Catch a Falling Star: Difference between revisions

Content added Content deleted
VisualWikitext
m (categories and general cleanup)
m (Mass update links)
Line 19: Line 19:
* ''[[Last Exile]]''
* ''[[Last Exile]]''
* ''[[Simoun]]'': When Kaimu falls from the [[Airborne Aircraft Carrier|flying base ship]], Neviril and Alti use their Simoun to create a special Ri Maajon effect that stops her in midair, which lets them calmly pull her back aboard.
* ''[[Simoun]]'': When Kaimu falls from the [[Airborne Aircraft Carrier|flying base ship]], Neviril and Alti use their Simoun to create a special Ri Maajon effect that stops her in midair, which lets them calmly pull her back aboard.
* Kanbei rescues Kirara in ''[[Samurai Seven|Samurai 7]]'' by leaping after her as she falls.
* Kanbei rescues Kirara in ''[[Samurai 7]]'' by leaping after her as she falls.
** But they at least try to avoid the [[Not the Fall That Kills You]] by having him grind his blade against the gears on a falling elevator to slow them down. How his sword is still in one piece after that? The world may never know.
** But they at least try to avoid the [[Not the Fall That Kills You]] by having him grind his blade against the gears on a falling elevator to slow them down. How his sword is still in one piece after that? The world may never know.
*** Given that [[Katanas Are Just Better|swords]] in that series can cut through giant robots and deflect energy beams, using them as elevator brakes is just par for the course.
*** Given that [[Katanas Are Just Better|swords]] in that series can cut through giant robots and deflect energy beams, using them as elevator brakes is just par for the course.
Line 31: Line 31:
* Renton and Eureka pull this off at least twice in ''[[Eureka Seven]]''.
* Renton and Eureka pull this off at least twice in ''[[Eureka Seven]]''.
* In the final episode of ''[[Gate Keepers]] 21'', Miyu catches Yukino after the latter is struck down in a [[Blast Out]] and falls from the top of a [[Humongous Mecha]]. {{spoiler|Yukino is mortally wounded, however, and dies in Miyu's arms.}}
* In the final episode of ''[[Gate Keepers]] 21'', Miyu catches Yukino after the latter is struck down in a [[Blast Out]] and falls from the top of a [[Humongous Mecha]]. {{spoiler|Yukino is mortally wounded, however, and dies in Miyu's arms.}}
* In ''[[Zero no Tsukaima (Light Novel)|Zero no Tsukaima]]'', Tabitha's dragon familiar Sylphid has done this '''at least once''' for Saito in the light novels and for Saito and Louise (a separate incident) in the anime -- as well as in the opening credits for the anime's third season.
* In ''[[Zero no Tsukaima]]'', Tabitha's dragon familiar Sylphid has done this '''at least once''' for Saito in the light novels and for Saito and Louise (a separate incident) in the anime -- as well as in the opening credits for the anime's third season.
* The finale of ''[[Sailor Moon]] SuperS'' has Moon and an unconscious Chibimoon falling to their deaths. After catching Chibimoon, Moon spends the rest of the fall trying to get her to wake up so that they can use the Golden Crystal to save them. When she finally does, the Golden Crystal gives them wings which they use to land safely. It's a touching scene, as long as you ignore how long they spend falling.
* The finale of ''[[Sailor Moon]] SuperS'' has Moon and an unconscious Chibimoon falling to their deaths. After catching Chibimoon, Moon spends the rest of the fall trying to get her to wake up so that they can use the Golden Crystal to save them. When she finally does, the Golden Crystal gives them wings which they use to land safely. It's a touching scene, as long as you ignore how long they spend falling.
** There ''is'' some attempt at physics in this scene. Chibimoon is flung, unconscious and limp, off a huge floating platform; Moon jumps after her using her weight and the velocity of her dive to make up the distance between them. Chibimoon is a little girl no older than 7, so she's also light enough to be blown by the wind. By the time Moon catches her, they have matched velocity. But don't ask me how [[Rule of Cool|transforming into Princess Serenity, flowing gown and all, helped here]].
** There ''is'' some attempt at physics in this scene. Chibimoon is flung, unconscious and limp, off a huge floating platform; Moon jumps after her using her weight and the velocity of her dive to make up the distance between them. Chibimoon is a little girl no older than 7, so she's also light enough to be blown by the wind. By the time Moon catches her, they have matched velocity. But don't ask me how [[Rule of Cool|transforming into Princess Serenity, flowing gown and all, helped here]].
