The top science fiction movies provide an escape, often into outer space, but always exploring the human spirit. One way or another, great science fiction takes you into another world filled with wonders, dangers and excitement.
Sometimes it’s a warning (The Day The Earth Stood Still, 1951), a discovery (Planet of the Apes, 1968), a visit here on Earth (Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977 and E.T., 1982), a time travel (Back To The Future, 1985 and Twelve Monkeys, 1995), a step into the future (Escape from New York, 1981, Robocop, 1987 and Children of Men, 2006), an exploration of the mind (Total Recall, 1990 and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 2004).
The following ten science-fiction movies (with a bonus thrown in) succeed in entertaining and amazing their audiences with spectacular special effects, fascinating worlds, thought-provoking stories, and a hero who rises up to the challenge to help save the world.
All are available in different editions on dvd (best edition is suggested with each entry and Blu-ray noted if available) at stores/websites like Wal-Mart (www.walmart.com), Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com) and Barnes and Noble (www.barnesandnoble.com) or online websites such as Amazon (www.amazon.com), Overstock (www.overstock.com) and Deep Discount (www.deepdiscount.com). Keep in mind new editions will eventually include digitally remastered pictures and sounds, especially on Blu-ray.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Director Stanley Kubrick really took his audience into outer space for the first time back when the movie was released in 1968. A long sequence outside a spaceship has nothing except the breathing of an astronaut (Keir Dullea) putting you right in his boots. The pace is leisurely but always majestic. The audience is introduced to HAL, the computer that runs the spaceship. He becomes not only the focal point of the movie but also the most intriguing character. The mystery behind Jupiter endures with its message of hope. “2001: A Space Odyssey” takes you out there and it remains a fascinating ride.
(2-disc Special Edition, also available on Blu-ray)
It’s easy to forget how much fun the original two movies truly are. They have a real sense of adventure. The innocence of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) allows the audience a way into the story as other characters are introduced, including Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher). Director George Lucas did more with less back then, focusing on the story, establishing the great villain Darth Vader (David Prowse, voice by James Earl Jones) only to reveal a huge secret in grand fashion at the end of “The Empire Strikes Back.” These movies provide fun, laughter, breathtaking battles in outer space, and exciting new worlds. Renamed “Star Wars Episode 4-A New Hope” and “Star Wars Episode 5-The Empire Strikes Back.”
(2-disc 1977 & 2004 Versions for “Star Wars” & 2-disc 1980 & 2004 Versions for “The Empire Strikes Back”)
“Mad Max” and “The Road Warrior” heavily influenced filmmaking, creating a subgenre of post-apocalyptic movies in the 1980’s. Director George Miller designed a desert landscape that became the prototype for countless movies to follow. What remains so potent about these films is the stark cinematography, emergence of a leading star (Mel Gibson) and the incredible action stunts. Despite not saying much (especially in the sequel), Max is a charismatic hero feeling a lot of pain after a biker gang kills his wife and child. You feel his pain and cheer him on when he avenges their deaths because the movie takes the time to establish the characters. In the sequel, Max reluctantly helps a small group of people escape from vicious bandits. It leads to a spectacular car chase that remains one of the best action sequence ever made. The world established by Miller, including the exploration of a society breakdown, has been imitated many times since but remains unrivaled.
(Special Edition for “Mad Max” and regular version for “The Road Warrior” desperately in need of a newer version; “The Road Warrior” also available on Blu-ray)
Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
There have been many Star Trek movies, including a prequel of sorts in 2009, but this second film in the series is by far the most entertaining. Director Nicholas Meyer and the original television cast are at the top of their game in the story of a man Khan (Ricardo Montalban) left on a desolate planet by Captain Kirk (William Shatner). Khan becomes a formidable foe as he seeks revenge; the cat and mouse provides spectacular battles, humor and great suspense. The audience feels right in the middle of the battle inside the Enterprise. The story also permits the characters to become more fully-formed, including an unexpected sacrifice (until the sequel, of course). This “Star Trek” movie is always engaging, filled with excitement and a sense of being in the middle of a war deep in outer space.
(2-disc The Director’s Cut; also available on Blu-ray)
Not well received at the time of its release, “Blade Runner” changed the landscape of science-fiction with its bleak, film noir world with unique unparallel set designs, which have been imitated countless times but never outdone. Director Ridley Scott’s visions remains visually striking while exploring what it means to be human. A cop (Harrison Ford) is ordered to track down and terminate four replicants (robots) only to be saved by the last replicant, Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer). “Blade Runner” unfolds like a great mystery, taking its time to get to the crux of the story, and is always visually captivating. There may not be flying cars but “Blade Runner” feels more real today than at the time of its release.
