Why Use Poor Physics?
Poor Physics is a fiction which creates interesting scenes of impossible reality. The dramatic feats performed are used to exaggerate physical action. Poor physics captures an audience’s attention and imagination and if done well can contribute to a large increase in ticket sales and revenue.
Poor physics can give the characters or events in a film superhuman or unnatural powers. Take for instance Clark Kent's ability to fly in "Superman" or Neo's ability to jump off buildings while in the "Matrix". An audience can become drawn in by the actions poor physics creates, sending them into an alternate reality they can only dream of.
In Pirates of the Caribbean Poor Physics are used to enhance the thrill of action supporting the story. Though the character development in the film is thorough it is through Gore Verbinski’s use of poor physics which creates captivating characters and events. When Jack fights Will Turner in the Blacksmith shop Will skewers Jack’s Sword in the rafters above where they are fighting. Jack pulls the sword out of the rafter and falls on to a cart upon which Will is standing. Jack’s force on the cart propels Will up into the rafters where the fight continues.
When we analyze this scene it is revealed Will does not have the initial velocity needed to get up to the rafters. He would in fact fall back down onto the floor. This example is just one of the many scenes in which poor physics is used in the movie. While not scientifically accurate these scenes do give Prates of the Caribbean a certain pizazzz. Pirates is a Fantasy Adventure movie, the audience isn't paying to watch real life. What the audience wants to see is action, wildness....... and poor physics.