Deus ex machina

Deus ex machine is a term meaning that throughout a plot of a story there is an unattainable problem. Yet, suddenly, a greater form saves the day. This could either be a piece of technology, a character, or some higher form in nature. To put it in simpler terms as professor Echeverry said, "Technology saves the day."

After browsing online, I was able to find many good examples of this in various pop culture movies, comics, television shows, and animations. 

First, there is Toy Story 3. At the end of the movie, out of nowhere, the claw appears saving the day and many of the characters. Taken quite literally as a deus ex machina example, "its arrival is accompanied by a choir of angelic voice on the soundtrack" (1). 

Scene from Toy Story 3

Secondly, The Wizard of Oz is another great example of the use of deus ex machina. Again, at the end of the movie, there seems to be nothing left for the heroes of the movie to do besides fall to their death. Yet, due to Dorothy accidentally spilling some water on the wicked witch, the villain ended up "melting" to her death. In this case, the water acts as the saving force (2).  

Witch melting in The Wizard of Oz

Finally, my last example is from my favorite movie Jurassic Park. Just when it seems there is no hope for all the characters due to the number of raptors they are surrounded with, a t-rex appears out of nowhere, leaving time for the distressed heroes to run away. 

"When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth"

Overall, this is a great technique to use and it always leaves the audience excited and surprised when a force that one does not expect, saves the day. 

1. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeusExMachina

2. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeusExMachina

3. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeusExMachina