Why ticking clocks are good

The ticking clock is an important device that can be used in all genres. Establishing a ticking clock helps build suspense by giving the hero a defined timeline during which he must accomplish his goal. In superhero movies, a ticking clock is nearly always utilized, as Batman, Superman, or Spiderman have to save the girl, the public, or the world from the evil villain's dastardly plan before it's too late. They never have much time, but they always have some time. If the villains acted logically and simply killed their captives or enacted their plan for world domination right away, the hero would have no chance of stopping them and the story would end right there. Conversely, if Mary Jane were kidnapped for an indefinite amount of time, and was in no imminent danger, the goal of saving her from the clutches of the nemesis would have no sense of urgency.

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