Many would agree that if someone were to say something along the lines of “I heard that movie dropped a big easter egg” then you know that person is a cinephile. You don’t have to be a cinephile to include “easter egg” in your movie-related vocabulary. This term can actually add more curiosity and entertainment into the visual spectacle of movie watching for anyone. So what exactly is an easter egg?
The Origin of Easter Eggs in Film and Media
The story behind the “Easter Egg” is actually quite ironic. The 1980 video game, created by Warren Robinett, called “Adventure” for a game console named the “Atari 60” never included the names of the programmers in the game’s credits, or so they thought. For security purposes, management didn’t want to risk the company’s corporate landscape from being compromised through copyright infringement, bargaining, and so forth. To some, this was unfair and restricted the free flow of information and also prohibited talented creators from revealing what they were rightfully entitled to with pride and credibility. Hence, Warren Robinett inconspicuously created a message that revealed “Created by Warren Robinett” and programmed this message directly into the game “Adventure” specifically in a prohibited area of the map. Eventually, users caught onto the hidden message when their avatars would land on the “gray dot” When management found out about this encryption, they decided to utilize it as a new method for video gaming rather than erasing it. Even though Robinett left Atari 2600, his actions and respect for programmer acknowledgement kickstarted the whole concept of consumers finding Easter eggs.
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The Departed (2006; IMDb: 8.5)
X marks the spot. No, we are not talking about Pirates of the Caribbean or any other pirate story. The X is not some sort of end point on a map where a treasure is expected to be found. Instead, it is more of an abstract hint that appears in The Departed more than once. The departed follows an undercover Boston cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) who attempts to infiltrate a mob run by the infamous Frank Costello (Jack Nickolson), however his task becomes threatened as another criminal named Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) goes undercover to infiltrate the police department. The two end up participating in a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game where the reveal of their true identity is at a race, and even the winner’s life may be at risk. This film is perfect for those who love thrilling suspense, crime, and action.
The Godfather (1972; IMDb: 9.2)
'Orange' you watching closely? Sure, that wasn’t a very clever pun, but the use of the orange is actually quite a clever twist used by the amazing Francis Ford Coppola, specifically in arguably one of the greatest films of all time, The Godfather. Without giving too much away; from backyard patios, dining room tables, office desks, and street fruit stands, the depiction of oranges plays a crucial role in the fate of the character who is in the frame. Based on Mario Puzo’s novel, The Godfather centers around Don Vito Corleone’s (Marlon Brando) powerful Italian-American mafia, where his son Michael (Al Pacino) begins his journey in the toxic life of money, greed, violence, betrayal, corruption, and death. Over time, he begins to gain tremendous power and respect as he navigates his life under his father’s rule and tries to sustain a common ground with his wife Kay (Diane Keaton). For those seeking a film with pure drama and noteworthy performances at its finest, look no further than The Godfather.
The Batman (2022; IMDb: 7.8)
The Batman is set up as a franchise, as expected, hopefully as a trilogy at the very least, due to the fact that the first movie running for two hours and fifty-six minutes includes several of some of the most popular characters plucked from the comic books. That being said, it is no mystery as to how and why there could be so many easter eggs in the first film. It gives consumers the curiosity and inspiration to keep on guessing what villains will be in the next coming films, how they will be introduced, and why they would be introduced in such a way. We already saw the introduction of Oz the Penguin (Colin Farrell), The Riddler (Paul Dano), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), Cat Woman (Zoe Kravitz), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright), Alfred (Andy Serkis), and obviously Brucy Wayne, or Batman (Robert Pattinson). There are too many potential easter eggs in this film that Reeves so surreptitiously included in many scenes, but there are two that appear to be more so on the obvious side of the spectrum (hopefully)
The Batman Deleted Joker Scene
Firstly, in the third act of the film, Batman is clearly struggling in a battle against Riddler’s army of men, and at his last breath, he injects himself with a vile of some sort of adrenaline substance, instantly recharging his senses and turning him into a monstrous badass. This venom-like substance points directly at the comic books in which the supervillain, Bane, uses these vials which contributed to his violent, monstrous, and impenetrable exterior. Not only is the vial a worthy Easter egg in The Batman, there is also another Easter egg that you actually can’t see, but you can hear it. At the very end of the film, Riddler is seen imprisoned inside Arkham Asylum, laughing with an inmate who we cannot see. The laugh, however, is noticeably menacing and creepy, which automatically resonates with the one and only Joker. The infamous villain is confirmed when we hear him say “one day you’re on top, the next you’re a clown.” For any DC or Marvel fanatic, or any lover of the Batman franchise, Matt Reeves has plenty more Easter eggs for you. That is if you can spot them!
