10 Sci-Fi Favorites
JB's Favourite Sci-Fi Movies
Sep 25 '03
The Bottom Line The best kinds of Sci-Fi movies are the
ones that shakes your system a little and makes you look at the world a bit
differently afterwards.
I kinda make a distinction between Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Sci-Fi
has to have a bit of Science to it, like technology, computers, biology, UFOs
and stuff. Fantasy involves magic, dragons, elves, wizards, witches. Sometimes
it is hard to really place a movie strictly in either category.
So here goes, my 10 recommendations for Sci-Fi(as of NOW, may change LATER).
Not in order of merit:
1) Alien / Aliens: The whole idea of an alien that incubates inside a human,
breaks out through the body, and grows into something so powerful, with acid for
blood just boggles the mind. Beautiful set design. Great mood setting. Good
actors. And of course, Sigourney Weaver. The sequel featured more of the same,
with a script that actually added to the original, something quite rare as
sequels go.
2) Terminator / Terminator 2: This had that interesting Loop-In-Time storyline
that got me thinking about it long after the credits rolled. At the heart of the
movie is a doomed-love story between Michael Biehn and Linda Hamilton that is so
tender and bittersweet it weighs on your mind everytime you think about it.
Again, the sequel adds to the original, with plausible developments of the
characters introduced in the first one. Also introduced the new Terminator of
liquid metal, a nice concept. The 3rd in the Terminator is however a real
letdown.
3) 12 Monkeys: This movie has the same Loop-In-Time device that can give you a
headache if you dwell upon it for too long. I love the ending when the present
and future Bruce Willis meet, albeit briefly. Everything kinda wraps up nicely.
The only thing I find annoying is Brad Pitt, who overacts in this one.
4) Star Wars / The Empire Strikes Back / Return Of The Jedi: This trilogy is
arguably the best Sci-Fi trilogy of all time. The plot is perfect: good vs evil,
a mysterious Force, Jedis, Ewoks, a feisty princess, a naive farmboy turn hero,
an anti-hero with a Wookie sidekick, cool-looking villians. Just WOW! from start
to finish.
5) The Matrix: What is real? The idea that the world as we know it may be just a
programme that is controlling our minds. And Keanu Reeves so bloody cool with
those shades and clothes, and leaping tall buildings and dodging bullets.
6) The Fifth Element: A lot of people don't seem to like this one, but I think
it is great. I think it is fun. I like the whole look of the movie, though I
think Milla Jovovich is rather annoying. My favourite bit is the whole sequence
when the Diva sings with the planet earth in the backdrop and the fight in
perfect timing with the song. There's a bit of magic in this one, so it crosses
into the realm of Fantasy a little.
7) Dune: I loved the book and when the movie came out I rushed to see it. I must
admit I was slightly disappointed, but only because the movie could not really
capture everything the book offered. That much said, I still like the movie. It
looks really wonderful. The worms were brought to life on screen and that is
enough for me to recommend this movie.
8) Minority Report: This movie dealt with some issues that made me think: people
being imprisoned not because they have committed the crime, but that they were
going to. Tom Cruise was good in this movie.
9) Brazil: A Terry Gilliam movie. I'm not too sure if this is really Sci-Fi, but
it is set in a futuristic society. Very satirical, and strangely disturbing. One
of my all-time favourites, I give it 10 out of 10!!!!
10) Gattaca: In the world of this movie, people are judged and rated based on
their genes. Genetic engineering at its worst, where you can create superbeings
through genetic manipulation. And the simple tale of the underdog, Ethan Hawke,
an "Invalid" due to being conceived naturally, overcoming all odds to
fulfill his dreams and finding true love, just makes you want to cheer him on.
Great performances by Uma Thurman and Jude Law makes this one memorable.
Honorable mentions:
1) Johnny Mnemonic: Great idea about having a human be a courier for data.
Interesting plot. The ensemble could be tighter though.
2) Starship Troopers: Silly idea - Alien insects that can cause asteroids to
crash onto Earth. Somehow I can't buy that. But the Arachnids are really cool.
The movie also attempts to layer in shades of Nazism, but doesn't quite carry it
off. The cast looks lovely but are generally rather wooden. I recommend the
movie for the Bugs!
3) Bladerunner: Harrison Ford, need I say more? The whole movie looks cool,
though I find it slightly slow moving.
