Simon Dunn

Scriptwriter and Comedian

Oblivious Janitor Cut

There’s a trope that action movies keep revisiting because it seems like it should be funny, but I’m pretty sure it’s not. It’s that bit when Arnie is flying a Harrier Jump Jet precariously close to a skyscraper facade, and we cut inside and see a cleaner with headphones on, completely oblivious to the action outside.

It’s not just True Lies though. It happens in Mission Impossible 3 too. And in The Amazing Spider-Man also, this time with added (obligatory) Stan Lee Marvel cameo. There are variants in Super 8, Grosse Point Blank, and even Harry Potter. At least in Grosse Point Blank, they added an extra level to the gag.

Has it ever been that funny?

 

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