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fiftytwotwenty · 4 years

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Movie Monday - May 4th, 2020

"Best Science Fiction Film..."

Best Science Fiction Film, a Hotly Debated Topic which we plan to dissect.

First... Let's define the Genre:

Science fiction film (or sci-fi film) is a genre that uses speculative, fictional science-based depictions of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science, such as robots/andriods, interstellar travel, alien world and extraterrestrial life, time travel, and ESP. (wikipedia)

But When in Doubt Follow These Three Simple Rules:

Humans come from Earth

Earth-Based Monsters are created by Scientists/Man (Godzilla)

No Unexplainable Magic or Ghosts

The Dissection:

Let's go Straight to the Juglar... First on the Chopping Block:

Star Wars (1977) is getting the Early Boot for Not Being Fully Faithful to the Sci-Fi Genre - Remember We need an emphasis on Science.

It does depict Interstellar Travel, Alien Worlds, and Extraterrestrials, but it also packs in elements of Magic (The Force) and Ghosts.

And Before Hate Speech Rolls in because I stated Star Wars is Not Sci-Fi Enough or for calling "The Force" magic take it from George Lucas himself. In 2015 he declared Star Wars is not Science Fiction Film but a Fantasy Film in the Guise of a Space Opera.

Sorry to Say on Star Wars Day...so let's Just Let the Fourth be With You.

NEXT UP

Blade Runner (1982) brings a glimmer to my eye whenever I think of it.

A grandiose tale of Man and Android cohabitating in a world of cyber punk.

Packed with Strong Visuals, Stellar Acting, but sadly it's Story, much like it's protagonist, Rick Deckard, has identity issues.

* Granted "Blade Runner 2049" May Answer Fans Unanswered Questions *

Blade Runner has SEVEN Different Cuts which can majorly redirect the protagonist's journey making the movie a vast conversation piece which can split a room.

We Love You, But You Still Have Some Demons to Sort Out.

NEXT UP

Let's Go to April 3, 1968...

Probably one of the Best Days in Cinema... The wide release of Planet of the Apes and 2001: A Space Odyssey:

Yes, both films had earlier premieres to create buzz, but April 3, 1968 is considered the Wide Release for both Films...

Planet of the Apes (1968) is a strong personal favorite and has sparked an intriguing Cinematic Universe with its follow up sequels and strong prequels and we cannot forget its comic and animated series as well. Just imagine the joy, wonder, and discussion Planet of the Apes created in 1968...The Story, The Makeup, The Sets, and The "Damn It All To Hell" Ending...

The movie kicks off with interstellar travel and crash lands into some Heavy Ape-Shit Catastrophe with themes rooted in Race, Slavery, Government, Evolution, Destruction of Humanity, and one can even argue Animal Rights and Time Travel.

Best Science Fiction Film? Sorry, Charlie. What keeps this from Top Spot...

Looking at Production History of the Film a lot scientifically strong elements were striped away during rewrites of Rod Sterling's (of The Twilight Zone) first drafts to help save on the film budget which did lead to a more Primitive/Dystopian feel that we see in the film, but also opened the flood gates for a more Campy Vibe and at times Baffable Dialogue and Plot Points.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is a hardstriking take on Science Fiction. Fans and Critics will state Stanley Kubrick broke the Sci-Fi mold with his stunning detailed filming techniques, brillant cinematography, and his jaw dropping space realism.

The ground which 2001 transverses is mesmerizing. To think Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke started writing the book/script of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1964. The first day of filming was December 29, 1965 - 3 Years, 6 Months, and 21 Days before the Apollo 11 Moon Landing (July 20, 1969). With its Film Production, Film Release, and Majestic Visuals it can be somewhat easy to buy into the Moon Landing Hoax - Some Conspiracy Theorists' actually believe Moon Landing is footage from Stanley's cutting room floor...

But that was Stanley Kubrick - He was meticulous - He studied Educational and NASA space exploration footage and had conversations with Astronomer Carl Sagan so he can make the most realistic depictions of space travel.

So, is 2001: A Space Odyssey the Best Science Fiction Film?

No.

2001 is a strong contender and no one can argue against the film's techinical tenacity, but it's not numero uno.

You can say 2001 was revolutionary for its time, but so was Le Voyage Dans La Luna (1902) and Metropolis (1927).

Or you can say the movie is flawless and that I am just too young and I "don't get it". There is a multitude of things we can say about 2001 in all of it's praise but we then cannot exclude its short comings. The pacing is long winded and the plot is flat so much it pulls it out 1st place contention.

2001: A Space Odyssey is not a movie - It's an Experience - It's Art.

Remember, film being a form of Art and Expression, can be Easily Appreciated but does not have to be Enjoyed.

....

So... We knocked off Blade Runner, Planet of the Apes, and 2001: A Space Odyssey...

What possibly could be Top Dog?

.... Dustin, Drum Roll, Please...

Ridley Scott's Alien (1979):

A Sci-Fi Horror Flick that follows a Crew of a Commerical Space Tugger who answers a distress call from a nearby moon on their way home only to be diminished by a Stowaway Parasitic Threat.

This film is laced with unnerving tension from the beginning which still stands up to the test of time:

Let's start with the cast/crew. Nowadays a Sci-Fi flick is going to be casted with juiceheads - big Hollywood types, but not Ridley's Scott's Alien.

We follow a "down to earth" crew - everyday/humanized characters - which allows for the audience to empathize and increases the threat in dangerous game of cat & mouse on screen (similar formula in Die Hard). And its hard not to mention Ridley Scott introduced the world to one of the First Major Female Action Heroes, Sigourney Weaver.

And Lordy, Lordy, the production design alone! Who can forget the Claustrophobic Maze of the Spacecraft or the Alien in all its forms: The Egg, The Facebugger, The Chestbuester, and the Xenomorph!

Stanley Kubrick never had the CAHONHES to depict any type of Extraterrestrial Lifeforms. Scott took the risk and ever since all other Space Creatures in cinema have stood in judgment and comparison of the Xenomorph since 1979.

Simply, The Movie as a Whole is a Full Tilt Thrill Ride:

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Planet of the Apes (1968)

- 2001: A Space Odyssey

- The Thing (1982)

- Blade Runner (1982)

- Terminator (1984)

- Aliens (1986)

- Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

- Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

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