Suspension

When a reader sits down with a fantasy or science fiction  novel, they can only enjoy if they can imagine it could be real. In my next epic fantasy series, I want my readers to believe in dragons. In my last fantasy series, I needed my readers to believe in elves, demons and magic. In the more recent science fiction novels I read, I accepted space travel and wormholes as future possibilities. The books are much more enjoyable when we can suspend reality for a little while.

But how far can a writer go before you can't accept the magic or science? Does it stretch my imagination too far to believe a person can fly? Is it too much to imagine aliens wanting our polluted planets? I guess it depends. I know enough science to be dangerous so if I read something that is scientifically implausible, I might stop reading. A vampire that sparkles in sunlight might be too outrageous for me to connect to. However, if the characters are complex enough, the plot riveting enough, it helps me suspend reality easier.

Now there are some silly things we're expected to believe. Does anyone think Superman is unrecognizable because he puts on black-rimmed glasses? Do we really think Tarzan can find a convenient vine to move across the roof of the jungle?

What movie or book as asked you to suspend reality in a way you couldn't quite accept? Anything more blatant than Clark Kent?