Seeing as I did the best Sci Fi novels quite a few months ago,
I figured I should probably get around to doing the greatest sci-fi movies of
all time. As with the best sci-fi novels, for a film to be ranked as one
of the best, it needs to be both accurate - and enjoyable. I'm not interested
in films that are accurate but also boring.
1.Interstellar.
Some would say that this film went on for far too long,
seeing at it went on for almost 3 hours and had so many ploy conveniences and
coincidences. The ending also divides viewers with many seeing it as brilliant
but with others seeing as scientific fantasy. But Interstellar did so many
things brilliantly - including hiring Hans Zimmer. Interstellar is one of the
few films set in space that avoids aliens invading Earth and focuses more on
philosophical themes, like the survival of humanity and its place in the
universe. Interstellar also was incredibly accurate, with the film working with
physicist Kip Thorne, a leading expect in astrophysics and professor at
Caltech.
The black hole Gargantua is one of the most realistic
depictions of a black hole ever and the idea of time dilation seen in the film
is actually accurate. General relativity means that near a massive object, such
as a black hole, time for someone near the black hole will move slower than for
somewhere further away. It is entirely scientifically possible that
someone stuck on a planet could age differently than someone nearby.
Still, Interstellar does have its inaccuracies. There is no
evidence that humans could access time like a 5D library and messages being
sent via gravity is purely theoretical. The main characters would
probably not have survived near the black hole either. Wormholes, shortcuts
through spacetime are also theoretically possible and are predicted by
Einstein's equations. It is however important to note they have never been
physically observed- although the portrayal of what a wormhole would look like
is scientifically correct.
The science aside, Interstellar's epic scale and emotional
stakes make the plot almost addictive. This is a film that combines humanity's
survival with the depth and complexity of fatherhood.
2.Gattaca
Gattaca is built around genetic engineering and eugenics,
and it's so well done that even in the decades following its release and the
subsequent developments in genetic research, it still feels like a warning and
not a fiction. Arguably, Gattaca is becoming more relevant .
Genetic engineering is something that is becoming more and
more of a possibility. It may be a case that parents can one day pay to make
sure their child has certain genes but doesn't have genes that are considered
detrimental to the child's success. The main character Vincent Freeman does not
undergo any genetic editing but his genetic profile indicates a high
probability of several disorders and estimated lifespan of approximately 30
years ago. The audience is instantly to confront the ethics of genetic engineering
- wouldn't most parents wish for a chance to extend the life of their child,
reduce their risk of pain and suffering, and allow them to be the absolute best
version of themselves?
Gattaca does not rely on spectacle but psychological
tension. Instead of focusing on the science behind the genetic engineering, the
story focuses on the man with inferior genetics, fighting against a bias
system. In Gattaca, a genetic registry classifies those created by genetic
engineering as 'valid' whilst those conceived naturally are known as
'in-valids', Whilst genetic discrimination is illegal, genotype profiling
allows valids to quality for professional employment while in-valids are
relegated to menial work. Whilst genetic discrimination is not something
the audience would be familiar, discrimination for characteristics outside of a
person's control certainly is.
What also makes Gattaca so well done is that many of the
so-called 'valids' are found to be suffering in various ways. One character
Jerome, an Olympic swimmer, falls into a deep depression after placing silver;
to him, he was designed to be the best and yet is somehow not.
Gattaca also doesn't rely on fancy futuristic gadgets and
environments full of CGI. The future seen in Gattaca appears to be a slightly
altered version of the world we know today. This makes Gattaca seem much more
believable and even more unsettling.
All in all, Gattaca is one of the most thought provoking, but
still relatable, sci-fi films that has been created.
3.The Martian
The novel the film was based on is included on my list of
best sci fi novels, and the film itself undoubtedly deserves to be recognised
for the marvel that it is. Whilst aliens coming from Mars are a common theme in
science fiction, the Martian manages to turn this around completely. The
titular Martian isn't some space creature trying to destroy earth - it's Mark
Watney stuck on an alien planet, technically becoming an 'alien' himself.
Instead of trying to destroy or defeat a hostile lifeforce, the only antagonist
is an environment that is just indifferent to whether Watney lives or
dies.
What truly makes the Martian a brilliant sci -film is how
logical and grounded every step is, with real science being used to solve every
problem. The science seen is precisely that- real. The Martian is known
for being one of the most accurate sci-fi stories ever made. The botany
used to grow potatoes, the chemistry used to make water and the engineering
used to fix experiment is not just theoretically possible - it is practical.