Line 38: Line 38:
* Happens often in ''[[Sonic X]]'', except with Cosmo during her first appearance, where she hit the ground a good few moments before anyone found her... but her dress allowed her to land safely.
* Happens often in ''[[Sonic X]]'', except with Cosmo during her first appearance, where she hit the ground a good few moments before anyone found her... but her dress allowed her to land safely.
** Also used in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog The Movie]]'', with Knuckles gliding over to catch Sara after she falls out of Robotnik's aircraft.
** Also used in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog The Movie]]'', with Knuckles gliding over to catch Sara after she falls out of Robotnik's aircraft.
* In ''[[Pokémon 3 (Anime)|Pokémon 3]]'', Ash is knocked off the mansion by Entei, but is caught by his Charizard in a [[Big Damn Heroes]] moment.
* In ''[[Pokémon 3]]'', Ash is knocked off the mansion by Entei, but is caught by his Charizard in a [[Big Damn Heroes]] moment.
* Kaitou Kid in ''Detective Conan'' has a to do this from time to time by virtue of having a Cape that turns into a hang glider. In movie 8 Conan uses it against Kid.
* Kaitou Kid in ''Detective Conan'' has a to do this from time to time by virtue of having a Cape that turns into a hang glider. In movie 8 Conan uses it against Kid.


Line 49: Line 49:
== Radio ==
== Radio ==


* ''[[The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy (Radio)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]].'' Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, and Zaphod Beeblebrox all land on giant sentient birds when they fall out of an enormous marble teacup. The birds lampshade this when landed upon, saying, "This is utterly ludicrous!"
* ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (radio series)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]].'' Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, and Zaphod Beeblebrox all land on giant sentient birds when they fall out of an enormous marble teacup. The birds lampshade this when landed upon, saying, "This is utterly ludicrous!"


== Film ==
== Film ==
Line 62: Line 62:
* Used in ''[[The Dark Knight]]''. They try to make it more reasonable by {{spoiler|Batman unfolding his cape and gliding down with Rachel, but there's not nearly enough time with the way the film is edited for them not to have at least some kind of injury when they land}}.
* Used in ''[[The Dark Knight]]''. They try to make it more reasonable by {{spoiler|Batman unfolding his cape and gliding down with Rachel, but there's not nearly enough time with the way the film is edited for them not to have at least some kind of injury when they land}}.
** This is averted later on when a mobster {{spoiler|says that he's too close to the ground to die, if dropped. Batman agrees and lets go, and both of the mobster's legs are broken when he hits the ground.}}
** This is averted later on when a mobster {{spoiler|says that he's too close to the ground to die, if dropped. Batman agrees and lets go, and both of the mobster's legs are broken when he hits the ground.}}
* And, of course, we can't forget Spock halting Kirk's fall from El Capitan in ''[[Star Trek V the Final Frontier (Film)|Star Trek V the Final Frontier]]''... [[Broad Strokes|although much of that film is officially dubious as to its canon status....]]
* And, of course, we can't forget Spock halting Kirk's fall from El Capitan in ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier|Star Trek V the Final Frontier]]''... [[Broad Strokes|although much of that film is officially dubious as to its canon status....]]
** And let's not omit Kirk catching Sulu mid-air over Vulcan in [[Star Trek (Film)|XI]]. But at least they do take some physics into account and have Kirk's chute be unable to hold them both.
** And let's not omit Kirk catching Sulu mid-air over Vulcan in [[Star Trek (film)|XI]]. But at least they do take some physics into account and have Kirk's chute be unable to hold them both.
* Gandalf's escape from Isengard via Gwaihir Air Service in the first film of ''[[Lord of the Rings]]''. Also counts as a [[Suicidal Gotcha]].
* Gandalf's escape from Isengard via Gwaihir Air Service in the first film of ''[[Lord of the Rings]]''. Also counts as a [[Suicidal Gotcha]].
* In ''[[Looney Tunes Back in Action (Film)|Looney Tunes Back in Action]]'', Jenna Elfman is hurled off the top of the Eiffel Tower, and Brendan Fraser leaps after her, busting out a grappling hook after successfully grabbing her. The movie goes in a different direction from the rather obvious ''Spider-Man'' element by having them swing right through some road stalls, getting stuck with a bunch of flowers, and landing comfortably at a roadside cafe, looking like they're really on a date...
