Sci:fi
We were looking for a sci-fi movie to rent tonight and I noticed something I've never really thought of before: Almost all sci-fi movies are also action or suspense movies. It's one of those things we sort of get used to, but why does it have to be? What is it about the future, or space, or technological advancements, or plagues, that requires fighting or threats? Well, maybe plagues. But maybe some of this is just because of the general atmosphere of guyness around sci-fi.
Of course, not all sci-fi fans are guys, and to be fair, not all sci-fi movies are actioners. (Though the one I'm half-watching on local TV now, Alien: Resurrection, is a full-on, unabashed B movie.) The seminal 2001: A Space Odyssey was barely an action film. I confess I haven't seen Solaris, but I understand that isn't either.
One of my favorite non-action sci-fi films is the redundantly named Artificial Intelligence: A.I. Like 2001, it has Kubrick roots, but it was directed by Steven Spielberg. To me, it's the perfect blend of the two artists' styles. I found the film deeply moving, like a dark, futuristic fairy tale.
(But what is it with all the colons?)
Of course, not all sci-fi fans are guys, and to be fair, not all sci-fi movies are actioners. (Though the one I'm half-watching on local TV now, Alien: Resurrection, is a full-on, unabashed B movie.) The seminal 2001: A Space Odyssey was barely an action film. I confess I haven't seen Solaris, but I understand that isn't either.
One of my favorite non-action sci-fi films is the redundantly named Artificial Intelligence: A.I. Like 2001, it has Kubrick roots, but it was directed by Steven Spielberg. To me, it's the perfect blend of the two artists' styles. I found the film deeply moving, like a dark, futuristic fairy tale.
(But what is it with all the colons?)
posted by Steve at
9:25 PM
7 Comments:
Great article and food for thought. All very true. The truly great sci-fi films are the quieter ones. Nice blog
Contact is another example.
The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky was a great sci-fi that was not a action flick.
Thanks!
I gotta check out The Fountain. LOVED Contact. Talk about subverting the dominant paradigms of space travel!
Actually, I think a lot of Sci-Fi movies are comedy or horror.
Hell Dude Where's my Car is Science Fiction, isn't it? So is Third Rock from the Sun? Wall-E?
I don't think I need to pick horror titles out.
I think we tend to think of science fiction as action or thriller oriented because they have historically been the most popular and commercial successful science fiction movies.
You're right, Gryftir, that does skew it a bit.
A great sci-fi film I just saw is Timecrimes. It's a spanish film with a mix of sci-fi and oldtime crime stories theme. really well done flick. it's part of a 6-film series, apparently. The others look good, too. Here's the link - www.sixshooterfilmseries.com. enjoy!
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