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In Reply to: RE: Have there been any truly great sci-fi movies in the last five years? posted by Doug Flynn on March 23, 2015 at 14:03:18
Right not so much.
Of course if we include that Chilean movie "Europa Report" which tells an original tale with a unique perspective. Completely off the radar in North America.
Another off the radar film, Under the Skin. Small budget, thin storyline but with a unique perspective and very good cinematography.
I thought Prometheus was a first rate Sci Fi movie with some depth. Not just a prequel or sequel to the Alien franchise. Something more. Scientists go off looking for God (or the ones who made us). Over time I think I respect this film more than I did upon first viewing.
If you go back to 2006 there is Serenity. Its storyline runs parallel to that period in US History just after the civil war where Southern military don't surrender, turn outlaw, begin scratching out a living anyway they can. Like that, the crew of Serenity (type of craft: Firefly) makes its living in odd ways; sometimes running contraband, sometimes hiring out as mercenaries and mostly they are running from the law. (pirates in space?) But they accidentally uncover a government plot that turned civilians into dangerous incredibly vicious cannibal raiders. ( think Viking raiders only they are cannibals) And the finale serves up the cannibals directly into a confrontation with Government forces who thought they were chasing the crew of Serenity. Harrowing journey. High drama. I like this one. True swashbuckling in space.
Avatar. Not certain how to categorize this one. Futuristic Earth expands its outreach into the universe and find other life-supporting planets ripe for exploitation of resources. Planetary imperialism, if you will. The story turns sympathetic toward stone-age natives doomed toward extinction at the hands of the Earthers. Think Spanish conquistadors wiping out the Incas circa 1600's. Only in this movie the natives take a victory.
Not unexpected coming from director James Cameron. His movies tend to have an overt anti-corporate message in them. Same here.
that's about what I can think of...except for...
Cypher. (2002) A made for TV movie about corporate espionage where spies undergo a mental preparation that wipes out memory of their previous selves while conditioning their awareness completely into the new character so thoroughly that the spy can not break under interrogation. Lucy Liu is the best known actor in this one. The story telling allows the viewer to figure this out over time and doesn't learn any more than does the protagonist who has undergone this conditioning. Pretty good surprise ending here.
Star Trek Reboot movies. Same quality level as the original series; kinda corny and grade 'B' entertainment. At least it is there.
I'm still waiting for the next 'good' sci-fi movie. But have doubts.
I predict the Disney reboot of the Star Wars franchise to be a continuation of --made for kids, and liked by many adults-; kind of heroic dramas in space. But the good thing is that Carrie Fisher goes to rehab, gets clean, gets physically fit and gets to play Princess Leia again. yawn. 8^)
-Steve
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