Plants have been grown in Mars-like simulants on Earth using methods shown by
Mark Watney. Creating water using hydrogen plus oxygen is basic
chemistry. Even the rendezvous in orbit as unbelievable as it might seem is
grounded in real orbital physics. Still, even the best sci-fi films aren't
perfect. The opening storm that kickstarts the entire plot is completely
unrealistic. Mars' atmosphere is just too thin to produce that level of
force.
Despite its logical, grounded and controlled sensationalism
the Martian is incredibly compelling. In my opinion, there are two reasons for
this. One reason is how real and clear the stakes are - the running out of food
or equipment failures. A degree is not required to understand any of it
which makes it so much more engaging. The character of Mark Watney is the
second reason. Mark Watney, wonderfully played by Matt Damon, is humorous and
resilient. But he also shows relatable moments of despair and doesn't develop
into the cliched human superhero that so many sci films rely on. He's a normal
guy, who downplays just how elite he must logically be. To be one of the first
astronauts on Mars, Mark Watney, who describes himself as 'just' a botanist
must be absolutely extraordinary and one of the most highly trained individuals
on Earth. He comes across as casual and self-deprecating - and we the audience
actually get to see where he goes wrong. We see his mistakes and his
frustration. It's a degree of relatability that you rarely see in sci -fi
films.
4. Contagion.
It's a bit controversial to call this a science fiction film
and probably even more controversial to rate it on my best sci films list but
bear with me - there is method to my madness.
At its core, sci-fi is arguably about exploring science and its
impact. Contagion does absolutely do that by looking at epidemiology and virus
transmission. There's no futuristic tech or speculation - everything in this
film is plausible - as seen in the COVID 19 pandemic. This film was initially
released in 2011 but experienced a surge in popularity during said pandemic-
for obvious reasons.
The film is scarily accurate. There was no exaggeration in
the exponential growth of the virus, and human contact chains. There was no
miracle cure, just trial, error and time. The film didn't just show the
virus - it also showed social breakdown with misinformation spreading, panic
buying and distrust. As we sadly learnt from the pandemic, this is incredibly
accurate. The film itself was inspired by real-life outbreaks such as the
2002-2004 SARS outbreak, and screenwriter Scott Z Burns worked with
representatives of the World Health Organisation, and medical experts.
Of course, accuracy isn't just the only factor in a good
sci-fi film. The film tracks doctors, scientists, government officials and
ordinary citizen, giving a plot that is global and interconnected. The film is
presented with minimal melodrama, meaning that when major events occur, they
seem more shocking - but even more real and unsettling. The film's explicit
tracking of time really reinforces the realism of the fil, making it been more
immersive and believable. The film even still manages to create mystery and
suspense - by not revealing the source of the virus until the absolute
end. Instead of several films, where the audience knows more than the characters,
the viewer is placed in a situation where they know just as much as the
characters desperately trying to track down the virus and its victims.
5.2001: A Space Odyssey.
This space epic was released in 1968 and is still widely
considered one of the greatest sci fi films ever- and one of the greatest films
ever made. The film is recognised for its scientifically accurate
depiction of spaceflight and its pioneering special effects.
At the time it was amazingly forward-thinking, having
consulted scientists and engineers. The rotating space station and ship
is based on centripetal force which is still a leading concept in real space
habitat design today. The satellite technology seen, with orbital
satellites and space stations, was current technology. Meanwhile,
HAL 9000 was one of the earliest serious portrayals of AI and was inspired by
real concerns about automation.
There were inaccuracies and speculation. The timeline of
human space presence was optimistic to say the least. But what the film did
incredibly well was showing the realism and scale of space. It also got key
ideas right - for example, AI becoming a major force, and the idea of long-term
human space habitation. Before this film, sci -fi films were full of
monster movies and space adventures. 2001 Space Odyssey began a new era where
sci-fi became serious cinema, with realistic science becoming central.
What was also incredibly well done with 2001: A space
Odyssey is how ambiguous the themes are. Unlike a vast number of sci-fi films,
A Space Odyssey is incredibly philosophical. Conventional cinematic techniques
are avoided - but a wide range of themes including human evolution,
extra-terrestrial life and artificial intelligence are still explored.
As well as this, the sound in the film is amazing. Dialogue
is used sparingly, helping the audience actually appreciate the silence and
vastness of space. Long sequences are accompanied only by music; but
instead of using original music, classical music is used. This results in
sequences that are both visually and audially beautiful.
It is fair to say that without 2001, the other films
mentioned in this list would not have ever been made.
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