* In ''[[Looney Tunes: Back in Action|Looney Tunes Back in Action]]'', Jenna Elfman is hurled off the top of the Eiffel Tower, and Brendan Fraser leaps after her, busting out a grappling hook after successfully grabbing her. The movie goes in a different direction from the rather obvious ''Spider-Man'' element by having them swing right through some road stalls, getting stuck with a bunch of flowers, and landing comfortably at a roadside cafe, looking like they're really on a date...
* Subverted in the ''[[Iron Man (Film)|Iron Man]]'' movie, where instead of catching the falling jet pilot, Iron Man just activates his jammed parachute.
* Subverted in the ''[[Iron Man (film)|Iron Man]]'' movie, where instead of catching the falling jet pilot, Iron Man just activates his jammed parachute.
* Played painfully straight in ''[[The Matrix]]: Reloaded''. {{spoiler|Trinity decides that a fall from the 65th floor of a building is less lethal than dealing with an Agent, so she jumps out a window. Moments before she hits the ground, Neo swoops in (at a speed so fast that he has a tornado of cars in his wake) and catches her in his arms, thus letting her only fall 64 1/2 stories instead of 65.}}
* Played painfully straight in ''[[The Matrix]]: Reloaded''. {{spoiler|Trinity decides that a fall from the 65th floor of a building is less lethal than dealing with an Agent, so she jumps out a window. Moments before she hits the ground, Neo swoops in (at a speed so fast that he has a tornado of cars in his wake) and catches her in his arms, thus letting her only fall 64 1/2 stories instead of 65.}}
** In all fairness, Neo's status as "The One" basically gives him the power of Fuck You Physics in the Matrix. Which, of course, raises more questions...
** In all fairness, Neo's status as "The One" basically gives him the power of Fuck You Physics in the Matrix. Which, of course, raises more questions...
Line 73: Line 73:
* [[Harry Potter]] is saved by Dumbledore after falling off his broom in ''Prisoner of Azkaban''.
* [[Harry Potter]] is saved by Dumbledore after falling off his broom in ''Prisoner of Azkaban''.
** Justified, as [[A Wizard Did It]].
** Justified, as [[A Wizard Did It]].
* Towards the end of ''[[The Avengers (Film)|The Avengers]]'', Iron Man is falling from low earth orbit, unconscious and no power in his suit. The Hulk leaps by, catches him, drags his hand down a nearby building to slow both of them to a Stark-safe velocity, ultimately cushioning Tony with his own body for the final 20 feet or so to the pavement.
* Towards the end of ''[[The Avengers (film)|The Avengers]]'', Iron Man is falling from low earth orbit, unconscious and no power in his suit. The Hulk leaps by, catches him, drags his hand down a nearby building to slow both of them to a Stark-safe velocity, ultimately cushioning Tony with his own body for the final 20 feet or so to the pavement.




Line 82: Line 82:
== Video Games ==
== Video Games ==


* ''[[Cave Story (Video Game)|Cave Story]]'': Occurs in the normal ending to the game, where the player and a companion are both caught by a small flying dragon.
* ''[[Cave Story]]'': Occurs in the normal ending to the game, where the player and a companion are both caught by a small flying dragon.
* A variation occurs in ''[[Super Smash Bros|Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'''s Subspace Emissary mode, where several of the heroes jump out of a bomb-filled room and land in Captain Falcon's [[Cool Car]]. They're falling at enough of a height that they ought to be at terminal velocity, but ''Smash'' never really bothered with falling damage, what with being [[Rule of Cool]] and all.
* A variation occurs in ''[[Super Smash Bros|Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'''s Subspace Emissary mode, where several of the heroes jump out of a bomb-filled room and land in Captain Falcon's [[Cool Car]]. They're falling at enough of a height that they ought to be at terminal velocity, but ''Smash'' never really bothered with falling damage, what with being [[Rule of Cool]] and all.
** Really, The terminal velocity for the story doesn't appear to fall under [[Gameplay and Story Segregation]], and is thus about 5 mph.
** Really, The terminal velocity for the story doesn't appear to fall under [[Gameplay and Story Segregation]], and is thus about 5 mph.
** Also, Meta Knight pulls this off with Lucas and the Pokemon Trainer, ''right'' before they hit the ground. Although at least in that case it seemed like Lucas was trying to psychokinetically slow their fall.
