Factual error: Fire extinguishers should be prominently displayed with no obstructions around them. The fire extinguisher was attached to a wall between the door and window, but it was partially obstructed or concealed by (artificial?) tree leaves. It also looked like the tree and plants might have been on a table that sets below the fire extinguisher, which could block the approach (wasting valuable seconds). (00:39:25)
Factual error: It's a superhero movie, but the human Catwoman escapes Batman by jumping off the building, onto a train moving at full speed, in a fall that is shown taking at least 10 floors (first shot, she is still upside down) + another 10 (when she flips so she can land on her feet). Over twenty floors of casual, unassisted freefall jump feel a little over the top already, and again, it's on the top of a moving train, that alone should be impossible to happen the way it does here, not affected by the lateral speed of the train at all. (00:10:40)
Factual error: Russell said he served twenty-one years in prison because his last offense - possession of 30 grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute - counted as his "third strike" under California's "Three Strikes And You're Out" statute. When he was on the internet trying to locate his father (instead finding his obituary from 2001), information on the computer indicated it was now 2012. This would mean Russell was incarcerated since 1991 - and further indicates he was sentenced about three years BEFORE California's "Three Strikes And You're Out" statute was implemented. Also, 30g of marijuana is the limit for "personal use", so he wouldn't have been charged with intent to distribute. (00:16:15)
Factual error: The silhouette elephant weather-vane is incorrectly made and would never point into the wind because the elephants are too far forward.
Factual error: Attorney Aegis inappropriately rounded up/down a couple common statistics pertaining to the infamous Ford Pinto case, which resulted in a total that didn't add up: "it would cost the company $11 per Pinto to fix the problem. But with 12 million [should be 12.5] of 'em on the road, that would cost $137 million compared with $50 million [should be 49.5] to maintain the status quo. $137 million to fix a $50 million problem..." But 12 million x $11 = $132 million [not $137 million]. (00:24:38)
Factual error: At the beginning of the movie Richard Jewell is playing an arcade shooting game, this is being upscaled on an HD LCD monitor which were not used in arcade games at the time.
Factual error: During the opening credits, Alec Baldwin and Selma Hayek are driving back to New York. They pass by various buildings, one shot being entirely devoted to a dilapidated Blockbuster video store. That shot must have been archive footage from the UK, since you can see the realtor sign by it, and it's from Carter Jonas, a London based firm, and gives an 01962 phone number (Windsor).
Factual error: The soldier getting picked up by his girlfriend is wearing a US Woodland Camouflage uniform which was phased out in 2012. The Army phased it out in 2004 for the digital Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) and in 2019 for the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). The Marines phased it out in 2002 for the MARPAT Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform. The Navy still retains it for the Navy Seals or special boat crews. The dude in the movie is Army according to his jacket and film takes place in 2019. (00:04:00 - 00:05:00)
Factual error: After they get the key from the game, the lock they open is a modern Kwikset Smart Key cylinder.
Factual error: Drinking a juice box in 1977. They didn't appear in the US until 1980.
Factual error: Most of the action is set in 1988. The prologue with the two little girls is set before or during that year, but the girl scouts are selling "Thindulgent Sandwich cookies", by Sheila G, a brand established after 1992. (00:01:55)
Factual error: The scene where the Jeep gets stopped with its front tires on a lava flow wider than the hood and a lava flow under the cargo area is unrealistic. The lava or rising heat would be enough to damage belts/hoses. Zhang Nan would not be able to stand on the Jeep's hood that long (without injuries/burns) due to the intense heat. Crouching near lava is not as hot, so a person could withstand the heat for a few seconds under certain conditions, but not minutes like Zhang did standing on the hood. (01:09:53 - 01:10:25)
Factual error: It's a hard winter everywhere is film except in the scenes that take place in Denver. In one scene when Coxman kidnaps Viking's son, there are full leaves on trees and cherry blossoms. Moments prior there's a frozen tundra shot coming into Denver.
Factual error: During the FBI briefing, the coordinates of the mosque supposedly in Harlem are shown on screen long enough to allow you to read them. The coordinates are 34.1234379 -117.177613, which would put the mosque somewhere in California. (00:09:45)
Factual error: The protagonist wakes up supposedly at 5 AM of December 2nd in New York City. Outside, the sun is shining, almost two hours too early. (00:00:15)
Factual error: Mohegan Sun casino is in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut does not have legalized sports betting and did not have it in 2012, when the film is set, therefore Julia would not have been able to place Howard's bet.
Factual error: The royal parade is supposed to be of the Yorkshire Hussars, but the filmmakers instead borrowed the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, complete with guns. Although the uniform was similar, the Yorkshire Hussars was a cavalry regiment until the Second World War, when it became an armoured regiment. It was never an artillery regiment.
Factual error: At presentation of the Medal of Honor, the US Air Force Secretary reads the citation that states William H. Pitsenbarger was an Airman First Class (E-3 with 2 stripes) but in the battle scenes William H. Pitsenbarger is wearing the insignia of a 'Buck' Sergeant (E-4 with 3 stripes). (00:14:29 - 01:43:55)
Factual error: There is a modern digital electric meter in the record store - not what it would look like in the era of the movie.
Factual error: Three details were omitted on the Miller's car's license plate: the month was missing in the upper left-hand corner; a "15" (2015) sticker was missing in the center of the plate; and, "Show Me State" was not written at the top below "Missouri." (00:16:46)