Law #1: No Gun Not Fired

There's an old saying amongst writers: If you put a gun in your story, there's going to be a shot fired before the story ends. If not, there better be a good reason. This applies to every movie, and when a gun is not fired, the movie suffers for it.

This doesn't go for simply guns. Knifes, swords, and even needles apply. They are to be used, or not kept at all.

There are few violations of this, but the few stand out. The one that comes to mind is Bug, where a doctor is in a room with a paranoid couple. We see him with a needle, most likely a sedative, behind his back. We see its there, its in plain view for the audience, athough none of the other characters see it. However, he is killed before he can use it. He is killed before he motions to use it. He is killed and the needle is forgotten about.

What's wrong with this? There are three reasons why they could have put the needle in his hand, yet none are fulfilled and would have made the movie all the more interesting.

First, to better develope the character. His character is already developed. Had we seen this before he went in, a sign that he is prepared, than we would better understand how well he knows the situation he is being put in and his death would be more of a shock.

Second, to have a fight. He could have drawn his needle and not landed his blow, creating a suspenseful fight. He is caught off-guard and killed. So much for looking prepared. He is killed, which had the needle not been in his hand, it would seem more cold-blooded and deranged of a murder, creating greater suspense.

Third, to use it. This didn't happen, which only proves my point that he should have as the alternatives better fit.

There are a few areas that know this law real well. Batman has never showed us a weapon or vechiles' ability he didn't use. Every movie featuring a nuclear explosion has a moment where they come as close as possible to detonating one. It builds the suspense of having a hand over a button.