The Laws of Physics in an Animation Universe

One of the most wonderful benefits of animation as a medium is the ability to create universes out of almost nothing at all. These universes, although not always plausible, are believable if executed properly. The universe depicted in the 2011 film “The Lorax” is a perfect example of a universe that is believable yet does not follow all the same rules of physics we know to be true. The directors of this film were able to accomplish this believable non-existent universe in countless ways. A few prime examples include the use of slow motion to exaggerate motion while still keeping the feel of gravity, inventions like Teds motor bike, and overall exaggeration of movements.

Slow motion is a perfect opportunity to showcase specific moments within a film. Some directors use slow motion to exhibit remarkable athletic ability or some natural phenomena. Others use it to highlight a specific moment in time within a film to add drama or prove a point. Directors of animated films, on the other hand, tend to use this technique to highlight comedic moments. This is what Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda used slow motion for in The Lorax. This technique is also used to help establish the type of universe the film is taking place within. For example, when the Once-ler arrives in the forest and is first unwelcome by the woodland creatures, he tries to earn their trust using a bag of marshmallows. When he opens the bag of marshmallows the slow motion shot begins and the sweet treats erupt out of the bag with more force than possible. When the marshmallows begin to fall, the animals are shown jumping through the air, catching them in their mouths. The animals are also shown it what looks like a vast pool of marshmallows that act in a similar way to water. Water is a real substance that we are all familiar with so the eye is fooled into thinking a marshmallow lake is plausible. The commercial for bottled air is also shot in slow motion. In this shot, whenever a bottle of air is opened, the person opening it has a force of propelled air acting upon them as if a fan or burst of air is hitting them in the face. A bottle of air would release a slight burst, but not one large enough to blow someones hair straight back or to alter the look of someones face. But since the action is exaggerated for comedic purposes and still adheres to gravity, the audience buys into the improper visuals. 

                                          

 Teds motor Bike is another great example of how the universe within the film strays from our reality yet stays intact enough for the audience to believe in it. The way Teds bike moves is comparable to that of a segway, a mode of transportation that is very real and exists in our world. There are some obvious differences between the two. For example, there is a scene in which Ted rides his bike up a flight of steep steps with ease. This would not be possible on a segway unless some specific modifications were made to the steps or the vehicle. Another difference is seen when Ted is fleeing through the city to avoid O Hare and his goons. Not only is ted speeding around town on his bike in a theatrical way, but he also has his grandmother and love interest, Audrey on the bike with him as well. In our universe, it is very possible to have 2 people on a motorcycle but certainly not a segway. This means the idea of 3 people on a segway is utterly preposterous. Although the way Ted rides his bike up the stairs is highly improbable and the way he rides his bike with three passengers is most likely impossible, the way his body moves in relation to the bike and weight distribution are executed in a way that is not distracting and is believable.

Finally, the audience is exposed to a great deal of exaggerated movements that still seem to follow the laws of gravity. Teds Grandmother bounces her food with her fork like a super ball then allows it to bounce straight into her mouth. The audience recognizes that bouncing a ball in such a way is totally possible and follows some laws of gravity. But if examined closer, the substance Teds grandma is bouncing resembles some sort of gelatin which doesn’t act the same as rubber. Or for example, when the Lorax pops out of a tree like a ball out of a cannon the tree buckles in a way that would show that something was about to be pushed out from within it. A tree would never do this but the way the tree is contorted by the animators is very accurate and believable and would act this way if perhaps made from a substance other than wood. When the Lorax emerges he plops out with a great deal of weight and even thou his landing is a bit exaggerated and quicker than natural, it follows the laws of gravity. The Once-ler makes pancakes and flips them in a believable way yet moves his body in a way that is very noodle and impossible. I’ve seen my father flip a pancake successfully so I know it is possible, yet I know my father and most other people are incapable of bending backward to catch a pancake behind their back at the same angle the Once-ler does. And finally during the Thneed song we see a nun jump over a crowd of people as if suspended from a harness and we see a man use the Thneed to wiggle a child around his belly in a totally impossible way. The boy has overlapping action and the timing is well orchestrated still making the shot plausible.

  

All in all, the Lorax displays a beautiful, well designed universe that has many laws of physics that are similar to our own. This film also breaks many rules of physics, mainly for comedic value. When these laws are broken, the view is not distracted by them because they are carried out in a believable way.