come up with an alien civilization. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/82 "2023-10-26T13:10:41Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > yep, batman, Bond, James Bond … **and the guy from MI** … they all jump into any helicopter and 8 seconds later they fly them like a pro … (Bolding mine) Heh, for a couple seconds I was thinking “who is this heroic badass from _ **Michigan** _ to whom AI128 refers?”. Then I realized you meant Mission Impossible 😏 > [@Mr.E](#): > > My favorite thing about PADDs in TNG is how they’re depicted as being one PADD per document. If you need the Captain to see something, you hand him a PADD. If he needs 3 documents, it’s 3 PADDs. You don’t e-mail it to his personal PADD because the idea of personal computing barely existed when TNG aired, much less personal mobile devices. A post of its own could be made about past sci-fi shows and movies set in the ‘future’ that get the technology wrong; or get it almost, but not quite right, as in this example. A couple years ago I was rewatching a well-regarded sci-fi movie from the 80s (Bladerunner?) which was set in my present day, or maybe still a bit more in the future. In one scene, the protagonist had to make a phone call, so he just used one of the ubiquitous public phone kiosks. I thought that was a little amusing. The movie makers did this amazing feat of futuristic world-building, but didn’t imagine that everybody would have personal phones by then. It _ **was** _ a video phone, though-- next to flying cars, probably the most commonly imagined futuristic object from my childhood. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/83 "2023-10-26T14:47:31Z")
> [@solost](#): > > A couple years ago I was rewatching a well-regarded sci-fi movie from the 80s (Bladerunner?) which was set in my present day, or maybe still a bit more in the future. In one scene, the protagonist had to make a phone call, so he just used one of the ubiquitous public phone kiosks. I thought that was a little amusing. The movie makers did this amazing feat of futuristic world-building, but didn’t imagine that everybody would have personal phones by then. It _ **was** _ a video phone, though-- next to flying cars, probably the most commonly imagined futuristic object from my childhood. I might have told this story in another thread a couple of years ago but anyway…I interviewed Wim Wenders over email in 2004. One of my fave films of his is _Until The End Of The World_, which was filmed in 1990 or so and set in 1999/2000. He consulted with a bunch of futurists on the script throughout the 80s, and while there’s a rudimentary, cartoonish “search” program portrayed onscreen, anything approaching “the internet” as we knew it by 1999, hell, _1995_, was totally absent. When I mentioned this, and how it was a bit jarring watching it after the fact, he said (paraphrasing) he and his consultants had been admittedly caught off guard and he was embarrassed that they’d missed something so huge coming down the pike. On the other hand, he worked closely with NHK on the dream sequences (the McGuffin in the film is a machine that can record and play back memories and, later, dreams) and the work they did pushed HD technology in general substantially forward. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/84 "2023-10-26T16:47:19Z")
Has there ever been a science fiction movie set in the future in which all doors don’t slide open automatically, like elevator doors? Not spaceship doors, those are usually round and open like camera shutters. It bothers me in that it makes me want those kinds of doors for my apartment. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/85 "2023-10-26T16:57:51Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Crew members were always turning in reports or otherwise distributing information by waking into the room and physically handing a PADD to another officer. That’s just the lingering effects of The Email Wars of the late 2200s. Every email had the risk of a massive virus taking over everything, so they decided to isolate every message on physically separated systems, and completely wipe them when done with the message. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/86 "2023-10-26T17:04:45Z")
There’s at least one ordinary door in the 2009 Star Trek, when Kirk and Spock Prime meet Scotty. [Scene here](https://www.google.com/search?q=star+trek+2009+kirk+meets+scotty&sca_esv=576846173&sxsrf=AM9HkKl-H_ADUALbZPMlirzmFKzhV2kSjw%3A1698339645036&ei=PZs6Ze0WzayIsw_LuK7YBg&oq=kirk+meets+spock+prime&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiFmtpcmsgbWVldHMgc3BvY2sgcHJpbWUqAggAMgQQABhHMgQQABhHMgQQABhHMgQQABhHMgQQABhHMgQQABhHMgQQABhHMgQQABhHSJcSUABYAHAAeAKQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQHIAQDiAwQYACBBiAYBkAYI&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:4d90326e,vid:ZmLhZjjObAo,st:0) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/87 "2023-10-26T17:19:29Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Has there ever been a science fiction movie set in the future in which all doors don’t slide open automatically, like elevator doors? \I’m pretty sure I’ve seen several movies set in the future where they don’t have “Starship Enterprise” doors. **Zardoz** , for instance, is set in a low-tech (for the most part) 2293, and they use a lot of ordinary doors. So does the 1936 movie **Things to Come** , if I’m not mistaken, even in the parts set in 2036. A couple of months ago I visited a science fiction/comic book store that had a sensor attached to the entrance that made the “Whoosh” sound of a Star Trek door opening any time anyone entered. [https://www.amazon.com/ThinkGeek-Star-Trek-Electronic-Chime/dp/B007QSYPE6](https://www.amazon.com/ThinkGeek-Star-Trek-Electronic-Chime/dp/B007QSYPE6) ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/88 "2023-10-26T17:21:03Z")
