The Laws of Physics in an Animation Universe

Funny Physics in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

I. Introduction

- describe the movie, an animated family film, goofy

- film universe is based on our laws of physics

- hypothesis: humor and storytelling override the laws of physics

II. Selective Gravity

- parabolic arcs adjusted for comical/dramatic effect (flying car falling off dock, Earl's toast boat falling into port)

- flying objects move in space without following trajectory (malfunctioning device zigzags in air)

- falling objects tend to float down, rather than fall (sardine stops mid fall)

III. Unequal Reaction

- opposing reactions are non-existent or severely unequal

- gigantic pieces of food fall from the sky with little to no damage done to the community (giant scoops of ice cream, people-sized hot dogs etc.), then later in the movie the falling food is devastating (giant pancake crushes school)

IV. Movement without Force

- inanimate objects move without a force acting upon them (slices of pizza fly and chase Flint's flying car)

- giant rotisserie chickens attack Flint with karate

IV. Conclusion

- the laws of physics are used to create a sense of realism, and then broken when they impede storytelling and funniness