Questions about execution
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MovieKnut — 10 years ago(January 16, 2016 03:13 AM)
While I love this movie, I think you are looking way to deeply into this scene.
Pretty much all your questions can be answered by this being for dramatic/artistic effect.
You can't palm off a second-rater on me. You gotta remember I was in the pink! -
fa394 — 9 years ago(September 16, 2016 03:28 PM)
Having watched the (very detailed) execution sequence again it seems to be there to affirm that flash is a human being. Yes he is a hero but he is no superhero and he is ultimately just one of us. He can be overpowered, imprisoned, stripped of almost everything, humiliated and even executed. This is what the execution scenes are there for, to remind us of flash's humanity and weaknesses so that we can relate to him as one of us. Plus we get to see him almost naked in leather shorts and handcuffs walking to his death. How cool and unusual is that for the hero in a movie?
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fa394 — 9 years ago(October 08, 2016 06:06 AM)
'This will help you on your way' suggests something to speed up death, to make the gas work faster. The doctor is obviously expected to be at the execution so this would be what he normally administers. However in this case he presumably injects flash with some kind of antidote to counter the effects of the gas, so that instead of being lethal the gas sends him into a deep sleep from which he can later be revived. (If you look very closely you can see flash breathing slightly when he is lying in the coffin before being revived). Clearly mongo's medical technology is considerably more advanced than earth's, luckily for Flash
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Mickyfinn — 9 years ago(October 24, 2016 02:50 PM)
He injects Flash when he revives him with Aura. If what he injects is an antidote at the execution its a two part one. It must be customary to inject something "to help on the way", otherwise wouldn't Ming be a bit suspicious if the doctor suddenly injected something in him he hadn't to others?
You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design -
SalinaUT — 5 years ago(December 03, 2020 02:49 AM)
- He's dangerous. Think about it: Ming recognized Flash as a threat after he beat down on his guards in the throne room. Putting a mask on him in the dungeon keeps Flash blind and immobile, and makes him less likely to cause trouble before his execution.
- As another poster said: the gas works best on bare skin. Removing Flash's clothes deprives him of any protection against the poison. There is also a humiliation aspect to it.
- Dignity. To be shot resisting is not very heroic. The plot of the movie kinda depends on that not happening too. Shaking off the guards is token resistance. Walking into the chamber anyway shows Flash bravely accepting his fate.
- The hood is used to give Flash privacy in his final moments.
- Not 100% sure… I think its just a head restraint. You can see it shaking slightly as the gas takes effect. Given the similarities, I'm surprised Flash isn't more concerned by the thought amplifier in Auras shuttle: an unwelcome reminder of his time in the gas chamber.
- Yeah that's not trying to escape. That's struggling for life under the effects of poison gas, which is no doubt very painful.
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Sherdons — 3 years ago(May 15, 2022 12:57 PM)
It is a strange sequence I agree, disturbing unsettling, at times quite beautiful and with both sensual and sexual undertones and several subtle hints at what is to come
I think most things can be explained or guessed though. Here are my views
Dungeon helmet: heavy and cruel, designed to keep flash totally in the dark and helpless until the time of his execution. The spikes are probably indicative of a very special prisoner, probably a condemned one with no possibility of pardon. Flash states he can hardly breathe while wearing it, a clue to his forthcoming fate by suffocation in a gas chamber
Clothes removed:
Probably several reasons for this
To make him feel inferior and humiliated during the final moments of his life ie as part of his punishment
To ensure that he is totally defenceless and unable to do anything to stop himself being executed
So that the gas works faster, if his body is bare and exposed it will be absorbed through the skin much faster
Poison gas would probably leave residue on any clothes that he is wearing, hence it makes sense for him to be as near naked as possible
Finally to give him the opportunity to show off his impressive body one final time before his life is over. His final salute to his admirers, Dale and Aura mostly…
Why enter the gas chamber rather than be shot:
Again a few reasons
Resisting the guards is indeed a token gesture of defiance. Flash approaches the steps to the gas chamber and stops, and we see the first flicker of fear in his face as the reality of the situation sinks in. Flash is well aware by now that there is no escape, he is helpless and defenceless, wrists cuffed, totally outnumbered. Yet he remains defiant and heroic to the end and even flexes his pecs a couple of times as if in a final salute to his admirers. He climbs the steps, steady and dignified, glaring contemptuously at his enemies before taking one last long look at the universe, resigned now to his cruel fate. He sees Dale looking down in tears, sets his jaw, turns and walks slowly and sadly into the chamber to meet his doom. This remains the best option rather than being shot as there is still a possibility the chamber could malfunction or something could go wrong to give him a reprieve, however brief
Black hood:
This continues the execution theme, black hood, black helmet, black execution trunks, black wrist cuffs…
The hood covers flash's face for the final time giving him a final brief dignity and hiding any further emotions on his part. It also offers some cushioning and comfort from the head restraint which is lowered onto him (see next entry)
Black cylinder:
This is part of the restraints holding flash in the chair, this one to restrain and control his head and prevent any violent convulsions during the gassing.
Gas release:
Despite the black cylinder Flash's convulsions are strong enough that his head still shakes visibly along with rest of his body. Yes he is not trying to escape at this point but dying. The thick yellow gas is being absorbed through his skin causing muscle spasms and is so incredibly toxic that it apparently ends flash's life in little over 10 seconds, his clenched fists falling lifeless and limp as the gas takes full effect on his helpless body. A horrific but fairly quick way of bringing our hero's life to an untimely end
Or is it?
Gordon's alive?! -
James9207 — 2 years ago(September 17, 2023 02:12 PM)
Well I don't know about the reasons behind it all but this was one weird set of images. Totally was not expecting that! Flash prancing around in tiny leather undies and nothing else! OMG? And this is supposed to be a family film suitable for kids?
Watched this last night with girlfriend expecting to be entertained but those execution scenes were just bizarre and almost perverted lol just found myself cringing as Flash was paraded around like that
Having said that gf was glued to the screen and found them really horny so she enjoyed it at least haha
Anyone else find it really weird and rather embarrassing/uncomfortable to watch?