What about “Yeah, right” moments? These can be found in movies that seem to be competing over some prize for outrageous action and FX that results in a sort of demolition derby of visual exposition.

In the same class: “Oh, please,” “You’ve got to be kidding,” “Oh, come on!” and “Really?” (Dare we call this a trope?)

These are sometimes situations which can’t be saved by hanging a lantern but more often are simply a total violation of credulity.

This may be a subset of Deus ex Machina, perhaps, but is sometimes more subtle and therefore more insidious. Usually this is in high pace action scenes where the audience is expected to simply accept something because it is spectacular or creative.

For me, it’s a real fourth wall moment when I catch them and it is usually annoying and sometimes ruins the movie entirely.

Examples: Spooner sliding down ViKi’s core at the end of I, Robot, where there is a column made of some sort of permeable hot yet viscous something or another whose only discernible purpose is to give hero’s (with robotic arms) a way to get down real fast. Exposed in the open. Stretching over 100 stories. “Yeah, right.”

The incessant use of ubiquitous platforms, ledges and walkways that are surrounded by gaping caverns into which heroes may fall at any moment found in pretty much every Star Wars movie. Without guardrails, even. And into which a number of villains will fall according to some quota. “Really?”

“Deus ex Machina” means “God from machine” (not “God is the machine”) and derives from a practice of ancient Grecian writers who painted themselves into a corner. To extricate themselves, a god enters the scene – one portrayed by an actor that was lowered by ropes and pullies (the machine) to then perform their assigned contrivance. (Kind of like rescuing that last sentence.)

It was a plot device, not a substitution (necessarily) for the hero.

The effect is similar, but I think there is a subtlety in the purpose that may be noteworthy. (*may* be.)

So, I pass this along in case it means anything important. Which it probably doesn’t.

Please know that, despite this weenie post, I am astounded by the value of all the information you present on this site. Best writing on writing I have ever read. You have made me want to write again.

So, thanks!