Says dumb
A critical piece of the mission failing just when the heroes need a sacrifice is a convenient accident. I wish the film had shown the failure earlier.
Why did the remote detonator fail?
Armageddon
Armageddon (1998)
At 2:13:20
Verdict: Explained. 48% of viewers say this is dumb. Top defense: A manual trigger is a reasonable backup when the remote link could fail near an asteroid.
Explained
48% dumb52% explained
690 votes
Dumbness rating
6.6/ 10(690 ratings)Explained. More viewers say this scene is explained than dumb, so it does not count toward the title score.
Plot holeConvenient coincidence
Your verdict
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What happens in this scene
As the bomb nears the detonation point, the remote trigger stops working and the countdown cannot be started. The crew has to find another way to set off the bomb. One of them stays behind to do it by hand.
The tone toggle also switches the reviews below. Contains spoilers for this scene only.
Reviews 3
Says explained
The film shows that the mission has equipment trouble all through. A manual backup is a reasonable plan and the failure forces the final choice.
Says explained
The failure is a small part of a larger emotional scene. I did not see it as a hole, because the film is about the choice.
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Actually, it’s explained
A manual trigger is a reasonable backup when the remote link could fail near an asteroid.
- DumbScenesStaff8 months ago
A manual trigger is a reasonable backup when the remote link could fail near an asteroid.
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Quick Fix
Fixes are written by people. The smallest change, in 200 characters or fewer, that would have fixed the scene. AI is used only for duplicate detection, length and moderation.
Plant it earlier
Have Truman warn that the remote link is unreliable at that distance and the crew must prepare a manual trigger.
Would this fix it?77% say yes
script_doctor_samSupporter2 months ago
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Also asked as
- Why did the remote trigger stop working?
- Why did someone have to stay on the asteroid?