** Also, Meta Knight pulls this off with Lucas and the Pokemon Trainer, ''right'' before they hit the ground. Although at least in that case it seemed like Lucas was trying to psychokinetically slow their fall.
*** Also, the Trainer had already recovered his Charizard at that point, and could have used it to save them. Too bad he was unconscious...
*** Also, the Trainer had already recovered his Charizard at that point, and could have used it to save them. Too bad he was unconscious...
* In ''[[Star Fox (Video Game)|Star Fox]] Assault'', Peppy catches the falling ship of General Pepper with his own arwing, slowing the fall enough to save his life. Wolf also saves Fox this way, [[The Only One Allowed to Defeat You|since he wants to take him down personally]].
* In ''[[Star Fox (series)|Star Fox]] Assault'', Peppy catches the falling ship of General Pepper with his own arwing, slowing the fall enough to save his life. Wolf also saves Fox this way, [[The Only One Allowed to Defeat You|since he wants to take him down personally]].
* In ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', Terra's magic power vanishes, taking away her Esper half and its ability to fly. Setzer then dives his zeppelin-sized (and shaped) airship to catch her, flying fast enough to ''knock out everyone on board'', and [[Improbable Piloting Skills|apparently scooping her up on the bow of the "boat" part of the airship]] (which, aside from being a tenth of the size of the dirigible, hangs from the stern end of the ship.)
* In ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', Terra's magic power vanishes, taking away her Esper half and its ability to fly. Setzer then dives his zeppelin-sized (and shaped) airship to catch her, flying fast enough to ''knock out everyone on board'', and [[Improbable Piloting Skills|apparently scooping her up on the bow of the "boat" part of the airship]] (which, aside from being a tenth of the size of the dirigible, hangs from the stern end of the ship.)
* ''[[Illusion of Gaia]]'' parodies and subverts this one at the same time. After the second major dungeon, the hero Will falls from a floating continent, but luckily his cousin Neil owns the only biplane in existence, and flies up to catch him. Except he misses Will the first time! The second time he catches him, but <s>in doing so plunges into the ocean</s> runs out of fuel before they reach land, causing them to crash in the ocean ''near'' an island.
* ''[[Illusion of Gaia]]'' parodies and subverts this one at the same time. After the second major dungeon, the hero Will falls from a floating continent, but luckily his cousin Neil owns the only biplane in existence, and flies up to catch him. Except he misses Will the first time! The second time he catches him, but <s>in doing so plunges into the ocean</s> runs out of fuel before they reach land, causing them to crash in the ocean ''near'' an island.
* [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] likes this one. In ''[[Sonic 2]]'', ''[[Sonic 3 and Knuckles (Video Game)|Sonic & Knuckles]]'' and ''[[Sonic Advance]]'', Sonic/Tails manage atmospheric re-entry, and survive by landing on the Tornado.
* [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] likes this one. In ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'', ''[[Sonic 3 and Knuckles|Sonic & Knuckles]]'' and ''[[Sonic Advance]]'', Sonic/Tails manage atmospheric re-entry, and survive by landing on the Tornado.
* Played straight in ''[[Metroid]] Prime 3: Corruption'' during the first Ridley fight, which occurs as both combatants are free-falling down a fusion generator tunnel about sixteen thousand meters deep. Once Samus polishes off Ridley, Rundas, showing off his powers of ice flight, swoops down the tunnel, [[Big Damn Heroes|catching her a few thousand meters from the bottom]], which also served as his [[Establishing Character Moment]].
* Played straight in ''[[Metroid]] Prime 3: Corruption'' during the first Ridley fight, which occurs as both combatants are free-falling down a fusion generator tunnel about sixteen thousand meters deep. Once Samus polishes off Ridley, Rundas, showing off his powers of ice flight, swoops down the tunnel, [[Big Damn Heroes|catching her a few thousand meters from the bottom]], which also served as his [[Establishing Character Moment]].
* Appropriately enough, Batman:Vengance actually had this as a reoccuring minigame, where the player would have to guide Batman as he dived to catch a falling character, switching between a diving-pose for speed, or a skydiving style spread-out pose for control, until you caught the target, whereupon Bats would automatically grappel to safety- twas pretty cool.
* Appropriately enough, Batman:Vengance actually had this as a reoccuring minigame, where the player would have to guide Batman as he dived to catch a falling character, switching between a diving-pose for speed, or a skydiving style spread-out pose for control, until you caught the target, whereupon Bats would automatically grappel to safety- twas pretty cool.
