Unveiling the Truth: Why Michael Bay's Sci-Fi Fails to Capture Realities of Outer Space

Summary

"Although Armageddon's asteroid-nuking scene is undeniably entertaining, it's important to note that its depiction is far from accurate. The reality is that a nuclear weapon would not have the capability to break up a large asteroid as portrayed in the film."

The movie's portrayal of explosions in outer space is unrealistic, as they would actually result in a brief flash without a prolonged glow or a disk-shaped shockwave. Despite this lack of realism, Armageddon manages to provide exhilarating and entertaining high-stakes thrills for those who appreciate exaggerated action. Bay's focus in this science fiction epic was not on realism.

Armageddon, Michael Bay's 1998 sci-fi blockbuster, received criticism from a nuclear expert for its lack of realism. Following the success of Bad Boys and The Rock, Bay ventured into space for his next ambitious project, assembling a star-studded cast including Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Billy Bob Thornton, and Steve Buscemi. With Bay's characteristic over-the-top storytelling, Armageddon catered to audiences' desires in the summer of 1998, raking in a phenomenal $553 million at the global box office with a budget of $140 million.

Despite the movie's appeal to summer moviegoers, one expert contends that Armageddon's portrayal of its subject matter deviates from reality. Nuclear physicist Greg Spriggs dissects the iconic scene where an asteroid is destroyed by a nuclear weapon in a video feature for Insider, exposing significant inaccuracies in the film's understanding of physics. Spriggs argues that it would be unlikely for a nuclear weapon to effectively break apart an asteroid as massive as depicted in the movie, and even if successful, the consequences may worsen the situation. Furthermore, Spriggs criticizes the movie's depiction of explosions in outer space, explaining that there would merely be a flash without a subsequent shockwave. Watch his commentary below (at approximately 1:41 of the video):

The plasma shot out through the fissure after it went off. If they were able to accomplish that, it could potentially break up a small asteroid. However, it would be extremely challenging to find a weapon powerful enough to completely break up a large asteroid. The task would be exceedingly difficult.

In outer space, any shock wave would not be disk-shaped; it would be spherical. There would be a brief, bright flash followed by rapid cooling within 20 microseconds. Therefore, there wouldn't be a lingering glow as depicted in movies or people on Earth witnessing a long-lasting white flash. Instead, the flash would only be visible for a brief period of 10 to 20 microseconds.

If the object is sufficiently small and can be fragmented, there is a possibility that it may disperse within the atmosphere, ultimately consuming itself. However, the outcome of dividing it into two halves would be highly unpredictable. In terms of realism, I would rate this scenario as a one. Attempting to drill into an asteroid and break it apart raises concerns about the unknown composition of its fragments and their potential trajectories. This poses a critical matter of life and death.

Armageddon Placed Spectacle Above Realism

Having demonstrated his prowess in crafting over-the-top, mind-blowing action with his initial successes, Bad Boys and The Rock, Bay stepped up his game even further with Armageddon. Delving into a high-stakes, outer space setting, Bay convincingly delivered breathtaking thrills that took realism to a whole new level. Needless to say, Armageddon was a testament to Bay's deliberate departure from the ordinary.

The style of action depicted in films like Armageddon is considered outdated in 2023, as gritty realism has become the preferred approach. Consequently, Michael Bay, who was once a prominent Hollywood director, has shifted towards creating lower-budget films. Nevertheless, Armageddon continues to provide ample entertainment for individuals who enjoy exaggerated action sequences, whereas the aspect of realism was not a significant factor in Bay's mind during the production of this sci-fi/action spectacle.