Who doesn't
enjoy watching an action movie where famous landmarks get blown to smithereens? Any film with a decent "blow-up scene" usually does well at the box office, which goes to show that there's nothing like the
energy of destruction. If you can't relate, it's okay. You'll still enjoy seeing the replicated buildings in all of their glory on the silver-screen. In honor of the newest disaster film,
2012, we took a walk down memory lane to recap the 11 greatest architectural treasures ever destroyed on film.
What ever happened to the good old days when Independence Day meant BBQs and parades instead of genocidal alien attacks? This film showcased such an alien attack that completely demolished the White House. We're talking physical demolition, not ethical demolition like the kind caused by a certain former president of ours. At any rate, thank goodness we had Will Smith to defend the good ol' US of A.
Unless you live under a rock (or in Minnesota), you will remember this disaster movie which had Los Angeles natives thinking twice about the word twister. The symbol of all that glitters came to pieces when put at odds with mother nature. Almost makes you wonder about what's really important in life. Almost.
Naturally, monsters play a major role in catastrophic movies. Whether you loved it or hated it, Cloverfield delivered one spectacular monster! Once the creature from the sea ripped the head off of our beloved Statue of Liberty and threw it down the streets of NYC, audiences were at the edge of their seats.
An electric lightning torrent served as the perfect storm of destruction in The Core. So maybe I'm not sold on the idea that the core of the earth will suddenly stop spinning, but who really cares when you get to see the Roman Coliseum shocked to smithereens. It's no secret the Coliseum housed some of the most devastatingly immoral events in the history of Western Civilization. Karma's a bitch, ain't it?
Though the Eiffel Tower appears in many disaster movies, this particular scene of destruction grabbed by attention. I couldn't help but notice how the studio milked the tower's collapse in every trailer and promo for months. In the film, the beautiful landmark eats it as a result of some chemical substance that disintegrates the tower's infrastructure. Say goodbye to the symbol of the city of love.
Even if you haven't seen this movie, you can appreciate the idea of a huge comet hitting the ocean and the resulting wave of water flushing away one of Paris' proudest monuments (after the above mentioned Tower of course.) Most disaster films don't touch the Arc De Triumph, so this scene makes our list for offering a uniquely destructive experience. Way to think outside the box!
This might not have made your top movie list, but given that it obliterates Mount Rushmore, it deserves a spot here on ours. Realistically, strapping Michael Moore with explosives might not be the most practical way to destroy this cherished monument, but it certainly was the most fun.
One of Tim Burton's more ridiculous movies (and that's a pretty big statement considering he directed Edward Scissorhands) captures many darkly humorous moments. But the destructive bull's eye is Big Ben. In the film, Aliens invade planet earth and zap the famous clock to dust. Eh, I was over the whole concept of "time" anyway.
There's no doubt that the awesome, A-list cast stole the show, but coming in at a close second was the meteor shower that effortlessly busted up the famous Chrysler Building! If meteors had an objective, it would be getting straight to the point...of destruction! Plus, the scene can now be used as a metaphor for the financial destruction of the car company. Foreshadowing anyone?
Magneto leads the bad mutants to war against the X-Men, who are lead by Professor Charles Xavier. Along the way, Magneto pulls apart the Golden Gate Bridge to show his mental strength, but also to cause the world's biggest traffic jam! Note to self: avoid San Francisco rush hour when mutants come to town.
This recent release really rocked our list! The idea of the world coming to an end already implies major drama, but why not top it off with the destruction of one of the greatest religious treasures known to mankind?! Kudos to director Roland Emmerich for that ballsy move.
