We’ve been watching movies and TV long enough to know that when a computer’s involved, it’s a magic box that can do whatever the story requires it to. Even if it bears no resemblance to reality.
Most of this list, compiled by some expert wonks in the UK, is made up of perfectly valid examples of how computers and their usage is sexed up by Hollywood — especially the whole exploding CPU business — but the biggest offender is the old “zoom and enhance” chestnut. Not only has it been going on for decades, but it usually bears a direct impact on the plot. As such, it’s one of the laziest tools at a writer’s disposal. “How to we connect the dots for the detective hero? Zoom and enhance!”