(5-disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition; also available on Blu-ray)
The Terminator (1984)/Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
“The Terminator” spawned a whole slew of robotic movies for many years, while its sequel “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” spearheaded the advance of CGI technology. The first movie was made on a low budget but you’d never know from its terrific visual effects and excellent pace from director James Cameron. The opening is a great example of establishing plot during an action sequence as Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) explains to Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) why her life is in danger as they’re being relentlessly pursued by a robot from the future (Arnold Schwarzenegger). The screenplay accommodates enough background in the war between man and machine and provides a love story that fits organically. The sequel raises the budget and brings in spectacular special effects with the character T-1000 (Robert Patrick), a fluid, more powerful robot. Blending with its environment is just one of its many abilities. Amazing CGI at the time of its release still holds up well today. What sets “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” apart from the other sequels and countless imitators is a central story between John Connor (Edward Furlong) and a machine (Schwarzenegger, now a hero), who becomes a father figure to the young boy. The switch of the parents, with a buff Hamilton becoming the “male” and Schwarzenegger taking a more “female” role, also adds another interesting element to the story. The role of machines in our world goes along with the impressive action to create a memorable film.
(Special Edition for “The Terminator” and 2-disc Extreme Edition for “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and also both available on Blu-ray)
Aliens (1986)
The best creature feature ever, “Aliens” has it all: spectacular action, captivating worlds, solid story, and above all, great characters played by a perfect cast. Director James Cameron lets the story establish the return of Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) from a long sleep (following the events in the original “Alien”) while introducing a bunch of engaging marines (played by a great supporting cast). The audience discovers Ripley lost a daughter due to time, allowing her to later create a bond with Newt (Carrie Henn), a little girl surviving alone on an alien planet. It is this connection that grants Weaver to give one of the best performances in the genre (she was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar). She drives the film (with Cameron’s muscular and thrilling direction) and gives the story an emotional weight not often found in this type of movie. The rest of the characters are also well defined as you come to care for them. The ending features the battle of all mothers, Ripley against the alien queen, and remains sensational and the ideal resolution. Intense, thrilling, emotional and ultimately satisfying, “Aliens” is an accomplished movie that sets up its story, then takes off (once they land on the planet) and becomes an exciting roller-coaster that knows to pause and allow the characters to breathe.
Set in a city with no sunlight (only nighttime), this underrated movie begins with John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) waking up with amnesia and being pursued by strange men in trench coats and mysterious powers. He uncovers his identity and tracks down his wife (Jennifer Connelly) while trying to recover his memories. Director Alex Proyas creates an amazing visual world (with a great reveal later in the movie) while exploring the mystery of the identity of John Murdoch and the men following him. The mystery involves the manipulation of memories and the effects it has on people and the physical changes in the city (when it reorganizes itself). It all comes together for a beautiful ending in broad daylight (seen for the first time at the end of the movie). Leisurely paced but a marvel visually with a solid story.
(Director’s Cut; also available on Blu-ray)
The Matrix (1999)
A defining science-fiction movie with its mix of inventive visuals, allegorical story, kinetic fight choreography, and an imaginative comic book style. Directors Andy and Larry Wachowski dazzle from the opening rooftop chase scene involving a leather-clad woman (Carrie-Anne Moss) and police officers. She defies gravity and soon disappears inside a telephone – and it just gets crazier from there. The religious allusions and philosophical questions abound as Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) discovers things are not what they seem in his world. Once he takes the red pill, the story pulls back to reveal a world controlled by machines. The fertile imagination of the Wachowski Brothers keeps the audience guessing what they will see next as they follow Neo and discover the world along with him. The action not only stands out but complements the story. “The Matrix” grabs you immediately and never lets up, going through one fascinating development to the next. The ending leaves a lot to the imagination and satisfies thoroughly.
Sparkled with inventive visual effects and an intelligent story, “Minority Report” has a menacing yet hopeful tone, a mix of dark and light. Set in a futuristic yet believable world, the special effects enhance the story of John Anderton (Tom Cruise) on the run after being accused of murder – even though it has yet to occur. Such is the world of Philip K Dick’s original story. Three pre-cogs (psychics) can predict the future and see crime before it happens. Their record has been spotless so how can Anderton be innocent? The suspense increases effectively as the story progresses, pulling the audience into the lead character’s shoes. The futuristic world is fascinating: personalized advertising at the mall, eye scanning everywhere you go, and cars cling to the side of buildings as they slide down to highways. Director Steven Spielberg keeps things moving at a heart-pounding pace but pauses enough to give Cruise and Max von Sydow, shadowy great as usual, a chance to give the story some emotional weight. Solid science-fiction from beginning to end.
(2-disc Special Edition)
Solaris (2002)
Underrated psychological science-fiction movie effectively combining a love story and the mysteries of an enigmatic planet. Director Steven Soderbergh is not afraid to take risks with the material, creating a moody yet elegant movie. Chris Kelvin (George Clooney) arrives at a space station and finds his dead wife (Natascha McElhone). Is he seeing things, or are there strange forces at work in outer space? Soderbergh flashes back to Kelvin’s life on Earth and his relationship with his wife before her suicide. The traumatic memories open emotional floodgates, resulting in a haunting love story. The visual effects are perfectly dreamy and Cliff Martinez’s score is celestially beautiful. Slow paced but intriguing, “Solaris” strikes at the heart and imagination on a voyage of the mind as much as outer space.
(Original release)
The top science-fiction movies succeed in taking the audience to another world – a unique and visual place. These films feature a hero at a disadvantage who must rise to the occasion. They blend special effects with an intelligent storyline. The best science-fiction movies spark the imagination and leave an emotional imprint on the viewers long after the credits roll.
