Factual error: The film states that the story takes place in the year 1998. Everything in the opening scenes crams in every 90's cliché imaginable to reinforce the era. However, at 1m56s into the movie, the main character is driving on the freeway and it cuts to a shot showing that he's driving behind a marked police car. Specifically, a Police Interceptor model Ford Explorer that did not hit the market until 2012. (00:01:56)
Factual error: In 1915 Tolkien was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with the Lancashire Fusiliers. He (plus various other officers) is constantly shown in the film wearing bright metal cap badge, collar badges and shoulder titles on his Service Dress tunic and greatcoat. However, in the Lancashire Fusiliers officers did not wear shoulder titles on their SD tunics/greatcoats, and their cap/collar badges would have been in a darkened bronze finish, not bright metal (which was for Other Ranks and NCO's).
Factual error: There are roars of thunder without any visible lightning. Next, two bolts of lightning occur at the same time as the thunder booms (but the thunder continues after the lightning strikes). People see lightning before hearing thunder. (Although the two do happen at approximately the same time, light travels faster than sound which is why people see lightning first). (00:12:45)
Factual error: The German character plays a record on his gramophone 'Four Last songs' by Richard Strauss, composed in 1948. The film is set in 1945-46.
Factual error: Peg turned state's witness against other debt collectors (who were convicted thanks to her testimony) and her "deal" with the prosecutor cleared her of all debt-related charges. However, her destruction of evidence (52,437 debt sheets) could not be overlooked or forgiven and she had to serve time in confinement. Peg said, "Luckily, half my jury had their debt erased in the fire, so I got a lighter sentence." This would NOT happen in court! Potential jurors are questioned to make sure they are non-biased, know little if anything about the case, do not have a vested interest (they are neutral and detached) in the outcome, etc. Each side (prosecution and defense) is allowed a certain number of peremptory challenges (allowing them to dismiss a certain number of potential jurors). Screening questions to potential jurors in this case would include whether they currently have debt, which creates bias and would result in dismissal as a juror. Jurors also would NOT determine her sentence. (01:27:46)
Factual error: It's a superhero movie, but the human Catwoman escapes Batman by jumping off the building, onto a train moving at full speed, in a fall that is shown taking at least 10 floors (first shot, she is still upside down) + another 10 (when she flips so she can land on her feet). Over twenty floors of casual, unassisted freefall jump feel a little over the top already, and again, it's on the top of a moving train, that alone should be impossible to happen the way it does here, not affected by the lateral speed of the train at all. (00:10:40)
Factual error: Fire extinguishers should be prominently displayed with no obstructions around them. The fire extinguisher was attached to a wall between the door and window, but it was partially obstructed or concealed by (artificial?) tree leaves. It also looked like the tree and plants might have been on a table that sets below the fire extinguisher, which could block the approach (wasting valuable seconds). (00:39:25)
Factual error: Drinking a juice box in 1977. They didn't appear in the US until 1980.
Factual error: Russell said he served twenty-one years in prison because his last offense - possession of 30 grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute - counted as his "third strike" under California's "Three Strikes And You're Out" statute. When he was on the internet trying to locate his father (instead finding his obituary from 2001), information on the computer indicated it was now 2012. This would mean Russell was incarcerated since 1991 - and further indicates he was sentenced about three years BEFORE California's "Three Strikes And You're Out" statute was implemented. Also, 30g of marijuana is the limit for "personal use", so he wouldn't have been charged with intent to distribute. (00:16:15)
Factual error: The soldier getting picked up by his girlfriend is wearing a US Woodland Camouflage uniform which was phased out in 2012. The Army phased it out in 2004 for the digital Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) and in 2019 for the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). The Marines phased it out in 2002 for the MARPAT Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform. The Navy still retains it for the Navy Seals or special boat crews. The dude in the movie is Army according to his jacket and film takes place in 2019. (00:04:00 - 00:05:00)
Factual error: Attorney Aegis inappropriately rounded up/down a couple common statistics pertaining to the infamous Ford Pinto case, which resulted in a total that didn't add up: "it would cost the company $11 per Pinto to fix the problem. But with 12 million [should be 12.5] of 'em on the road, that would cost $137 million compared with $50 million [should be 49.5] to maintain the status quo. $137 million to fix a $50 million problem..." But 12 million x $11 = $132 million [not $137 million]. (00:24:38)
Factual error: During the opening credits, Alec Baldwin and Selma Hayek are driving back to New York. They pass by various buildings, one shot being entirely devoted to a dilapidated Blockbuster video store. That shot must have been archive footage from the UK, since you can see the realtor sign by it, and it's from Carter Jonas, a London based firm, and gives an 01962 phone number (Windsor).
Factual error: A modern conference call system can be seen on the desk inside the FBI office.
Factual error: Towards the end of the movie when Superman and Henshaw are fighting on the Watch Tower in space, Lois hits the sun shades to lower them so that direct sunlight can hit Superman and power him up. This is out in space with no atmosphere to filter the sunlight. The reason the blockers were there was for this reason, to keep the harmful unfiltered sun light from hitting people on the ship through the windows. However, she is able to stand there in the direct light after it's done and kiss and hold Superman without being hurt or burned by the intense direct unfiltered sunlight or its radiation.
Factual error: Mohegan Sun casino is in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut does not have legalized sports betting and did not have it in 2012, when the film is set, therefore Julia would not have been able to place Howard's bet.
Factual error: After they get the key from the game, the lock they open is a modern Kwikset Smart Key cylinder.
Factual error: The scene where the Jeep gets stopped with its front tires on a lava flow wider than the hood and a lava flow under the cargo area is unrealistic. The lava or rising heat would be enough to damage belts/hoses. Zhang Nan would not be able to stand on the Jeep's hood that long (without injuries/burns) due to the intense heat. Crouching near lava is not as hot, so a person could withstand the heat for a few seconds under certain conditions, but not minutes like Zhang did standing on the hood. (01:09:53 - 01:10:25)
Factual error: Most of the action is set in 1988. The prologue with the two little girls is set before or during that year, but the girl scouts are selling "Thindulgent Sandwich cookies", by Sheila G, a brand established after 1992. (00:01:55)
Factual error: During the FBI briefing, the coordinates of the mosque supposedly in Harlem are shown on screen long enough to allow you to read them. The coordinates are 34.1234379 -117.177613, which would put the mosque somewhere in California. (00:09:45)
Factual error: The silhouette elephant weather-vane is incorrectly made and would never point into the wind because the elephants are too far forward.