* In the famous FPS ''[[Battlefield (Video Game)|Battlefield 1942]]'', in a (staged?) gameplay clip, a pilot went and stalled his plane in a vertical climb, and chose to bail out to activate his parachute. Fortunately for him, a two-seat dive bomber was conveniently flying passed a hundred feet below him, in perfect timing, to hitch a ride.
* In the famous FPS ''[[Battlefield (series)|Battlefield 1942]]'', in a (staged?) gameplay clip, a pilot went and stalled his plane in a vertical climb, and chose to bail out to activate his parachute. Fortunately for him, a two-seat dive bomber was conveniently flying passed a hundred feet below him, in perfect timing, to hitch a ride.
* ''Everything Or Nothing'' an original-story Bond game, has this as a basis for an entire level. Notable in that Bond, while freefalling in pursuit of the love interest, can navigate -between- rocky outcroppings. And aim and blast bad guys he is rocketing past.
* ''Everything Or Nothing'' an original-story Bond game, has this as a basis for an entire level. Notable in that Bond, while freefalling in pursuit of the love interest, can navigate -between- rocky outcroppings. And aim and blast bad guys he is rocketing past.
* In [[Final Fantasy X]], Yuna summons Valefor ''in midair'' to catch her as she falls off the tower in Bevelle. Sure, physics might not work that way but hey, it's [[Final Fantasy]]. Besides, ''damn'' [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|that was awesome.]]
* In [[Final Fantasy X]], Yuna summons Valefor ''in midair'' to catch her as she falls off the tower in Bevelle. Sure, physics might not work that way but hey, it's [[Final Fantasy]]. Besides, ''damn'' [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|that was awesome.]]
Line 105: Line 105:


* In a 2008 scene from ''[http://www.alpha-shade.com/0Comics/pages.htm Alpha Shade]'' a girl gets thrown off the deck of an airship during a firefight, and a flier on a giant bird swoops down and tries to catch her. (Not sure if you can link directly to individual pages, but pages can be selected from a drop-down menu - this scene begins on Page 224.)
* In a 2008 scene from ''[http://www.alpha-shade.com/0Comics/pages.htm Alpha Shade]'' a girl gets thrown off the deck of an airship during a firefight, and a flier on a giant bird swoops down and tries to catch her. (Not sure if you can link directly to individual pages, but pages can be selected from a drop-down menu - this scene begins on Page 224.)
* In ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court (Webcomic)|Gunnerkrigg Court]]'', Antimony falls off a bridge into a canyon; [[The Cavalry|the TicToc birds swoop in and grab her mid-air]]. Rather than snatching her up, they simply slow her descent, then unceremoniously drop her once they get to a safe height above the water.
* In ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court]]'', Antimony falls off a bridge into a canyon; [[The Cavalry|the TicToc birds swoop in and grab her mid-air]]. Rather than snatching her up, they simply slow her descent, then unceremoniously drop her once they get to a safe height above the water.
* A building swing variant occurs in this [http://www.shortpacked.com/2009/comic/book-10/01-this-man-this-manhattan/flammable/ Shortpacked!] strip.
* A building swing variant occurs in this [http://www.shortpacked.com/2009/comic/book-10/01-this-man-this-manhattan/flammable/ Shortpacked!] strip.
* Gets used and [[Lampshaded]] in [http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/17p35 this] episode of ''[[The Adventures of Dr. McNinja (Webcomic)|The Adventures of Dr. McNinja]]''. The Doctor jumps off the [[Sky Pirates]]' ship, so they chase after him and catch him in their "lifeboat".
* Gets used and [[Lampshaded]] in [http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/17p35 this] episode of ''[[The Adventures of Dr. McNinja]]''. The Doctor jumps off the [[Sky Pirates]]' ship, so they chase after him and catch him in their "lifeboat".
* In ''[[Homestuck (Webcomic)|Homestuck]]'', as Rose is facing annihilation by meteor, her {{smallcaps|cruxite bottle}} falls into the river. She rushes to the waterfall and jumps to catch it in midair.
* In ''[[Homestuck]]'', as Rose is facing annihilation by meteor, her {{smallcaps|cruxite bottle}} falls into the river. She rushes to the waterfall and jumps to catch it in midair.