Fight Club (1999; IMDb: 8.8)
Who doesn’t love Starbucks coffee? You might get a little tired of consuming a Starbucks coffee after taking a closer look at Fight Club. In fact, if you haven’t noticed that there is a Starbucks coffee cup in the majority of scenes in this movie, you’ll be awake all night long wondering how you missed an Easter egg that was right in front of your nose for two hours and nineteen minutes. What made film director David Fincher decide to utilize this specific Easter egg was due to the whole concept of consumerism, which is basically what Fight Club is all about. Fight Club follows a depressed man (Edward Norton) who suffers from insomnia and has a rather cynical perspective in a world that clearly gives him no joy, until he meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) who introduces him to the world of Fight Club. It is within this “support group” where the man lets go of all his inhibitions, meets a love interest named Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), and immerses himself into a chaotic, uninhibited world. We realize, as the audience, that the man is completely delusional, and Tyler Durden is nonexistent; instead he is his alter ego.
The Starbucks cup is a constant reminder in the film of how media, products, commodities, commercialization, publicity, and so forth is what packages an artificial society that dissolves authenticity and originality. Instead, it only makes copies of stereotypes that consume the psyche. Ultimately, this movie’s Easter egg offers an insightful analysis on film theory and semiotics reflected in the multiple perspectives people have on the world we live in, which makes this movie just as interesting as it is entertaining. If you are looking for a movie with dark humor and action, combined with a challenge to think critically, Fight Club is a solid selection. Just try not to get addicted to coffee!
Jurassic Park (1993; IMDb: 8.2)
Wonder followed by threat is a common theme in evolution. Take Steven Spielber’s Jurassic Park as an example, where paleontologists Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Alan Grant (Sam Neill), along with Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldbum), tour a prehistoric, DNA-created, dinosaur populated island generated by the creative genius John Hammond (Richard Attenborough). In the first act of the film, upon their arrival in a descending helicopter, there is some turbulence, which foreshadows how technology is not indefinite. As the turbulence intensifies, they all put on their seatbelts. Grant realizes he can’t put on his seatbelt because all he is left with is two “female” ends, but since us humans believe there is a way to cheat simple principles, he simply ties the two female ends into a knot. While this Easter egg may not appear as exciting as lets say a Dinosaur egg ready to hatch, it plays a significant role in the whole Jurassic World franchise, because it comes down to the miracles that Mother Nature provides, even deceptively, with evolution being its secret weapon.
Two Female Ends Seat Belt Easter Egg Scene
Around the time the colleagues descend into Jurassic Park, Dr. Grant remarks on the discovery of how West African frogs have the ability to alter their sex, a true example of Mother Nature’s surprises. We then learn, theoretically speaking, how the process of marrying the genetic code of a West African frog with a dinosaur’s genetic code, could result in their ability to mate. In doing so, a world like Jurassic Park, could therefore reproduce a new species of dinosaurs, both female and male. For those interested in science, biology, and evolution, any Easter egg in the Jurassic World installments will leave you fascinated with more questions! Remember, as Ian Malcolm, “life finds a way.”
Release Radar: The Best New Movies and TV Series
Do you need a hint of the latest content? The task of staying up-to-date with the never-ending launches of new TV Series, Movies, and Documentaries available for streaming can be quite daunting. Luckily, our Release Radar has you covered! The best and latest we have to offer comes in all genres, ranging from dramas and comedies, mystery and crime, as well as horror and psychological thrillers. So what are you waiting for? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the perfect films for you.
Explore Our Release Radar – The Best New Movies And TV Series
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