History Main / ObstacleExposition

->''"The only person allowed inside has to pass through a series of security checks. First is voiceprint identification. Then, he has to put in a 6 digit code. That only gets him into the outer room. Next, he is positively identified by retinal scan. Finally, the security measures are only deactivated after insertion of a double electronic keycard... which we won't have. Once inside the vault, there are 3 security systems in operation whenever the technician is out of the room. First is sound sensitive; anything above a whisper will set it off. The second is temperature-sensitive. Even the body heat of an unauthorized person inside the vault can trigger the alarm if the temperature rises just a single degree. And that temperature is controlled by an air conditioning vent 30 feet above the vault floor. That vent is guarded by a laser net. The third one is on the floor, and it's pressure sensitive. Just the slightest increase in weight will set it off. And any of these systems, if set off, will trigger an automatic lockdown. Now believe me when I tell you, gentlemen, that all 3 systems are state of the art."''

[[AC:{{Fanfiction}}]]

[[AC:{{Film}}]]

* Also present in shows such as ''Series/Wipeout2008'' and ''Series/AmercianNinjaWarrior''.

** The final round of Nick's ''Series/{{Double Dare|1986}}'' has a laundry list of many different messy and non-messy items for it's obstacle course bonus round.

* ''Series/FunHouse'' is quite guilty of this.

* Pick a fairy tale, any fairy tale. The father who likes to watch prospective sons-in-law die, the little old man you weren't a jerk to, and even the victim of the curse will give you a long, detailed "to do" list. Just to shake things up, you will screw up at least one of the instructions in a WhatAnIdiot moment.

* ''Film/StarWars: Film/ANewHope'' has the briefing before the attack against the Death Star that clearly outlines their mission of hitting the exhaust port and everything that can possible stop them. This includes the need for tactical computers to make such a shot, and for good measure there was an unsuccessful attempt mid-way through the battle.

* The old commercial for the game ''Mouse Trap''. Turn the crank, snap the plank, etc...

A subtrope of DescriptionPorn. See also the IKnowWhatWeCanDoCut, where a plan and its obstacles are described to the audience while the characters are actually executing it.

** ''PansLabyrinth'' mainly follows this formula, but large parts are clearly obfuscated, which sets the audience on edge.

* In the ''FanFic/CalvinAtCamp'' episode "Legends of the Hidden Campus," an AffectionateParody of ''LegendsOfTheHiddenTemple'', Eddy creates one of these that makes the original show look ridiculously easy by comparison. Of course, Eddy blatantly cheats.

* The last round of the old Nickelodeon game show ''LegendsOfTheHiddenTemple'' was always a giant obstacle course, prefaced by a long-winded exposition of the many paths and obstacles within the temple.

** The final round of Nick's ''[[DoubleDare1986 Double Dare]]'' has a laundry list of many different messy and non-messy items for it's obstacle course bonus round.

* ''[[OceansEleven Oceans 11]]'':

* J.D. Roth's Fun House is quite guilty of this.

* ''StarWars Film/ANewHope'' has the briefing before the attack against the Death Star that clearly outlines their mission of hitting the exhaust port and everything that can possible stop them. This includes the need for tactical computers to make such a shot, and for good measure there was an unsuccessful attempt mid-way through the battle.

* In an episode of ''TheFairlyOddparents'' where Timmy wishes to [[TheStoic have no emotions]], federal agents hijack him to give him an insanely dangerous mission, and are shocked when he calmly agrees to the mission after hearing the absurdly dangerous premises.
* In the show ''Archer'', Archer is heard describing the so-called security guarding the ISIS mainframe, while a montage of him bypassing each section in turn plays. Subverted in that he is actually just describing the security to Cheryl, in hopes that she, as a front desk secretary, has the ability to make it easier for him.

* The book version of ''Literature/TheManWithTheGoldenGun'' is even older than the ''MissionImpossible'' example, as it details the inner workings of how MI-6 (nee Universal Exports) deals with people claiming to be James Bond.

-->-- ''Mission Impossible''

-->''"The only person allowed inside has to pass through a series of security checks. First is voiceprint identification. Then, he has to put in a 6 digit code. That only gets him into the outer room. Next, he is positively identified by retinal scan. Finally, the security measures are only deactivated after insertion of a double electronic keycard... which we won't have. Once inside the vault, there are 3 security systems in operation whenever the technician is out of the room. First is sound sensitive; anything above a whisper will set it off. The second is temperature-sensitive. Even the body heat of an unauthorized person inside the vault can trigger the alarm if the temperature rises just a single degree. And that temperature is controlled by an air conditioning vent 30 feet above the vault floor. That vent is guarded by a laser net. The third one is on the floor, and it's pressure sensitive. Just the slightest increase in weight will set it off. And any of these systems, if set off, will trigger an automatic lockdown. Now believe me when I tell you, gentlemen, that all 3 systems are state of the art."''
--->-- ''Mission Impossible''

* In ''TheMatrixReloaded'', the obstacles needed to overcome before Neo can open that final door are narrated in the background, during a montage of the teams accomplishing their tasks. It only switches to regular pace when Soren's team fails. The video game ''Enter the Matrix'', however, details the adventures of Niobe and Ghost at the power plant that were not covered in the movie.

** Fun bit: The film ''Entrapment'' also has a sequence like this; during the montage in a possible ShoutOut to Mission: Impossible, the man who runs the [[MillenniumBug [=Y2K=]]] bank system shutdown critical to the attempted $8 billion heist also ran the CIA room that was thieved in M:I.

* ''SavingPrivateRyan'' completely set up the strategy and purpose of their LastStand, including "The Alamo" and blowing up the bridge if the enemy troops get too close.

* Subverted in ''Series/{{Stargate SG-1}}''. Jaffa Master Bra'tac details the massive defenses between the team and the ship's AppliedPhlebotinum, which they will have to fight their way to... at the bottom of a large shaft that they are standing next to. O'Neill shrugs and drops several grenades down the shaft.
* ''{{Firefly}}'' episode "Trash" plays out in much the same way as the ''Film/TheMatrix Reloaded'' example, except for things going awry at a different point.

** Fun bit: The film ''Entrapment'' also has a sequence like this; during the montage in a possible ShoutOut to Mission: Impossible, the man who runs the Y2K bank system shutdown critical to the attempted $8 billion heist also ran the CIA room that was thieved in M:I.