** Immediately after grabbing the bottle, Rose herself is caught and saved by Jaspersprite, with scant seconds to spare.
** Immediately after grabbing the bottle, Rose herself is caught and saved by Jaspersprite, with scant seconds to spare.
* In ''[[Spacetrawler]]'', both Emily and Growp get knocked out a window during a fight. Both of them snatch passing hoverbikes to stop their descent... and then crash their bikes into the ground.
* In ''[[Spacetrawler]]'', both Emily and Growp get knocked out a window during a fight. Both of them snatch passing hoverbikes to stop their descent... and then crash their bikes into the ground.
Line 118: Line 118:
== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==


* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'': Sokka falls from Appa in the episode "Avatar Roku", and Aang has Appa dive to catch him. It at least made sense he wasn't injured this time as they went into a dive and slowed down slightly when they were just below him. In the following episode, Appa catches all three main characters as they plunge over the [[Inevitable Waterfall]]. Zuko is also caught in much the same way after falling from an airship during a battle with his sister Azula.
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'': Sokka falls from Appa in the episode "Avatar Roku", and Aang has Appa dive to catch him. It at least made sense he wasn't injured this time as they went into a dive and slowed down slightly when they were just below him. In the following episode, Appa catches all three main characters as they plunge over the [[Inevitable Waterfall]]. Zuko is also caught in much the same way after falling from an airship during a battle with his sister Azula.
* ''[[The Perils of Penelope Pitstop]]'': In "The Treacherous Movie Lot Plot", Zippy catches the other mobsters in his plane as the mechanical ape destroys the other planes.
* ''[[The Perils of Penelope Pitstop]]'': In "The Treacherous Movie Lot Plot", Zippy catches the other mobsters in his plane as the mechanical ape destroys the other planes.
* In the [[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]] pilot movie, Booster catches XR this way.
* In the [[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]] pilot movie, Booster catches XR this way.
* ''[[The Batman (Animation)|The Batman]]'' demonstrates that their version of Hawkman is not [[What Kind of Lame Power Is Heart, Anyway?|a wuss]] by having to do this with ''the entire Batmobile''.
* ''[[The Batman]]'' demonstrates that their version of Hawkman is not [[What Kind of Lame Power Is Heart, Anyway?|a wuss]] by having to do this with ''the entire Batmobile''.
* Also done in [[Batman: The Animated Series (Animation)|the original]], and notable for doing it somewhat ''right'' in at least one instance. In "Old Wounds", Batgirl gets knocked off the tallest building in Gotham by the Joker just as Robin arrives. Robin hits the ejector on his cycle and is propelled up to her. He grabs her just after the apex of his flight (where his velocity is effectively near zero), and deploys his [[Grappling Hook Pistol]], swinging them in an arc to a nearby roof. Arcs, of course, are the safest way to dump kinetic energy without a ''lot'' of padding at the bottom.
* Also done in [[Batman: The Animated Series|the original]], and notable for doing it somewhat ''right'' in at least one instance. In "Old Wounds", Batgirl gets knocked off the tallest building in Gotham by the Joker just as Robin arrives. Robin hits the ejector on his cycle and is propelled up to her. He grabs her just after the apex of his flight (where his velocity is effectively near zero), and deploys his [[Grappling Hook Pistol]], swinging them in an arc to a nearby roof. Arcs, of course, are the safest way to dump kinetic energy without a ''lot'' of padding at the bottom.
* In the pilot of ''[[Tale Spin (Animation)|Tale Spin]]'', Baloo dramatically rescues Kit this way after he's been thrown off a pirate airship.
* In the pilot of ''[[Tale Spin]]'', Baloo dramatically rescues Kit this way after he's been thrown off a pirate airship.
* In an unusual case of the craft doing the falling part, the second season finale of ''[[Justice League]]'', "Starcrossed," has Batman piloting the Watchtower (the League's orbital base) on a kamikaze descent to destroy an alien engine. He's pulled out of the collapsing wreckage by Superman seconds before impact.
* In an unusual case of the craft doing the falling part, the second season finale of ''[[Justice League]]'', "Starcrossed," has Batman piloting the Watchtower (the League's orbital base) on a kamikaze descent to destroy an alien engine. He's pulled out of the collapsing wreckage by Superman seconds before impact.
** This is pretty much what [[Superman (Comic Book)|Superman]] ''does''. Word of advice: If you plan on killing yourself by jumping off a building, don't do it in Metropolis. If you're looking for an exclusive interview, on the other hand, by all means jump out that 30th-story window...