> [@Guapo](#): > > I can put up with artificial gravity and suspend disbelief for FTL travel, but some things in science fiction movies make them almost unwatchable for me: > > - The prevalence of planets with breathable atmospheres How many times in the original _Star Trek_ would it have made zero difference to the plot if they’d shown the landing party having to wear breathing masks? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/89 "2023-10-26T17:43:43Z")
Shatner never would have stood for it. You….can’t…emote…through a mask. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/90 "2023-10-26T17:47:17Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > In some old thread I brought up the problem with weapons in the future. Despite the incredible advancements in technology nobody ever figures out how to make one hit what they’re aiming at I blame it on the nifty looking ray gun designs that disdain such mundane features as sights. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/91 "2023-10-26T17:55:12Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > So this is why (apparently in opposition to most the Internet;) ) I like the Serenity film but not the Firefly series. The film does feel it’s set in a unique universe someone has come up with whereas the series is just “hey let’s move the late 1800s American Wild West to outer space” Specifically it’s “The Outlaw Jose Wales” in outer space: noble hero was on the losing side of a civil war/bid for independence. Now he gets by as best he can living on the fringe and avoiding the forces of authority. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/92 "2023-10-26T18:26:50Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Shatner never would have stood for it. You….can’t…emote…through a mask. But you can through the Dollar Store Spacesuits they used in, for example _The Tholian Web_ > **[Star Trek: The Tholian Web](https://www.douxreviews.com/2012/02/star-trek-tholian-web.html)** > > Billie Doux and Ben P. Duck review 'The Tholian Web', an episode of the classic TV series 'Star Trek'. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/93 "2023-10-26T19:41:50Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I blame it on the nifty looking ray gun designs that disdain such mundane features as sights. I never cared about the lack of sights. The lack of trigger guards, however, bothered me a lot. Star Trek phasers were as hazardous to their users as the Star Wars bridges with no guardrails. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/94 "2023-10-26T20:04:33Z")
Butt-dialing a phaser could get messy. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/95 "2023-10-26T20:12:15Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > It helps a lot that in comic book universes, there’s one field called “science” that covers everything from astrophysics to genetic engineering. Saves a lot of time, since you only have to study for the one degree. I watched a B-movie once where the lead character had a Ph.D in Advanced Sciences. It was about a prehistoric snake in an Antarctic prison. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/96 "2023-10-26T23:06:55Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > It was about a prehistoric snake in an Antarctic prison. What was he in for? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/97 "2023-10-26T23:21:37Z")
Mail fraud. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/98 "2023-10-26T23:27:41Z")
Since superheroes were mentioned, I’ll add my favorite thing that bothers me: Spider-man’s webbing. It just doesn’t work, and can’t be made to work. How could he extrude it out at such pressure that it could travel a city block? And how does a gossamer thin line, presumably almost weightless, fly through turbulent cityscape air to stick to his target, which would probably be grimy? Also, S-M’s wall climbing ability. It can’t be the hairs on his fingertips if he wears gloves. His feet also stick to walls through his boots. These things are unfanwankable. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/99 "2023-10-26T23:28:34Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I blame it on the nifty looking ray gun designs that disdain such mundane features as sights. Lots of ray guns had sights.In particular, one of the ones that started it al – The Buck Rogers XZ-31 Rocket Pistol – had a sight. Some of the toy Buck Rogers guns were actually BB guns made by Daisy, so you really wanted a sight on it in order to be able to aim it. > **[Buck Rogers XZ-31 Rocket Pistol | Bullock Texas State History Museum](https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/artifacts/buck-rogers-rocket-pistol)** > > Buck Rogers’s > **[12 – Fifty Cent Ray Gun – Comic Book Archaeology](https://www.codedread.com/comicbooks/12-fifty-cent-raygun/)** Lots of other ray guns on magazine covers and in literature had prominent sights > **[1962 DC Mystery in Space #77 - Adam Strange - Ray Gun in the Sky + Star Rovers...](https://www.ebay.com/itm/383833237632)** > > 1962 DC Mystery in Space #77. Adam Strange in "Ray-Gun in the Sky" & "Star Rovers". This item is sold as is. See photos/scans for details. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001/100 "2023-10-26T23:40:45Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Kind of the same thing for “universal translators.” Star Trek uses them. Star Wars everyone just seems to understand each other with no explanation. The alternative is the story meets a new alien and they stand there jibbering at each other. It makes it hard to progress the story (unless the not understanding each other is part of the story). I’m reminded of District 9 - the South Africans can understand the aliens’ language and vice versa, even though they’re physically incapable of speaking the other’s language. How do you learn to understand a language you lack the mouthparts to vocalize? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-bother-me-in-science-fiction-movies/992001.md?page=6)