In Mission Impossible (1996), during the opening mission Emilio Estevez is in the elevator shaft on top of the carriage. Then the elevator starts going upward really fast. Then we see a shot of some spikes coming out at the top of the elevator shaft, and then two seconds later Emilio Estevez gets skewered in the face by one of those spikes.
What are those spikes? Are they a standard feature of elevator shafts which are activated when it seems likely that the carriage is going to crash into the top? Or was it a booby trap set by the diabolical Mr Voight or one of his henchmen? And without being uncommonly knowledgeable about elevator design, how is the viewer supposed to know? Is the viewer supposed to know? Are there hints or indications that I'm missing?
I imagine the 'malfunction' that caused the elevator to speed toward the roof uncontrollably was a booby trap. But surely Estevez would have been instantly crushed even if there were no spikes.
I have no idea about the answer, but I just wanted to chime in to say this is probably the best movie-related question I've seen in at least the past fortnight.
My knowledge of elevators doesn't go much beyond 1) step in, 2) push button, 3) magically appear on different floor without using stairs, but it seems that it would have to have been some sort of trap because elevators don't move that fast and the spikes seem...pointless...to the function of the elevator.
CMonster wrote:My knowledge of elevators doesn't go much beyond 1) step in, 2) push button, 3) magically appear on different floor without using stairs, but it seems that it would have to have been some sort of trap because elevators don't move that fast and the spikes seem...pointless...to the function of the elevator.
You're overlooking the possibility that the intended function of elevators is to kill Emilio Estevez. That riding up & down stuff is just a side-benefit. Never underestimate how deep this conspiracy goes.
snallygaster wrote: You're overlooking the possibility that the intended function of elevators is to kill Emilio Estevez. That riding up & down stuff is just a side-benefit. Never underestimate how deep this conspiracy goes.
Having seen this movie again recently, I was under the impression that all US Embassies come with elevator spikes that activate if someone decides to hang out on top of an elevator while hacking shit.