** This is pretty much what [[Superman]] ''does''. Word of advice: If you plan on killing yourself by jumping off a building, don't do it in Metropolis. If you're looking for an exclusive interview, on the other hand, by all means jump out that 30th-story window...
*** Parodied in [[Fifty Two]] when Perry tells a (depowered) Clark Kent that he's losing his edge and tells him he's fired unless he takes something out of his wife's play book. Clark immediately jumps out of the high office window... {{spoiler|and is caught by new hero Supernova, who Clark immediately presses for a story.}}
*** Parodied in [[Fifty Two]] when Perry tells a (depowered) Clark Kent that he's losing his edge and tells him he's fired unless he takes something out of his wife's play book. Clark immediately jumps out of the high office window... {{spoiler|and is caught by new hero Supernova, who Clark immediately presses for a story.}}
*** This is [[Deconstruction|deconstructed]] in [[The Incredibles]]. A guy jumps off a building, Mr. Incredible catches him at an 90-degree angle, smashing through a glass window in the process. Mr. Incredible is [[Hilarity Sues|sued]] for the resulting injuries.
*** This is [[Deconstruction|deconstructed]] in [[The Incredibles]]. A guy jumps off a building, Mr. Incredible catches him at an 90-degree angle, smashing through a glass window in the process. Mr. Incredible is [[Hilarity Sues|sued]] for the resulting injuries.
Line 132: Line 132:
* ''[[Danny Phantom]]'' where Danny rescues Sam from falling to her doom from atop a train passing a tall bridge. She's also rescued in a similar manner by a cop hanging from a chopper in another episode, though we don't see it dive down to catch her in time.
* ''[[Danny Phantom]]'' where Danny rescues Sam from falling to her doom from atop a train passing a tall bridge. She's also rescued in a similar manner by a cop hanging from a chopper in another episode, though we don't see it dive down to catch her in time.
** Danny also saved Sam from a tightrope-induced fall in the same episode as the train.
** Danny also saved Sam from a tightrope-induced fall in the same episode as the train.
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 (Animation)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' (2003): In "Mission of Gravity", Karai and the turtles get dumped out of an airship by Hun. Three of them deploy glider packs to arrest their fall (showing Donatello to be [[Crazy Prepared]]), while Leonardo dives to catch Karai, then deploys. It's slightly more realistic, as their fall ends with a curve from vertical to horizontal, which dumps their kinetic energy in a safer fashion.
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' (2003): In "Mission of Gravity", Karai and the turtles get dumped out of an airship by Hun. Three of them deploy glider packs to arrest their fall (showing Donatello to be [[Crazy Prepared]]), while Leonardo dives to catch Karai, then deploys. It's slightly more realistic, as their fall ends with a curve from vertical to horizontal, which dumps their kinetic energy in a safer fashion.
* In ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]'', Starfire has caught Robin this way more than once.
* In ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]'', Starfire has caught Robin this way more than once.
** And vice-versa, with Robin catching Starfire.
** And vice-versa, with Robin catching Starfire.
* If you're talking about midair rescues from high places, look no further than ''[[Gargoyles (Animation)|Gargoyles]].'' A gargoyle catches a human who's fallen off a building at least every other episode.
* If you're talking about midair rescues from high places, look no further than ''[[Gargoyles]].'' A gargoyle catches a human who's fallen off a building at least every other episode.
* [[Action Man]] does this pretty often. Alex is an expert at the [[Building Swing]], what with his superpowered reflexes, his endless supply of extreme-sport-type grapnels, and his strong arms for snagging the rescuee one-handed. Nothing like a CGI cartoon for making physics look optional.
* [[Action Man]] does this pretty often. Alex is an expert at the [[Building Swing]], what with his superpowered reflexes, his endless supply of extreme-sport-type grapnels, and his strong arms for snagging the rescuee one-handed. Nothing like a CGI cartoon for making physics look optional.
* In ''[[Thundercats 2011 (Western Animation)|Thundercats 2011]]'' a falling Cheetara, having lost a battle with a [[Big Badass Bird of Prey]], is caught by teammate Tygra [[Instant Knots|using his whip]].
* In ''[[Thundercats 2011]]'' a falling Cheetara, having lost a battle with a [[Big Badass Bird of Prey]], is caught by teammate Tygra [[Instant Knots|using his whip]].




Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Catch_a_Falling_Star"