Ten Best Science Fiction Films
My friends and I were trying to come up with a list of the top ten Sci-Fi films, and we couldn't seem to agree. Granted, the majority of the films on my list are relegated to the era in which I was alive to see them in the theaters. So I thought I would share my thoughts with my fellow Sci-Fi lovers and see what you all think.
10. The Day the Earth Stood Still -- An all-time classic, and a parable about mankind's potential savagery that maintains to this day
9. Star Trek: First Contact -- By far the best of the ten, First Contact could be enjoyed by Trekkies and non-fans alike
8. Twelve Monkeys -- Time traveling mind trip with Brad Pitt playing a nutcake? What's not to love?
7. Terminator 2 -- One of two instances of the sequel being better than the original, Terminator 2 was actually the first R-rated movie I ever saw. So it will always hold a special place in my heart.
6. Blade Runner -- The best Philip K. Dick adaptation (and there have been plenty). I am still disappointed the big reveal in the book is different from the movie -- typically for me it's the other way around.
5. Aliens -- The second instance of a sequel being better than the original. Bill Paxton deserves an Oscar for his role.
4. Back to the Future -- Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads!
3. Star Wars -- I think it's required by law to include Star Wars in every Science Fiction list
2. The Matrix -- I don't care if it totally rips of Neuromancer, The Matrix made cyberpunk palatable to the masses, and also redefined the level of artistry and storytelling that we should expect from modern cinema.
1. Children of Men -- One of the most beautifully shot and poignant movies I've ever seen. The best Science Fiction doesn't need to remind you it's taking place in the future -- it hits so hard, it doesn't matter.
What do you guys think? What's on your list?
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@McGillicuddy: I like your list, though you're obviously biased towards the last couple decades of the 20th century. But since you copped to it, I guess that's OK. I might substitute Galaxy Quest for Star Trek, simply because that movie (hilariously) covers all the Star Trek bases and at the same time is wholly original. I also love the Abyss, but I hate to put three Cameron movies on the same list, and I agree, ya gotta give love for T2 and Aliens...
Looking at recent movies, I'd say...
1. Save the Green Planet (2003)
2. Tetsuo (1989)
3 Terminator (1984)
4. The Matrix (1999)
5. Existenz (1999)
6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (1984)
7. Being John Malkovich (1999)
8. Strange Days (1995)
9. The Fly (1986)
10. Donnie Darko (2001)
What about Logan's Run or Death Race 2000? They're a little cheesey at times (especially DR2000) but they're classics.
I was watching Matrix earlier and there was a commercial for Wild Bill. There's a Johnny Cash song and I can't find out what it is. It's driving me crazy. If anybody can help me from pulling my hair out I would appreciate it.
@Clayton: I never would have thought about Galaxy Quest without your mentioning it, and I'm not entirely sure it was one of the *best* scifi films, but it certainly deserves an honorable mention. alan rickman, i heart you.
@mistermysterio: I'd have to disagree with you on Donnie Darko. I honestly thought it was a bunch of overreaching, pretentious, self-loving junk. Come on, if you want a good altered-timeline, unreliable-narrator thrill ride, watch Memento.
@dizzy: I agree--I never saw the attraction to Donnie Darko. It seemed like it thought it was much smarter than it actually was, which was, incidentally, the same problem with The Prestige. But that's another matter.
@JIG: Logan's Run and Death Race are, I think, fine films. But being from a bit of a younger generation, their cheese factor can't escape me. While I like them, I could never include them on a top ten list. Same goes for The Last Starfighter **shudder**
Plant of the Apes, the original ones?
Jurassic Park, one of the best.
@Augustis: Jurassic Park is definitely worthy of placement. It got me started on a Michael Crichton kick that still, ashamedly, follows me to this day. No matter how awful his books have become, I still read every goddamn one of them.
Planet of the Apes was always a bit too silly for me to be considered great Sci-Fi. It could be my young age getting in the way again, but talking apes doesn't really do it for me, and the reimagining with Marky Mark was just awful. Maybe some day I'll appreciate it more...
OK a little loving and hating on McGillicuddy's list:
10. The Day the Earth Stood Still -- Brilliant. A no-brainer.
9. Star Trek: First Contact -- You're kididng right? Only two Trek film belongs on any best list, and they are Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. None belong on the best Sci-Fi films of all time list.
8. Twelve Monkeys -- I have to be honest, I saw this one when it first came out and don't remember it enough to comment.
7. Terminator 2 -- Great movie, better than the 1st, agreed.
6. Blade Runner -- Besides The Day the Earth Stood Still, the only one that belongs here.
5. Aliens -- More action than the first, but hardly better. The original belongs here.
4. Back to the Future -- Fun and enjoyable, but way out of place on the list.
3. Star Wars -- I still don't consider this Sci-Fi, even though I enjoyed every frame of it. To me it is a fantasy film.
2. The Matrix --I guess I'm in the minority here and never understood the appeal of this movie. Neato bullet-dodging effects that quickly made their way into TV commercials.
1. Children of Men -- By far the best Sci-Fi movie in recent memory. Gotta love a movie that says "screw you" to convention and box office. I still can't believe distributors didn't mess with the ending to satisfy the masses. Do not go see this with a date.
My list, and in no particular order:
10. The Day the Earth Stood Still
9. Planet of the Apes
8. Blade Runner
7. Alien
6. Forbidden Planet
5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
4. A Clockwork Orange
3. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
2. Brazil
1. This Island Earth
Argh, I meant to say only three Trek films...
Hmmm...it is so hard to pick on one given day. Today I feel I should replace "Close Encounters" with "Metropolis".
What? no love for I, Robot or A.I. ?
By the way, would consider Invasion of the Body Snatchers more a 'horror' then sci-fi, invaders were from outer space, so does that mean The Blob is sci-fi too?
ok from a female sci fi fan here's my faves:
1. star trek:wrath of kahn
2. independence day
3. close encounters
4. the core (sci-fi?)
5. predator
6. i robot
7. species
8. superman
9. day the earth stood still
10. back to the future
ok sometimes theres a fine line between sci- fi and horror or fantasy
oh i forgot the movie signs: most awesome movie
Indydeb,
I think you have some great choices here. I would definitely take out The Core for being one of the most ridiculous movies ever, and I think I, Robot was a bit of a disappointment. Signs I liked, but suffered from one fatal flaw: the aliens travel to a planet where 76% of it is covered by a deadly substance to them? Let's not even talk about humidity.
All around good list though. Wrath of Khan is one of my favorites as well. Khaaaaaaaaaaan!